Chapter 161 The Bargain

• “Who...what are you?"
• The words stumbled out of my mouth, barely louder than a breath. My throat felt dry, raw, like I had swallowed a handful of needles. The man—or whatever he was—stood so still, his blood-red eyes fixed on mine, glowing like embers in the gloom.
• He tilted his head, lips twitching into something that wasn’t quite a smile. "Just passing by," he said casually, his voice smooth like silk soaked in poison. "Saw you wandering. Thought I’d say hi."