Chapter 27 #2
Eventually, the ranks of warriors end, and we fly over rows and rows of tents.
Professor Yevar’s cobra sets us down near the largest tent, positioned in the center.
The professor dismounts, and I wince at the distance to the ground.
Okay, Shade. Don’t make a fool of yourself.
How hard can it—oof. My left foot catches on the cobra’s back as I swing my leg around, and I fall, but before I can break my neck, my shadows shoot out saving me at the last second. Phew!
“Well, that was graceful,” Elgen remarks as a few of the Xalgrith guards stationed outside the king’s tent snicker.
I grin. “Shade: one. Ground: zero.”
Professor Yevar doesn’t look impressed, and he ushers me toward the tent.
One of the guards opens the tent flap and announces our arrival, but Professor Yevar doesn’t wait. He strides inside, and I rush to keep up with him.
Flaming torches circle the main section inside the tent, illuminating a large rack of weapons that sits to my right.
Lush, patterned rugs cover the floor, and at the back, King Malgur stands in front of a throne that looks like a smaller version to the one in the volcano.
The king is gripping a sword that’s dripping with pale blood, and he glares at the Xalgrith warrior kneeling in front of him.
“Holy freaking crap, is that soldier missing both his arms?” I hiss to the shadows, and I strain my ears to make out what the armless warrior is stammering.
“T-they came out of nowhere, sire,” the soldier rasps. “The shadow demons took out our whole battalion.”
“Shadow demons?” I suck in a sharp breath. “He can’t be talking about my mates, can he?”
As if in answer, King Malgur’s gaze slides to me and Professor Yevar, and we stop a short distance away.
“And where was your battalion stationed at the time?” the king snarls, though he keeps his hard gaze locked on me.
“Near the Hollow Lands in the west, sire,” the warrior on his knees replies. “They took us by surprise. We couldn’t—”
All it takes is a heartbeat and a slash of the king’s sword, and the warrior’s head thuds to the floor, followed by his body.
“And just like that I’m glad I didn’t eat,” I murmur to the shadows as I fight against the urge to run.
As if the warrior meant nothing, King Malgur hands his sword to a nearby soldier, and he turns, dropping onto his throne. The soldier hurries to clean the king’s blade, while two more warriors roll up the body in one of the carpets, and quickly remove it from the tent.
I tremble as King Malgur’s gaze holds me hostage.
“Any bright ideas?” I ask the shadows, though we all know I’m not going anywhere. I could try and run, but even if I managed to exit the tent, then where would I go?
“You heard what the soldier said,” Tarlaz replies. “The shadow demons are to the west. There is hope for us.”
My heart stutters. “So you do think they were talking about my mates?”
“The king is concerned,” Elgen rasps. “I think it’s a likely explanation.”
The king doesn’t look concerned to me, but my heart races at the idea that my mates might be close. As quickly as it comes, my hope deflates when I remember where I am. “But they can’t come here. They can’t take on the whole Xalgrith army. You’ve seen how many warriors there are.”
“I’m sure that won’t stop them from trying,” Elgen replies.
Her words aren’t comforting and instead worry twists through me. I want to get out of here, but not if my mates are going to die during the rescue.
I’m still spiraling when King Malgur gestures for us to move closer. I follow Professor Yevar, trying my best to ignore the blood splatter that’s on some of the remaining carpets.
“It seems four shadow warriors have taken out one of my battalions,” King Malgur rasps, addressing Professor Yevar. I hate the way the king smiles when he says it. It makes me feel like I’m missing something.
“I told you she’s the key to ending this war,” Professor Yevar replies smugly, looking proud and further adding to my confusion.
King Malgur is back to staring at me, and his unwelcome gaze trails over my body. Even though I chose a reasonably conservative outfit, at least by my standards, I suddenly wish I’d conjured something a little less tight-fitting.
The king’s gaze lingers on the weapons strapped to my hips. “Yes,” he replies, agreeing to Professor Yevar’s earlier statement. “It is as you say. Having her will break those four, and our victory will be assured.”
King Malgur lifts from his throne, and he moves closer, circling me like a predator sizing up its prey. I stand straighter, determined not to look terrified, even though my knees feel like jelly. “We’ll call you the Shadow Destroyer,” he muses as he stares at me.
I keep my chin high, and I’m focused on standing as still as a statue, when his hand brushes against my ass. I don’t think about what I do next. Instinctively, I send out my shadows, but before they can strike the king, Professor Yevar’s shadows intercept mine.
The king lets out a rasping laugh, and he delivers a blow to my face that makes my head crack to the side and forces me to my knees. The air rushes from my lungs, and even though it’s the king who hit me, I glare at Professor Yevar, realizing just how much I hate him.
“I told you not to embarrass me.” Professor Yevar’s shadow whisper is like oil against my ears.
I don’t reply, and anger surges through me. Don’t cry, Shade. Don’t you dare cry.
“You’re all right, girl,” Elgen tells me soothingly. “Chin up. Don’t let him see you breaking.”
Her words are just enough to make me blink rapidly and stubbornly lift my chin again.
King Malgur gestures with his head, and two warriors wrench me to my feet.
“Good. You’re going to need that fire,” the king rasps and laughs cruelly.
He takes a step toward me again, but a guard sticks his head through the tent flap.
“Sorry, sire,” the guard barks. “But there’s been another attack. They’re getting closer.”
My face is still throbbing, but this time it’s my turn to smile.
King Malgur regards me, his lips curving up. “Don’t worry, by the time they find you, you’ll either be so broken they don’t recognize their mate, or you’ll be the one telling them you belong to me.”