One Dark Window (The Shepherd King, #1)

by Rachel Gillig

Anyone could use them—all it took was touch and intention. Clear your mind, hold a Card in your hand, tap it three times, and the Card was yours to wield.

Its tone was male, a hiss and a purr—oil and bile—sinister and sweet, echoing through the darkness of my mind.

“There once was a girl,” he murmured, “clever and good, who tarried in shadow in the depths of the wood. There also was a King—a shepherd by his crook, who reigned over magic and wrote the old book. The two were together, so the two were the same: “The girl, the King… and the monster they became.”

I had seen that hue of velvet before. Burgundy—rich and blood red. The second Nightmare Card.

“That’s twice you’ve handed me my ass and run off.”

like the bad bitch she is

Pressing a bloody ear to the door, I should think.

“Can I kiss you?” My voice shook. “A bit late to ask, isn’t it?” “Not on your mouth, Elspeth.”

OOOOOHHHH MY GOD

He looked stupidly handsome, smug to his boots.

that fucker