Page 172 of Taken By Shadows

“If you couldn’t beat me with all of your limbs intact, what makes you think you have a chance now?” His boot came down hard on the wrist that was trying to conjure magic, and a revolting wet crunch followed.

To Huxley’s credit, he didn’t scream. He just writhed there and stared at Kaed. He had some nerve. Staring at Kaed when he wasn’t threatening you could be intimidating, but when storms brewed in those blue eyes, it was something different entirely.

“We can’t kill him,” I finally managed with a dry voice.

Kaed hunched down beside Huxley, like he wanted a better look at the work he’d put into mangling his body.

“Kaed. Listen to me.”

“Don’t worry. I won’t kill him,” he said without turning to me.

Everyone exhaled with relief at that—most of all, Huxley.

“This was Eryk,” I said, and forced myself to sit with a hand from Denora. “We’ve been looking in the wrong place. It’s not a council member, at least not yet, that has been planning a move. Someone else—”

“Not here,” Denora said, standing and turning to a sound coming from beyond the rose garden walls.

And then everyone was here. Tymon, Celeste and Audrie, who finally came and hugged me.

In a flurry of skirts and bustling, Celeste was in front of me, and her magic flowed over me like I’d been placed in a bath of milk. I instantly felt relief from the strain my muscles were still enduring. Even my nerves felt soothed as she poured everything into me. And all she spared for her son was a sideways glance as she ground her teeth together.

But I didn’t want to see her give more of herself to me.

I tried to pat her hands away, but she shushed me, and I didn’t have the strength to fight the healing working through me.

Her magic was like gentle moonlight given form. It shimmered and reflected light with the barest hints of rose and pale lavender.

“Your magic is beautiful,” I breathed as her hands floated over every part of my body. “Thank you.”

Celeste said nothing, but her bony hand came to my cheek, and she looked up into my eyes.

“We need to get you home,” Audrie sobbed as she helped me to my feet.

“I’m fine. Really.” I steadied myself, and I did feel better. Inasmuch as one can feel better after being magically drained when you had no magic to give.

I glanced at Huxley. “He knows something. Maybe not everything Eryk does. But he’s part of this,” I said, forcing myself to look at my attacker.

“I can heal him enough to be put in the Cage,” Celeste said, and the chill that came with those words was a harsh wind.

“No.” Kaed was emphatic. “If Imogen is right and Eryk is playing the council, then he might have someone on the inside. We can’t put him in the Cage.”

Everyone agreed, and Denora took point to lift Huxley once Celeste had healed his breaks enough to stand on his legs.

Tymon followed after Denora, and the faint shimmer of a silence bubble formed around the three of them as everyone left. Gavrin was already long gone, tracking Eryk. He was fast, but Eryk had a head start.

My insides convulsed at the thought that he was out there. His plan had failed, and like a wounded animal, he’d be more dangerous now. More desperate.

“Where are they taking him?”

Kaed didn’t answer. His large hands engulfed my face as he cradled it and looked into my eyes. Searching.

“I’m fine,” I said, pulling his hands down. “Let’s go back.”

“Back? Back where?” His shock was barely concealed behind his teeth.

“Maybe someone is missing Eryk. And we can’t be seen to be gone right after he is.”

“You’re not going back in there,” he ground out.