Chapter 24
Chapter Twenty-Four
~ Shade ~
Okay, so this is bad. Like really bad. How did I go from being trapped at Shadowbone Academy to portaling into the Xalgrith realm?
Unlike shadow pathways where you travel along a shadow road until you reach your destination, I don’t have to do any walking. Light dances around me, smears of white and gray, and my stomach lurches as the air warms and my boots find solid ground again.
The portal closes behind me, and I turn to the side, throwing up the contents of my stomach before wiping my mouth with the back of my hand.
Professor Yevar watches silently, and when my head stops spinning, I stare in horror at the scene around us.
Holy crap. Are we in hell? It feels like we’ve just portaled to the land of eternal damnation. At least, the hell that some of the humans believe in.
We’re standing on a stone ledge beside a bubbling pit of lava. Spirals of stone walkways curl around the inside of the pit, and it takes me a moment to realize we’re actually inside a volcano. Waves of heat from the lava radiate up at me and sweat drips from my face.
A god-awful scent assaults my nose, and I wince. “What is that smell? It’s like…like…” I struggle to describe the scent that’s making me feel like throwing up again. “Like…death,” I finally say, because that’s what it smells like. The scent of decaying bodies.
Professor Yevar is no longer wearing an emerald green cloak, but instead, gleaming white battle armor fits tightly to his form. I glare at him as his shadows create a sling that holds my phoenix’s egg.
“Yes, well, the Xalgrith warriors like to be near the warmth,” the professor says, “and the xalfrets enjoy it as well.”
I frown. “The xalfrets?”
As if to answer me, an ear-splitting screech makes me cover my ears.
Instinctively, I duck down as a large shadow passes overhead, and my eyes go wide when I peer up.
The creature looks like a small dragon as it perches at the top of the volcano, screeching and stretching its wings wide.
It holds what appears to be some kind of orange sheep in its talons, and it tears off the small beast’s head, tossing it to the lava before devouring the rest of the sheep’s body.
“Yep, I’m definitely going to die here,” I say to Elgen and Tarlaz. “Blake is going to be real pissed when she finds out.”
“Oh yes. The demon queen will be most displeased,” Elgen replies.
I groan.
“You’re not going to die, child,” Tarlaz counters. “Not if we can help it.”
That makes me feel a little better, and I pull myself together. “Thanks, Tarlaz. I needed that.” I let out a long breath through my nose. “Who knows. Maybe this will be a good thing. Maybe we can save the students and figure out what the Xalgrith want.”
Professor Yevar turns, indicating that I should follow him, and I keep a careful distance as we climb a series of uneven stone steps.
There are different levels in the volcano, with tunnels carved into the rock, and armed Xalgrith warriors are situated throughout.
The Xalgrith sneer at me with disdain as we pass, and I try to avoid their stares.
“Where are you taking me?” I ask Professor Yevar as he continues upward. “To the students?”
“King Malgur is expecting you.”
“King Malgur? Is that the Xalgrith king?”
He doesn’t answer me, and I focus on walking so that I don’t trip and fall to a fiery death.
We’re passing another level when a Xalgrith warrior with a gruesome scar on his face spits at the ground in front of me.
Professor Yevar stops so suddenly I almost run into his back. He turns slowly, pivoting toward the warrior.
“Filthy humans. How many more must we endure?” the warrior rattles.
“General Yaxus,” Professor Yevar replies. “Such a pleasure as always.”
“I mean it, shadow scum. We’ve had enough.”
Professor Yevar’s lips thin. “I’m sorry to hear that, but know that this human is exceptional. Shade here is the very weapon we need to win this war.”
The general looks me up and down, and he doesn’t look impressed by what he sees. “Your weapon looks like nothing more than a snack for my xalf—”
He doesn’t get to finish. Professor Yevar’s shadows shoot out, coiling around the warrior’s neck and squeezing tightly. The general snarls, but he soon realizes no amount of struggling will free him.
Professor Yevar smiles as he leans in close. “Careful, general. There’s a reason I’m now advising your king in your place. You had your chance. Touch my weapon again, and it’ll be the last thing you do.”
The general glares at Professor Yevar, but he eventually nods, and the professor pulls back his shadows.
Gasping for air, the general rubs his neck.
Professor Yevar doesn’t say anything more. He simply turns and starts walking again, and I hurry to follow him.
“Tell me I shouldn’t be impressed by that,” I say in my mind to Elgen and Tarlaz.
