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Raine pulled his dagger from its holder. “Yes, he is, and he is vital to our clan. We lost Lorne, and we can’t produce new daggers until a replacement is discovered. Ezra is the only weapons master we have.”
Ezra’s jaw ticked before his eyes turned black. “Lorne’s death was a devastating blow. I would bring retribution to the reapers...”
Raine put his hand on Ezra’s shoulder. “Your fighting skills are legendary, and you would kill dozens of reapers, but your death would ensure the reapers win this war. Only you can redistribute the reaper blades.”
Ezra sighed. “I will continue my duties until my replacement is discovered and trained.”
“You are the pillar of this clan. We don’t thank you enough for what you do. The sacrifices you have made,” Raine said.
Ezra waved his hand dismissively. “If you wish to thank me, do it by training your fledgling. We’ve lost too many already. Every time I inscribe a new rune, it’s a reminder that we have lost another.”
Raine motioned for Dannika to exit the Forge.
Without thinking, she hugged Ezra and kissed his cheek. “Thank you, again.”
His eyes softened as he returned the awkward hug. His shadow connected with hers briefly then receded. “I understand now.”
“What do you understand?” she asked.
“The rune. You’re a female with the heart of a warrior, but capable of great compassion. Your symbol is that of unification. How you achieve that goal is your destiny.”
When Ezra refused to elaborate, Raine led her from the forge to the room they’d arrived. “Traveling the pathways with your weapon takes some getting used to. Pick a destination and concentrate on it. I will help you hold your shadow form while traversing the streams with our blades.”
Dannika concentrated on her shadow form, willing it to enter the singular pathway that exited the forge. Raine’s shadow wrapped around her, cocooning her in his warmth and power.
She expected the wrenching feeling of her molecules separating, but the reaper blade combined with her shadow form, creating an explosion of dark power. Dannika would never have survived that first trip without Raine’s help, so she accepted her limitations and concentrated on her destination.
Even with Raine shrouding her shadow, she was spit from the stream like a rock skipping across a pond. She scraped her hands along the pavement as she exited the shadows at the back of the building.
The overpowering smell of fresh paint wrinkled her nose. “The renovations are almost complete. I’d like to talk to Barry.”
Raine surveyed the rear entrance to the shelter. Dannika had promised to leave her old life. Her previous job in the past. “We shouldn’t be here, Dannika. The clan donated money, and the renovations are almost complete. It will reopen in a few days. Who is Barry?”
Dannika ran her hand over a pile of plywood. “Barry worked on the weekends. Last time we were in town, training, I called the shelter. The recording said Barry was the new manager and to leave a message. I didn’t.”
“You need to cut ties with the shelter.” Raine folded his arms. “Margo is dead. Why the continued interference with this place?”
She stepped close to him. “It isn’t interference. This was my life. Just because Margo is dead, doesn’t mean I won’t check-in to ensure the people are taken care of.”
His eyes flickered with blue fire. “Someone will eventually notice your visits. Do you wish for another reaper attack? Innocents will die, and we’ll be forced to burn the place down, again.”
She balled her fingers at her sides. “I won’t continue to come here after I confirm the rebuild was satisfactory.”
Raine’s jaw ticked. “Let’s get this over with.” He entered through the rear door that led to the kitchen.
The layout was as Dannika remembered, but with new appliances and pale blue walls. The industrial gray tile was stark against the pale color scheme, but it would be easier to keep clean.
Raine had kept his word. The shelter looked like it could open as soon as the paint dried.
A young man in a tan suit approached them, his face one of wariness. “May I help... Dannika, is that you?”
“Hi, Barry. We’re just passing through, but I thought I’d stop in and see how the renovations were coming along.” She waved her hand around the room. “It looks amazing.”
Barry swallowed uncomfortably. “An anonymous donation in Margo’s name has expedited the shelter’s recovery.”
“Thanks, Barry. I appreciate your hard work.” She turned away as ice slithered along her spine. She wasn’t sure if it was the reminder of Margo’s death or losing her human life, but she rubbed her chest, attempting to ease the strange sensation. It wasn’t until Raine grabbed her hand that she realized she wasn’t the only one who was feeling it.
“We need to go, Dannika,” Raine said. He led her outside, but his shadow was rippling beneath his skin, attempting to break free.
