Chapter 23
Chapter Twenty-Three
~ Shade ~
When morning comes, I’m not ready for it. Sunlight starts to peek over the tops of the academy trees, and Blake lets out a long sigh.
“That’s our cue,” Nate murmurs as he stands and stretches. “It’s been fun, but we’ve got work to do.”
We all lift to our feet, and my stomach twists as Blake summons the demon generals, and we gather on one side of the clearing.
Sebastian is the last to join the group, like he’s reluctant to leave Satine after they’ve been talking all night, and more than one student looks sad as they gather and watch the demons.
Blake’s mates all hug me in turn, but Blake and I hug for the longest.
“I hate that you’re leaving already,” I murmur against her shoulder. “I wish I could keep you all to myself. I hope the royals from the other realms listen to you.”
She squeezes me tighter. “And I hate that you have to stay here,” she counters. “Don’t worry about us. You just focus on getting strong. We’ll find a way to get you out of here.”
I smile weakly as we part, and Kenzie comes up to my side.
“Good luck,” Kenzie says awkwardly, fidgeting with her fingers like she doesn’t know what to do.
Before she knows what’s happening, Blake strides over and hugs her as well. “Try to keep Shade out of trouble, will you? At least until we return.”
Kenzie grins. “Yeah, that’s not something I can promise.”
“I know,” Blake replies, her golden eyes sparkling. “That’s why I said try.”
“Hey!” I protest as my friends both laugh.
“All right,” Blake says taking one last look at me. “We’ll see you soon, okay? Make sure you keep in touch.”
I salute her. “Will do, bestie.”
The guys are quicker to say their goodbyes, and Blake creates a portal that burns with black fire. And then they walk through. The demon generals follow behind them until the last demon is gone and the portal closes.
Without the demons, the clearing goes quiet. Raith comes up behind me, wrapping his arms around my waist and pressing a kiss to my hair. “They’ll be back before you know it, sunshine.”
I know he’s right, but it still doesn’t stop me from worrying.
Blake and her mates are strong, but my friend explained about the current civil unrest in the beast realm, and I can’t imagine the royals from most of the other realms will be too happy to be dragged into another war, either. It’s fine, Shade. They’ll be just fine.
“Come on,” Raith says. “Let’s get back to the academy building.”
Forcing a smile, I turn to face him. “I’m not quite ready to go back just yet. I think I need to go for a walk. I won’t be long.”
Raith frowns. “I’ll come with you.”
“No,” I say softly. “I just want to clear my head.” I don’t mention that I’m hoping to get cuddles from Arizak and the guys’ other animali, nor do I tell them that their creatures are usually more affectionate when they’re not around.
My mates clearly don’t want to let me go alone, but it’s Thane who sees reason. “Take as long as you need,” he tells me. “We’re a whisper away.”
I give them a little wave, and it’s only when I’m alone surrounded by the ancient trees of the forest that I finally acknowledge the emotions pressing down on me.
One tear falls after another, and I brace my hand against a tree as I fall apart.
The reality of the situation we’re in has me feeling overwhelmed, and I end up pulling out my phoenix’s egg.
As I rub my fingers over the cool ridges of the shell, my breathing calms.
Pull it together, Shade. Everything’s fine.
My words are hollow, because nothing feels fine.
Please hatch soon, I whisper to my phoenix.
I hardly knew my bonded creature before she was taken from me, but I get the feeling this would all be easier if I had her by my side.
And with every day that passes and she doesn’t hatch, worry clutches at my heart a little more.
“Some creatures take years to hatch,” Elgen tells me like she doesn’t understand why I’m sad. I guess when you live for centuries, a few days probably feels like the blink of an eye.
I’m still rubbing the egg when a cold breeze cuts through the forest, chilling me through my leathers. Goosebumps prickle on my arms, and I spin around, feeling like someone is watching me. I expect to find Bonfang or one of the other animali there, but the forest is empty.
At least, I think that until I spot a dark silhouette push off from a tree and stalk toward me. Shadows curl around the figure, and I realize he must be using aspects of his shadow cloaking abilities, because it’s not until he’s directly in front of me that I make out his features.
“P-professor Yevar?” I stammer, taking a step back in surprise. Holy crappity crap. “How did you get in here without Knox detecting you?”
The professor combs his fingers through his greasy black hair, and he gives me a sinister smile. “It’s good to see you, my dear.”
