Page 62 of A Bond So Deadly

I know he’s right, but it still doesn’t stop me from worrying. Blake and her mates are strong, but my friend explained about the current civil unrest in the beast realm, and I can’t imagine the royals from most of the other realms will be too happy to be dragged into another war, either. It’s fine, Shade. They’ll be just fine.

“Come on,” Raith says. “Let’s get back to the academy building.”

Forcing a smile, I turn to face him. “I’m not quite ready to go back just yet. I think I need to go for a walk. I won’t be long.”

Raith frowns. “I’ll come with you.”

“No,” I say softly. “I just want to clear my head.” I don’t mention that I’m hoping to get cuddles from Arizak and the guys’ other animali, nor do I tell them that their creatures are usually more affectionate when they’re not around.

My mates clearly don’t want to let me go alone, but it’s Thane who sees reason. “Take as long as you need,” he tells me. “We’re a whisper away.”

I give them a little wave, and it’s only when I’m alone surrounded by the ancient trees of the forest that I finally acknowledge the emotions pressing down on me. One tear falls after another, and I brace my hand against a tree as I fall apart. The reality of the situation we’re in has me feeling overwhelmed, and I end up pulling out my phoenix’s egg. As I rub my fingers over the cool ridges of the shell, my breathing calms.

Pull it together, Shade. Everything’s fine. My words are hollow, because nothing feels fine. Please hatch soon, I whisper to my phoenix. I hardly knew my bonded creature before she was taken from me, but I get the feeling this would all be easier if I had her by my side. And with every day that passes and she doesn’t hatch, worry clutches at my heart a little more.

“Some creatures take years to hatch,” Elgen tells me like she doesn’t understand why I’m sad. I guess when you live for centuries, a few days probably feels like the blink of an eye.

I’m still rubbing the egg when a cold breeze cuts through the forest, chilling me through my leathers. Goosebumps prickle on my arms, and I spin around, feeling like someone is watching me. I expect to find Bonfang or one of the other animali there, but the forest is empty.

At least, I think that until I spot a dark silhouette push off from a tree and stalk toward me. Shadows curl around the figure, and I realize he must be using aspects of his shadow cloaking abilities, because it’s not until he’s directly in front of me that I make out his features.

“P-professor Yevar?” I stammer, taking a step back in surprise. Holy crappity crap. “How did you get in here without Knox detecting you?”

The professor combs his fingers through his greasy black hair, and he gives me a sinister smile. “It’s good to see you, my dear.”

My heart stutters. “Yeah, well the feeling’s not mutual,” I blurt. “You shouldn’t be here.” I pinch myself just to make sure I’m not dreaming. Unfortunately, the sharp stab of pain confirms my fears, and I yelp, rubbing my arm. Oww. Opening my mouth, I’m about to call for my mates because obviously I need some backup, but before I can get any words out, Professor Yevar lifts his arms, and I’m horrified as a shadow dome forms around us, the shadows writhing and twisting as they thicken, trapping us within, and blocking the outside world.

I lick my lips nervously. “Got any bright ideas?” I ask Elgen and Tarlaz as panic floods my system. I try to send a shadow whisper to my guys anyway, but as suspected, the dome is blocking me.

“Remember he wants something from you,” Tarlaz rasps. “He might be stronger, but he won’t kill you. He wants you to be his weapon.”

“Okay, but how do I get out of this situation?” I reply.

Professor Yevar watches me calmly as he clasps his hands together. “There. Now your so-called mates won’t be able to intervene. I do so hate being interrupted.”

“You mean you were worried they’d kick your ass,” I retort.

The professor’s eyes darken as he gives me a humorless smile. “After all these years, your mates are incapable of seeing any side other than their own, but I believe you’re more reasonable. I think you’ll want to hear what I have to say.”

That makes me frown. “They might surprise you. Why don’t we test out your theory?”

Professor Yevar laughs. “You’re not going to trick me into removing the dome. No, this is a private conversation. I trust that’s something you can do on your own.”

I lift my chin, hating that he’s making me feel like a student who’s trying to tattle-tale to her professors. I want to ask Professor Yevar again how the hell he made it past the academy barrier without being detected, but it’s obvious he’s not going to answer that, so I don’t. In any case, I’m sure it’s not a coincidence that he has turned up so soon after Blake and the demons left. The idea that he must have just been waiting for the opportunity to have this private little chat with me makes me shiver.

Great. And I had to make it easy for him and go for a walk on my own.

I straighten my back, pretending to be brave. “Look buddy, I’m not interested in talking or listening to your offers. Whatever you want, my answer is no.”

He regards me shrewdly. “Now, that’s curious, because from what I hear, you’ve been very conversational lately, discussing all sorts of things with the zenali creatures.”

Crap, he knows about that? “What can I say? I’m more of an animal, er creature, person,” I reply, trying to sound aloof even though my heart is hammering. Slowly, I move toward the edge of the shadow dome, though I know it won’t do me any good.

He nods, his expression sincere. “I understand the feeling.”

I take another step back and my boot lands on a pebble. My ankle starts to roll, but I quickly correct myself. “Is that why you’re with the Xalgrith?”

His answering laughter grates upon my ears. “I suppose that may have been a factor, but no, you’ll come to understand my reasoning in time.”