“Why not, girl? I’m impressed,” Elgen replies.
“That was immensely satisfying,” Tarlaz adds. “But don’t be fooled by the professor. He is not your friend, child. It would appear you are now simply his possession.”
“Yeah, a weapon.” I try not to think about how disappointed Professor Yevar is going to be, when I inevitably don’t live up to whatever expectations he has for me. That’s a problem for future Shade.
As we continue walking, I listen to the strange chatter of the Xalgrith as we pass, and a thought dawns on me. “Hold on, you spoke to that Xalgrith general in his native tongue,” I say to Professor Yevar. “How did you learn their language?”
Professor Yevar’s steps slow, and he tilts his head toward me. “Much the same as how you are able to communicate with various species, I suspect.”
“So you do have language abilities. It’s how you were able to speak to the foxrets, isn’t it?” I think about what Borshoz had told me. About the creatures being glad someone could finally listen to them. But it turns out I’m not the only one who can hear them.
“Indeed. How else do you think I got here?” the professor answers.
“But if Queen Krosia knew you could speak to them…”
“The shadow queen is not aware of this particular gift of mine,” he says. “And it was a while before I discovered the skill myself. In any case, after I spoke to the Xalgrith, it soon became apparent I was fighting for the wrong side. In time, I’m sure you’ll come to the same conclusion.”
I want to point out that’s unlikely considering the Xalgrith clearly intend on wiping out the inhabitants of the shadow realm, but I’m distracted when Professor Yevar leads me down a wide tunnel and stops outside a large metal door.
Two massive Xalgrith warriors guard the door, and their milky eyes fixate on me.
“His Highness is expecting us,” Professor Yevar drawls.
The guards scrutinize me before opening the door, and I steel myself as I follow Professor Yevar into a cavernous room.
Inside, warriors are stationed along the walls, and there’s a massive, jagged opening to my right that looks out into the heart of the volcano.
A single throne is situated on a dais at the other end of the room, and seated on the throne is the biggest Xalgrith I’ve ever seen.
The male must be over eight feet tall, and his thick muscles bulge against his pale skin. His chest is covered with battle armor, but his arms are exposed, showing numerous thick scars and burn marks. A bone crown sits on his white hair, and I try not to think about where those bones came from.
“Well, I guess we’ve found the Xalgrith king,” I mutter to the shadows. “Lucky us.”
The king, who has been busy talking to a warrior beside him, looks up when we stop a few paces in front of his throne.
I take the liberty to hide behind the professor, because this guy is seriously intimidating.
“It’s about time,” the king booms. “Do you have her?”
I’m busy staring longingly at the exit when Professor Yevar steps to the side, leaving me completely exposed.
The king grunts as his gaze rakes over me, and I give him an awkward wave.
“She’s not much to look at,” King Malgur comments. “She’s smaller than I expected. From what you’ve told me, I thought she’d be more impressive.”
I would complain, but he has a point. “You’re so right your, uh, Highness,” I say, agreeing with him emphatically. “So if Professor Yevar could just give me my creature’s egg back, and you could free the missing students for me, I’ll just be on my way.”
“Oh look, Tarlaz. She’s saying stupid things again,” Elgen croaks.
“What? No, I’m being friendly. Who knows maybe these guys aren’t as bad as we think. I mean, everyone deserves a redemption arc, right?”
Elgen’s answering laughter is shrill in my mind. “Oh, you still have so much to learn.”
I’m distracted when the king starts laughing.
At least, I think he’s laughing. It sounds more like he’s trying to hack up a fur ball, but going by his amused expression, yep, I’m guessing it’s laughter.
“Ah, she has balls, this one,” the king rasps.
“Perhaps she is puny on the outside, but strong on the inside. We shall see. As long as you’re sure you have the right one. ”
Professor Yevar smiles. “Yes, King Malgur. She is the fated mate to the four shadow warriors who are destined to close the fold between our worlds. She is their weakness, and we can use her to win this war once and for all.”
The king looks exceptionally pleased by this. “To lose one’s mate is truly a torturous thing. I shall enjoy seeing the pain it brings them.”
He stares at me, holding my gaze. I want to look away, but it’s as if I can’t. Cruelty shines in those milky depths, and my mouth goes dry, but I force myself to speak. I have no idea when or if my guys will rescue me. “The students,” I say, bringing them up again. “What have you done with them?”
A smile curves his lips. “Ah, the humans. I was skeptical when General Yevar first told me of his plan to bring them here, but they have proven to be most useful.”