My heart stutters. “Yeah, well the feeling’s not mutual,” I blurt.
“You shouldn’t be here.” I pinch myself just to make sure I’m not dreaming.
Unfortunately, the sharp stab of pain confirms my fears, and I yelp, rubbing my arm.
Oww. Opening my mouth, I’m about to call for my mates because obviously I need some backup, but before I can get any words out, Professor Yevar lifts his arms, and I’m horrified as a shadow dome forms around us, the shadows writhing and twisting as they thicken, trapping us within, and blocking the outside world.
I lick my lips nervously. “Got any bright ideas?” I ask Elgen and Tarlaz as panic floods my system. I try to send a shadow whisper to my guys anyway, but as suspected, the dome is blocking me.
“Remember he wants something from you,” Tarlaz rasps. “He might be stronger, but he won’t kill you. He wants you to be his weapon.”
“Okay, but how do I get out of this situation?” I reply.
Professor Yevar watches me calmly as he clasps his hands together. “There. Now your so-called mates won’t be able to intervene. I do so hate being interrupted.”
“You mean you were worried they’d kick your ass,” I retort.
The professor’s eyes darken as he gives me a humorless smile. “After all these years, your mates are incapable of seeing any side other than their own, but I believe you’re more reasonable. I think you’ll want to hear what I have to say.”
That makes me frown. “They might surprise you. Why don’t we test out your theory?”
Professor Yevar laughs. “You’re not going to trick me into removing the dome. No, this is a private conversation. I trust that’s something you can do on your own.”
I lift my chin, hating that he’s making me feel like a student who’s trying to tattle-tale to her professors.
I want to ask Professor Yevar again how the hell he made it past the academy barrier without being detected, but it’s obvious he’s not going to answer that, so I don’t.
In any case, I’m sure it’s not a coincidence that he has turned up so soon after Blake and the demons left.
The idea that he must have just been waiting for the opportunity to have this private little chat with me makes me shiver.
Great. And I had to make it easy for him and go for a walk on my own.
I straighten my back, pretending to be brave. “Look buddy, I’m not interested in talking or listening to your offers. Whatever you want, my answer is no.”
He regards me shrewdly. “Now, that’s curious, because from what I hear, you’ve been very conversational lately, discussing all sorts of things with the zenali creatures.”
Crap, he knows about that? “What can I say? I’m more of an animal, er creature, person,” I reply, trying to sound aloof even though my heart is hammering. Slowly, I move toward the edge of the shadow dome, though I know it won’t do me any good.
He nods, his expression sincere. “I understand the feeling.”
I take another step back and my boot lands on a pebble. My ankle starts to roll, but I quickly correct myself. “Is that why you’re with the Xalgrith?”
His answering laughter grates upon my ears. “I suppose that may have been a factor, but no, you’ll come to understand my reasoning in time.”
“Yeah, I doubt that. Look, just spit out what you came here to say, otherwise, let me go.”
He clicks his tongue. “Whatever happened to respecting your professors?”
I snort. “Well, when you start abducting students and betraying your own kind, respect tends to go out the window.”
“Betrayal?” He rubs his chin, looking amused. “Well, that’s all a matter of perspective. There is one thing that I agree with Queen Krosia on: sometimes you have to sacrifice a few to save the many.”
My lips thin. “Are you saying the students have been sacrificed?”
He flashes me a cruel smile, and shadows pool around his hand. “Here,” he says. “This may help you to understand.”
He sends the small ball of shadows my way and curiosity has me opening my hands. As the shadows clear, a small object is revealed on my palm.
“Oh crap!” I yell, shaking my hands and flinging the item some distance away. The severed finger drops, clearing a path through the curling fog and landing on the grass. I gape in horror at the appendage, and my heart sinks when I notice the familiar academy ring that’s still attached.
“What the hell is wrong with you?” I snap at Professor Yevar, the blood draining from my face.
The professor stares at me like he’s entirely pleased with my reaction.
Sicko.
“Forgive me. I thought something visual might help me get through to you. I trust you know what that is?” he says.
“Yeah, it’s someone’s freaking finger!”
“Ah yes, but not just anyone’s finger. I thought you’d appreciate something personal. That’s from one of your friends.” He taps his chin. “Now, what was his name… Jared? Johnson? No…”
“Jensen?” I rasp, fighting to keep down the bile that’s climbing up my throat.
“Ah yes! That’s it. Jensen.”
I almost lose the battle to keep the bile down.