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“That’s new.” The Mistress commented dryly, lifting her foot. “Our ancestral magic is stronger than I remember, brother.”
Solok muttered beneath his breath, but narrowed his gaze, on me, as if he’d reached some decision. He motioned the leader of the guard closer, whispered in his ear.
I couldn’t hear what was said, but the male’s face lit up.
And I had the horrible feeling his gleaming, serpentine smile had everything to do with me.
“My sister and I will cross first.” The Axe didn’t look away, as if he wanted me to see the deadly promise in his eyes. “Along with the little slave.” He nodded to the guard, “You follow in half an hour, bring Anaria through with you. Do not let her out of your sight.”
“No.” The word was out before I even realized I’d spoken. “We stay together.” I met Ember’s frightened gaze. “You said I was responsible for her. I can’t watch over her if we’re on opposite sides of the wall.”
“So conscientious.” Solok crooned. “Yet you are making a mistake.” He shrugged. “No matter. One less complication once we reach Tempeste, so have it your way.”
Relief underscored Solok’s words. Relief tinged with cruel humor. I’d heard that tone in the Mistress’s voice enough times to know I was making a mistake and he would lord it over me later, once I saw how badly I’d messed up.
I couldn’t trust Solok, nor could I risk Em’s life. If there was the slightest chance hewasn’tlying…
“Fine.” I unclenched my fists. “She goes with you. But harm a hair on her head and I’ll…”
One second, he was twenty feet away, the next, Solok gripped the front of my dress, his eyes searing into me like a brand, teeth exposed in barely restrained fury. “What will you do, little thief? Kill me? Don’t forget what you are. A powerless slave, whose only chance at surviving is to follow fucking directions. Are we clear?”
I clamped my mouth shut, kept it closed when he and the Mistress—Ember in tow—disappeared between the trunks in a swirl of blue magic that faded the second they were through.
The guards relaxed their stance, some of them looking me up and down as if weighing Solok’s retribution against how good I’d taste. I edged toward the opening, when the leader laughed, sharp teeth glinting.
“That portal will shred the flesh from your bones, girl.” He nodded at my ruined feet. “The pain will make that seem like a nuisance. My orders are to wait. So, we wait.”
Doubt made me hesitate.
And I was no good to Ember if I was dead.
I paced away from the laughing guards, away from the throbbing magic that invaded every cell of my body with that deep, monotonous thumping.
As if I’d tapped into the world’s heartbeat.
What if Ember was dead?
What if the magic killed her when she’d crossed through?
Questions ate me alive while I counted down the seconds, forgotten by the guards, who were trading stories of what they’d do once they reached the city, mostly centering around drinking themselves to death and fucking females. The leader nudged me toward the opening.
“Good luck to you. I’ve heard the agony is never ending.” His dark eyes danced. “I’ve never seen it, myself, but your demise will be a good tale to tell when we return home. Who knows? Might even get me laid.”
I limped forward with my heart in my throat, then the guard shoved me headfirst into the portal. I braced for pain, inhaling gulp after gulp of deathly cold, the air freezing in my lungs.
There was nothing to grab onto in here, just thick, sticky magic snagging my hair and face, like I was trapped in an enormous spider’s web. I should be terrified, but by the gods, being surrounded by this much power made my bodysing. Enough I closed my eyes and reveled in the cold wash of magic that replaced the blood in my veins, every thought in my head.
I was desperate for more of this endless power. Desperate in a way I’d never been before, as if I’d unlocked some integral piece of myself I’d been missing my entire life.
I tried moving, but I couldn’t go forward, and I couldn’t go back.
I was stuck between realms, and if that wasn’t some kind of fucked up metaphor for my entire life, I didn’t know what was.
I didn’twantto go forward.
But Icouldn’tgo back. So, I did the only thing I could do. What I’d wanted to do, from the first time I’d ever tasted the insipid glow of Descendant magic. I opened myself up fully, opened up my very soul and welcomed the power in.
Not a little, butallof it, a rush of endless, infinite magic that swept me away with the force of a crashing wave, erased every fear and doubt, leaving me glowing from the inside, as if I held the heavens inside me.
