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I keep my tone light, even though I’m on the verge of destruction. “My eyes do feel heavy.” I push my chair back to stand and straighten my spine, refusing to bow. “I’ll take my leave, then.”
Wooden legs scrape against stone. “I’ll walk you,” Aiden rushes to say.
“Nonsense! The girl can walk herself. She’s capable enough for that.” Calloway starts refilling his golden goblet as Aiden remains frozen in place. “Sit!” his father bellows harshly.
Without a word or sparing a final glance, I whisk around and steadily take my leave. I keep my footsteps light and sure. Once I make my way through the hallways to my room, I let the door fall shut and just stand there. My mind racing, knowing there has to be something I can do to help.
I can’t do nothing. Not anymore.
Without another thought, I make quick work to change into a black tunic with matching leather pants, tossing on a cloak that will also blend into the night.
With my dagger strapped to my thigh and boots laced, I throw my shadows out, guiding them to take me to the Court of Abhain. The sun is just beginning to roll beneath the horizon as red, orange, and yellow hues smear across the sky, fading into a deep blue. The wind whistles over the rolling hills, the long blades of grass swaying to its tune. There is the rush of a waterfall crashing into the river beside me, and a bird chirping in the distance.
I slowly glance around and let the darkness of my power surge forth, hoping it will let me track the Corrupted. I briefly wonder if Draven still hunts them or if my disappearance has truly consumed him in a dark cloud he can’t clear.
But I can’t let my thoughts drift. I need to center my energy to see if I can sense where the Corrupted may be lurking. I let my shadows fill my hood, masking my face in case I run into anyone. People will recognize me now, and I can’t let that happen.
My eyes fall closed, delving into my power until I feel a glimmer of familiarity a little farther away. The same recognition I felt in Whiro’s presence. Except, this isn’t as potent. In quick strides, my boots pound on the cushioned ground of thick greenery. I race towards this connection, driving my legs faster as I ignore the burn that begins to tighten in my muscles.
When I reach a small path leading into a village, I slow my pace. The grass fades into dirt that starts crunching under my boots with each step. It should be here. I take a deep inhale, inflating my lungs until it hurts, and immediately smell the rotten scent that lingers on the Corrupted. My body instinctively bends into a crouch as I round the nearest corner, peering around the building until my eyes lock on my target.
I have no idea if anything I do will work, but I have to try.
Whiro continues to steal the lives of innocents, to manipulate, while threatening me with ending the entire world. No. I refuse to let that continue. For him to destroy this land that holds so many families and beautiful lives.I have to do something to save them, to protect them.
I stand and step out in the open, walking right into the path of the Corrupted searching for something to tear into. My heart cracks at the sight—so loudly that I don’t know how this Corrupted doesn’t hear.
It’s a young girl, maybe about to hit puberty. Her light blonde hair a tangled mess, her pale blue dress torn and covered in dirt and blood. The skin under her eyes has sunken in, black veins scattering her whole body and eyes that match mine. Eyes that look dead inside.
She spins, noticing me as I approach. A faint shriek spills from her small mouth.
I gingerly walk closer as she hunches forward, spreading the spear-like claws to push through her fingertips. Her chest is heaving in deep, quick breaths as her lips peel back to show her teeth.
I inch closer, not daring to hold my breath. For this to possibly work, I need to make contact. Every cell in my body is urging me to do so.
One slow breath out and I push all my weight into the soles of my feet as I take off. Charging her with quick steps, arms pumping, and my shadows swarming around us, blocking her from escaping. Even though now, her only focus is to rip me to pieces.
The moment I’m in front of her, I spin to the left before her claws can sink into my stomach. My hands land on her shoulders as I focus on my well of power. Drawing more shadows to the surface, wanting to pull out the darkness in her. Hoping my own calls to hers, commanding it as a way to lure it out of her petite frame. Needing to free her from this curse my father has created. Desperately wanting to save this girl who is lost to the dark because I know all too well what it feels like to walk in the shadows alone.
I can feel the cursed power dwelling inside her. How it has burrowed itself into the marrow of her bones, tainting her blood cells and rooting itself into her heart. Yet…her darkness doesn’t obey mine. I try again with more grit as I scream in frustration, but the strain on my mind causes spots to dance before my vision. Still, nothing happens.
She screeches, shaking beneath my palms, and drops her body out of my grasp while I’m still trying to clear the spots floating around us. She rams her shoulders into my legs, knocking me back until I slam into the ground with a grunt.
Shit.
Something cracks in my side, and with the way the air leaves my lungs, I’m sure that earned me a broken rib. That’s what I get for leaving an open window for an attack. An attack I wasn’t fully expecting, considering who I am. But it seems she’s more unhinged, more lost to this curse. It makes me wonder if Whiro is lessening his hold on them to do whatever their feral minds wish. Not caring what happens to them or others.
My palms scrape over the loose pebbles scattered in the dirt and they bite into my skin as I force myself back to my feet and away from her. But I’m not fast enough.
Her hand wraps tightly around my calf as she sinks her talons into the muscle, causing me to grind my back teeth together. A blast of shadows spears from my hand, nailing her in the chest to throw her backward, but her talons take bits of my skin with her.
I jump to my feet, pain immediately stabbing my leg as I shift my weight to the other. Wetness soaks the material of my pants around the wound, but I know it will heal soon. Same for why the bruising pain in my rib cage is dulling. A benefit of not being restrained by a necklace that steals my power and something I’m still trying to get used to, considering I still keep a stash of healing salve for comfort.
My chest heaves through the stinging gnawing on my calf as I limp towards her. The girl’s body unnaturally pushes off the ground to stand, those bleeding black orbs locked on me. Out of reflex, my hand itches to pull my dagger from its sheath, but I don’t want to hurt her. There has to be a way.
Suddenly, Mauve’s words come surging forth. Remember, darkness can be broken by the light, but you have to open your eyes.
The Masiren said the same thing, to open my eyes, but to the light. It helped clear the darkness in me once I was able to grasp it.