General Yevar? I barely have time to think about Professor Yevar’s different title here, because the king gestures toward a side door, and my heart hits the floor as two humans walk out.
Jensen no longer has a mohawk, and his movements are stiff as he walks to the side of the king’s throne and stops, but his other features are unmistakable. Beside him, the other man does the same, though I don’t recognize the student.
Without thinking, I rush forward, stopping in front of my friend. “Jensen! Are you okay?” Relief fills me, and I realize that until this moment, deep down I’d thought the students were dead. “It’s me, Shade. You know, new girl,” I say.
My relief slowly fades when I realize neither of the students are looking directly at me.
Their milky eyes are unfocused, and they stare blankly ahead.
Patches of translucent skin cover parts of their body, and they’re dressed in the same battle armor as the Xalgrith warriors, with two curved swords at their sides.
My gaze lowers to Jensen’s right hand, and when I see the severed stump where his index finger used to be, nausea hits me.
“Holy crap! Your finger.” I lean forward, reaching for Jensen’s injured hand, but the moment my fingers touch his, he lashes out, throwing me across the room. I land in a heap on the warm, stone floor, and my bones ache at the impact.
“Don’t touch me, human,” Jensen rattles, and his voice is hoarse and broken.
“Now, now,” Professor Yevar says calmly to Jensen. “That’s no way to treat our guest of honor.”
Jensen’s expression doesn’t change. He stares blankly ahead again, and he straightens his stance. “Yes, Commander,” he replies woodenly.
My body aches, and I’m pretty sure I’ll have a few bruises tomorrow, but I don’t think anything’s broken, and I struggle to my feet. “What have you done to him?”
King Malgur leans back and smiles. “Our new hybrid warriors have proven to be a great addition to our army.”
Hybrid warriors? Does he mean like super soldiers?
I don’t want to believe it. I want to think that Jensen is the same aloof guy who used to train with me at Shadowbone, but the throbbing in my muscles makes me wary.
“You’ve possessed them,” I accuse, gesturing to Jensen and the other student.
“Possession?” King Malgur laughs. “We don’t need such methods. No, the students came to see reason after some…persuasion, and perhaps, a little of my influence. Now they’re as loyal as my own warriors.”
My stomach roils. “They brainwashed the students,” I rasp to Elgen and Tarlaz in horror.
“They’ve done more than that, girl. Look at their eyes,” Elgen comments.
I study Jensen’s face, but he still isn’t looking at me.
“This is barbaric,” I say. “How could you do this to them? Cutting off their fingers and torturing them.”
“Cutting off their fingers?” King Malgur looks offended. “Now why would I do that?”
I blink, surprised by his answer. “But you’ve obviously hurt them.”
King Malgur smiles wickedly. “Jozrac, a demonstration please.”
“Who the hell is Jozrac?” I murmur to the shadows.
“Oh, prepare yourself girl,” Elgen replies. “It’s about to get messy.”
“What?” I don’t understand what she’s talking about until Jensen pulls out one of his daggers.
“No,” I whisper. “Oh, please tell me he’s not going to…” My heart stutters as he lifts his other hand, and he positions the blade above one of his fingers.
“I’m not sure if that’s loyalty,” Tarlaz comments. “But it’s certainly compliance.”
“Stop!” I shout, but Jensen doesn’t listen to me.
He begins to carve the blade slowly into his finger, and blood oozes from the wound.
“Please! Stop!” I plead, twisting my hands together. I want to rush at Jensen and pull the blade away, but I know I can’t. For all I know, Jensen would use the dagger on me instead.
It’s not until I beg for a third time and Jensen has almost cut his finger off, that King Malgur orders him to stop.
“What is wrong with you!” I snap at the king, my chest heaving.
“Careful,” Elgen warns, but it’s too late.
King Malgur’s expression changes, the amusement vanishing and cold, hard disgust filling his eyes instead.
“Commander Yevar promised that you would be different from the other students. That you’d willingly be the weapon we need.
But it’s obvious you’re going to have to be broken, just like the rest of them. ”
What? No. Panic makes my heart race. Why are there so many evil rulers in the realms? If I ever meet Lady Fate, I’m really going to give her a piece of my mind.
“Your Highness, I don’t think that will be necessary,” Professor Yevar says, but King Malgur isn’t listening.
“Take her away,” the king orders.
Jensen and the other student grab me roughly under the arms, and I struggle as they drag me from the throne room.