“I can explain after the meeting,” he said as he stood. “Besides, what’s the harm in having another ally by your side to present a strong front?”
I didn’t have time to argue, and part of me wondered if he was looking for a way to keep his mind occupied. I was glad for the opportunity to act, to busy myself with our war efforts while Kost and Leena did the same. Relenting with a tight nod, I turned on my heels and strolled briskly through the courtyard in the direction of the keep. Gaige kept up easily, his long strides laced with shadows. He still wasn’t in control. Not fully.
“Shadow walking is usually something more practiced assassins attempt. It isn’t an easy feat.”
His brows drew together. “I may have done it accidentally already. Imagine my fear, floating above my body and not knowing how to get back. I’d prefer to have someone with me for this next go-around so I can learn.”
Accidentally? I cut him a glance. It’d certainly happened to others before, but his talents were developing at an astonishing rate. If he didn’t learn to control them soon… I tracked an errant tendril that looped around his forearm and crawled down his fingers. He could end up swallowed whole. Permanently locked in the shadow world, unable to walk among his family and friends. In my life, I’d only seen one assassin fall prey to such a fate. He’d been on the verge of disappearing completely when Talmage slit the man’s throat. It had been a kinder fate than an endless life all alone.
I hadn’t forced anything on Gaige as the guild master of Cruor. Not yet. I wanted to give him time to adapt, and I wasn’t sure how keen he’d be on suddenly deferring to me as his leader. But when this war was over, I’d force him to train. I would not let him be consumed by darkness.
For now, what little instruction I could give him about shadow walking might aid in his control. “Fine. But we don’t have time to dally. If you don’t get it after a try or two, I’ll need to go on ahead to greet the Lendrian soldiers myself.”
“I’m a fast learner,” he said, and we quickly made our way into the quarters Leena and I shared. The room had been cleaned by attendants since our earlier meeting, and the polished coffee table was bare of empty mugs and plates. Gesturing to the upholstered couch, I waited for Gaige to lie down.
“I’ll walk you through projecting your spirit. If we succeed, you’ll just have to wait a moment while I do the same. Then, we’ll travel to Midnight Jester together.”
“Right.” He adjusted a throw pillow beneath his head before settling his hands on his stomach. “Ready when you are.”
“Close your eyes.” I watched as he obliged, letting out a quiet sigh. “First, I want you to flex your muscles, then let them relax completely. Allow them to melt into the cushions and focus on taking slow, deep breaths.”
His body went rigid, then sagged into the couch. Measured, weighted breaths slipped from his parted lips, and the rise and fall of his chest slowed to a point where it was almost imperceptible. Minutes passed and I simply let him be. Let him soak in the rest he so desperately needed. But if I didn’t interrupt him soon, he was more likely to fall into slumber than project his consciousness.
Pitching my tone low, so as not to disturb his peaceful state, I continued. “I want you to think about your right hand. Picture how it looks, how it feels to control. Think about curling and uncurling your fingers, but don’t physically move them. Let your mind take over.”
He didn’t move, but shadows began to pool beneath him on the floor. They licked at his hand and beckoned his consciousness to grab hold.
“Feel for the shadows. Embrace them, and then allow yourself to detach completely. Don’t be afraid.”
I’d been afraid the first time I’d separated from my body. The shadows had raced over me in a way I’d never experienced before. It was like losing control completely, feeling their icy kiss against my very soul instead of my skin.
A whoosh of shadows rushed over Gaige, and then suddenly he was there, a wispy projection of himself. I hid my amazement—and my worry—behind a stoic face. He’d grasped the notion soquickly. Yes, he’d mentioned doing it accidentally before, but to successfully project himself without a single hiccup… Gaige blinked, then turned his gaze to his unconscious body. A smile tugged at his lips.
“This is amazing.” His frame wavered with his words, and I nodded.
“Don’t move. I’ll only be a moment.”
Crossing the room to the bed, I lay down and closed my eyes. Repeating the same instructions I’d given Gaige in my mind, I welcomed the rake of cold shadows along my consciousness. A moment later, I’d pushed myself out of my physical body and was standing before him.
“Now, traveling.” I rolled my neck from side to side more out of habit than need. There wasn’t much tautness to be felt in my shadow form, just the ever-present sensation of cold. “Picture Midnight Jester in your mind’s eye. Focus on the concrete details of the exterior and will your mind to go there. There’s no way for me to hold on to you and drag you with me. You have to do this on your own.”
A flicker of uncertainty passed through his gaze. “If I get lost?”
“Don’t.” I pressed my lips into a fine line. “You’ll return to your body eventually, but I won’t know where you went and won’t be able to help you.”
“Well, here goes nothing, then.” He closed his eyes again, and an invisible wind gusted through the space between us. One moment his projection was standing beside me, and then next it was gone. Completely wiped from existence.
Clenching my jaw, I took off after him. I pictured myself flying through the keep, across the open lawns and deep into the Kitska Forest before finally reaching the quiet establishment known as Midnight Jester. The black market tavern was the same as always. Shuttered windows closed tight against the winter air. A sturdy door with an iron knob just waiting to be opened. A few dormant shrubs near the cobblestone path. Muffled conversations slipped through the cracks, and I caught wind of a more reserved, authoritative voice than those who typically trafficked at the tavern. Likely the Sentinel Emelia had alluded to.
I took a few steps to the side of the building and froze in my tracks. A small group of soldiers—maybe fifty or so strong—loitered around a handful of campfires, their belongings still unpacked. They hadn’t set up camp just yet, likely waiting to confirm my existence before fully committing to our cause. I scoured every face from a safe distance out of sight, hoping to find some familiarity among those loyal to me. But it’d been so long since I’d been the leader of a Lendrian army, and while some likely were the sons or daughters of people I had fought with, I couldn’t tell at first glance.
Just then, a whirl of shadows announced Gaige’s arrival, and the sliver of worry that had been eating away at my insides disappeared. He’d made it.
“That’s a reassuring sight,” he mused.
“Indeed. There’s a Sentinel inside. Let’s start there.” Turning away from the group, I made my way toward Midnight Jester and floated through the door. There was no sense in pretending to open it when I couldn’t grip the knob, anyway. Gaige did the same, and we came to a halt once inside. A few patrons startled at our appearance, but most who frequented the tavern knew of Cruor and our tendency to walk with the shadows. The circular, rickety tables were near full, thanks in large part to the handful of lucky soldiers who’d managed to bargain their way inside with their captain instead of lingering by a campfire.
“I suppose I have you to thank for this uptick in business.” A gruff voice rose above the din of conversation, and I turned my head toward the bar. Dez, the bartender, leaned against the countertop on his forearms, a damp rag in one hand. There was no malice in his greeting, but I couldn’t overlook the stiffness of his shoulders. The muscles coiled tight in his neck.
