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My voice weaves through the room, soft and ethereal at first, like a warm breeze floating above the cold chill of this chamber. Then it builds, and the room begins to feel different. I feel different. The air shifts, dense and heavy.
The laughter dies. Uttert’s sneer fades. Even Rollo, who’d been leaning back in his seat with his hands crossed smugly over his chest, shifts uneasily.
I can sense it now: the trance-like effect of my song, the way it moves through the crowd, weaving itself into their minds. What is happening? How am I doing this? The magic vibrates through my voice, almost like I’m weaving a song with the Source itself.
Do it now, my inner voice screams. Get out!
I have no time to ponder. All I know is that the room is utterly captivated. This could be my only chance.
Do it now!
I run to the door, desperately swinging it open before the trance breaks. Go, go, GO—!
Ragnar blocks my path. His broad shoulders fill the frame of the door like a stone wall.
“No!” I sob. Trapped. Again.
He grabs my arm. “Back to your room, Akemi,” he says, tone firm. How much did he see just now of this new power of mine?
I don’t fight him. Don’t resist. There’s no point anymore.
The walk back to my room is silent, the weight of the evening settling around me like a shroud.
Ragnar practically tosses me into my chamber. Were his hands gripping my arm lightly this time?
I take a moment to breathe. My gaze drifts toward the wooden bed frame. I scratch another line into the wood with trembling hands.
5
Flesh and Bone
Ibrush off the snow from my shoulders as I work my way to the lowest level of the library. Anita’s was loud and overwhelming and too much. I’m so tired. Elated, but tired. My limbs ache from the maze. The ghost of Ragnar’s punch still stings my cheek.
Atlys should already be in the springs waiting for me. I bite my lip and hurry faster toward the tapestry that hides the secret passageway.
A fat, beige cat awaits in the shadows, blinking at me with those intelligent orbs.
“Oh, hi, Miki.” I bend down and scratch under his chin. “Be back soon. Watch the way for me, would you?”
Miki plops over to the side, releasing a plume of dust.
Practically jogging along the tunnel, I keep a hand out for balance along the stone wall until I’m in the familiar glowing cavern.
The light drip, drip, drip and bubbling waters instantly put my mind at ease.
He’s already right where I suspected. In the same hot springs pool where I first spotted him. Arms sprawled along the edge of the spring, Atlys is formidable. Even when he is relaxing, chin tilting to the ceiling as he breathes in the steam. He doesn’t even open up his eyes before speaking to me. “You have thirty seconds to join me in the spring.”
“Or what?” I taunt, though I’m already stripping out of my winter cloak.
A sharp canine pokes out from his lips as they stretch into a familiar, saccharine smirk. “You had an eventful evening, and I want to reward you.”
“Oh.” My cheeks heat. Then my shirt plops onto the stone floor of the cave.
Atlys finally opens his eyes to look at me, the black almost overtaking his silver irises.
So, I may or may not give him a little show. Slower than necessary, I run my hands along the side of my ribs, savoring the way my soft skin feels under my palms as I edge downward to hook my thumbs under the waist of my pants. I linger there for a moment before turning around.
“Fifteen seconds,” he purrs.
