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Obvious. Obvious in the human world is neon signs and flashing lights. I wonder what it is in the shadow realm.
"What's obvious?" Rayne asks, looking upset. "What usually happens when a prophecy is fulfilled?"
The elder seems to choose his words with care. "When the shadows whispered to our Goddess, they told her that there was another world. A world where the shadow beasts could be safe, could thrive. All she had to do was find it. And she did."
"But it cost her her life. Her heart." Phantom doesn't look happy. "It wasn't as simple as just finding the world."
"I never said it was simple," the elder says. "Just that it would take us down a path that will end in us successfully winning this war."
"Great," Rayne mutters.
“So it’s just a legend? Creating the mate bond hasn't changed anything for the war.” Disappointment deepens Dusk’s tone and Phantom crosses his arms over his massive chest, widens his stance, and squares his hips as if he’s preparing for battle.
Aeuro purses his lips. He isn’t afraid to answer, but he is honestly considering. “I’ll speak to the shadows and get back to you. I'm sure that now that we're on this path, they'll be able to lead us to the next correct step to winning this war.”
But none of my shadow beasts look confident.
"Elder," I say, trying to make sure I'm being respectful. "Have the shadows said anything about my powers? If I could learn to use my light, maybe I could really help end this war."
Aeuro's brows draw together. "They have whispered about you. About your powers. That they’re part of all of us. A key to turning the tide. But they have not... given me the manual for how to control your powers." He gives me a small smile. "Most of the time, powers like yours can only be influenced by the person controlling them. Perhaps you should spend more time trying to figure them out."
He's not wrong, but I do wish thiswonderfulsource of information was more helpful. "I'll give that a shot."
"But I will speak to the shadows on this matter too." And then his shoulders curl a bit, and I feel a little bad. This man should be enjoying his twilight years, not trying to solve all the problems of the universe. "Before you go, please spend some time with the men. They haven't been coming to my cave recently and the shadows are whispering that trouble is brewing. Our men can't handle a lot more trouble. Not right now."
Judging by the disappointed nods, this isn’t the best news. But my men each bow and thank the elder, then turn and leave. Onyx leads us out of the cave. No one speaks. His words seem to be hanging as heavily on them as they are on me. I keep staring at my hands, wondering about how exactly to explore my powers. They kind of just seem to be... gone when I don't need them.So how do I convince my damn powers to let me practice with them?
When we’re through the tunnel and outside the main cave again, there are almost three times as many shadow beasts assembled as when we went in. They're standing together, talking in low voices, but when they realize we're there, all eyes turn to us. Rayne moves closer to me on one side, Dusk on the other. And the tension in the air... it feels like we're standing against enemies rather than allies. A feeling that makes me more than a little uneasy.
The shadow beasts close in, but the one I've learned is named Flame speaks. “How can we win?”
A murmur rushes through them. They’re all waiting for that one magical answer that will end the fighting and all the death. I just wonder how they'll respond when they realize we still don't have a clue.
For some reason, just the idea scares me. I look at my men. They're all wearing their confidence like a cloak, but I can see beneath it. They're worried too.
Damn it.
FOURTEEN
Dusk
I’ll admit,I thought the mating bond legend was true. I also thought that as soon as we bonded with Ann that something magical would sweep over the land, that the shards would cease to light, and that the fighting would be over. Or something like that. But, basically, that we would win and all would be well in this world and in ours.
Prophecies are rare, even in the shadow world. When the shadows whisper one, people stand up and listen. They see a prophecy as something sacred and powerful, like fate. Something to believe in in the darkest times. And we're certainly in dark times. Times of war. Where brother is forced to fight brother. I wanted, no, needed, to believe that once we mated Ann, we would be free.
And apparently, I wasn’t the only one who needed this to be true. They’re staring at us. Waiting. Not quite hope in their eyes, but perhaps, desperation.
I hate that the prophecy doesn't seem to be that easy. I've never feared our men before, but a streak of concern is flowing through me. Instincts are going off inside of me like alarm bells, and I actually wish I could speak to Phantom privately. Tell him to break the news gently, or with some hope still attached to it, since my brother tends to say things in a direct way. It's good for leading a war. Good for running people, most of the time. But not now.
Our men continue to close in around us, so we move more tightly around Ann. No, I don't think they would hurt her. But people are capable of surprising things when they're desperate.
Phantom looks at me, Onyx looks at him, and Rayne looks at Onyx. He’s one of us now. And he isn’t going to let anything happen to her. It's weirdly nice to know we have one more person who has our back right now. Who is here to protect our woman.
My brother stands up taller. "The shadows have whispered from the time we were children that our chosen mate would bring great power. And when this war came to pass, they whispered that she would be the one to end this war."
There's a low murmuring of agreement.
"We all saw Ann's power on the battlefield. Her ability to control the light."
