Free Revenant by Catrina Burgess

Indonesia.” He raised it until it was at my lips, watching me
expectantly.
    He wanted to feed me? That was a gesture more common between lovers. What
would happen if I refused? I hesitated for a moment before taking a bite. It
tasted like pineapple and kiwi.
    He gave me a smile. “Isn’t it tasty? I like to surround myself with exotic things.” He’s looking at me with such…intensity .
    A shudder went down my spine. Sonja said that Gage “desires” me . The
thought made me nauseous.
    Steeling myself, I asked the question that had been zooming around in my
head since he’d abducted me. The one question I’d been too scared to ask up
until now. “What do you plan to do with the zombies?”
    He sat down in a chair and motioned for me to sit next to him. “Our mutual friend has a dark side.” He
laughed as though he’d just told a joke. “I have a taste for the finer things
in life, but our friend has one deep desire—to create chaos.” He watched
a group of people drinking wine at a nearby table. “The world is always on the
brink of war. People are always itching for a reason to destroy each other.”
    When he went silent, I prompted him. “And do the zombies give them that
reason? How?”
    He reached out and grabbed a handful of grapes. “Imagine a thousand
undead suddenly appearing in Times Square.” He dropped the grapes onto his
plate, watching the fruits scatter and roll. “Picture them ripping through the
terrified crowd, tearing folks limb from limb.” His eyes shining, he gave me a
wide smile. “Everyone in the magical community is already at each other’s
throats.” He reached out, grabbed my hand, and planted a kiss on it. “We have
you to thank for that bit of chaos. The death dealers, who were once the most formidable group, are now on the run. Word
has spread about what we’re trying to accomplish here. Any death dealers tired
of playing by the rules—rules that have made them weaker and weaker over
the years—are coming here, seeking my protection. I’m more than happy to
welcome them into my ranks. It is truly sad to see how far they have fallen.
There was a time when no one was brazen enough to try and take on the death dealers.
How times have changed. Whole guilds
have fallen to angry mobs or the Redeemers . The general population is just itching for a reason to go after all the mage-born. Why
not give it to them? Hand it to them on a silver platter.”
    I stared at him in horror. “Why massacre so many death dealers if you
want them to join you?”
    He gave a wave of his hand. “Motivation, of course! You think they'd just
come running to me if they weren't dying right and left? I have the Redeemers
to thank, really—after all, they are my scapegoats.” I stared at him,
wide-eyed, and he continued. “Think how glorious it will be. Everyone will
start fighting each other, and with that chaos comes exciting possibilities.”
    “That’s what you want? Chaos?” I whispered.
    He brought his face close to mine and said in a low voice, “No. That’s
what our friend wants. I’m more
interested in power. Being at the side of such a dark creature puts me in the
perfect spot. Opportunities will arise for me to assist the most powerful
beings in the universe. A demon can’t be bothered with day-to-day
administrative hassles. I’m more than happy to step in and help out where I
can.”
    “And take whatever you can,” I said through clenched teeth.
    He leaned back and gave me a grin. “Of course. And in this glorious
adventure, I could use allies.”
    I didn’t say a word, just sat shaking my head back and forth.
    He rolled a grape between his fingers. He watched me for a few minutes in
silence before saying, “You’ve been wonderful so far. All you have to do is go
along with our plans and your friends will be safe.”
    “And if I don’t?” I demanded.
    His voice and eyes turned cold. “Then everyone you care for dies.” After giving me a long look , his mood