The blade struck its mark.
Darkness swallowed Shadow’s eyes. “Since you’ve remembered so much now, then you’ll do well to remember that we had a deal. And that your son’s life hangs in the balance of that deal.”
Maeve continued her slow breaths, just as she’d been taught by her father. In and out. In and out. Each set stoking the Magic flowing freely through her.
How could she have buried such an undeniable extension of herself?
“I kept my bargain,” continued Maeve. “I stayed away. Your failure to win his heart is not my burden to bear.”
Shadow was anything but bored now. The air turned oppressive, volatile as darkness wrapped her pale body.
Maeve turned her attention to Mal.
“I did fail you, though.”
His green eyes shifted. Maybe it was just a trick of the thickening mist of darkness, but she swore a tiny fleck of hazel drifted through them.
She looked down at her chest, and the starburst scar of Magic remained. She remembered then how she had removed it. That hadn’t been an illusion, or a lie, or a trick of mind Magic. That removal was real. Her chest ached at the feeling, recalling how desperate she had been to protect Maxius.
“I won’t fail again.”
She anticipated the blow. As Mal’s Magic coiled back and prepared to strike on Shadow’s behalf, Maeve readied two fingers at her side.
Chapter 19
Something reminiscent of a smile tugged at Mal’s lips as his eyes watched her fingers with predatory intent.
“There’s so much more than even I could have imagined,” said Mal. “You hid him from me. . .multiple times. You even hid him from both of us.”
“Because thatthingdraped across your throne puts Maxius in danger.”
“In my defense,” said Shadow, a mock hurt in her voice, “I was content with keeping him alive so long as you kept him away. It’s hisdear daddyhere who wants to absorb his power. That’s the part I can’t allow.”
Mal turned sharply over his shoulder and focused his attention on Shadow.
“He only wants that because you have poisoned his mind,” seethed Maeve.
Shadow barked a laugh. “Surely you understand the irony of such an accusation coming from yourself?”
“You’ve corrupted his Magic,” argued Maeve. “It’s not the same.”
Shadow’s eyes narrowed. “He will always be driven to become one with the Dread Magic that lies dormant in your son. It’s written in Magic. It’s a shame you aren’t more in tune with your own blood, Little Viper. There’s so much you can’t see. It almost makes me pity you.” She paused. “But you are in my way. And so is your son.”
Maeve attempted to settle her mind. She’d never get him out of this if she couldn’t think straight. Shadow’s oppressive Magic blurred her thoughts, dragging some and spiraling others.
“There’s a way out of this,” said Shadow, her voice slick with deception. “I’ll give you a little do over.”
Maeve stilled.
“Tell her our price, Malachite,” said Shadow.
Mal turned his attention back to Maeve. Her heart ached at the sight of him. At how his eyes held nothing even close to what they once did.
“The spell you created to alter the world’s memories. You will give it to me.”
Maeve hadn’t been expecting that. She’d assumed some blood sacrifice, or a vow of Magic, would be demanded of her. Mal continued.
“When I began hearing you in my head, the first thing I did was scour the Dread Spellbook for anything resembling a spell that ensnares the minds of all into one unified thought. Nothing came close. As I spent more time around you, I realized you had the potential for such a thing. Which only made me more curious about you. The power of the Dread Spellbook is that it contains, automatically, all Dread Magic known to exist.”
