Chapter 47
Elira
I was home free.
I could see the door.
By now, Vael had to know I’d escaped. His soldiers were scrambling—clutching at shadows. But I passed through them like air.
If I could get outside, I could run. I could become the dark again. I could find my Shades.
I kept telling myself that. Over and over.
One more step. Just one more—
Then I heard it.
A scream.
High. Sharp. Terrified.
It sounded like Maddie.
No.
I stopped. Solid.
My hand was already on the door handle. I could feel freedom pressing against my fingertips—
And I turned.
I couldn’t leave.
Vael stood on the second-floor landing, cloaked in white robes like the rest of his zealots. His hood was down. That sinfully beautiful, hateful face fully visible.
His blood-red eyes burned with challenge.
And in his arms—
His hand wrapped tight around her throat—
Maddie.
She was dressed like a maid. For a second, I didn’t recognise her.
But her face. Gods. Her face. She was turning blue.
“Maddie…”
My voice broke. Then I snapped back to fury.
“Let her go,” I snarled.
Vael tilted his head, amused. “Oh, Elira, Elira. You know I won’t. You’re so predictable, pet. I knew you’d try to run. That spark of rebellion… it’s your best trait.”
He glanced down at Maddie, tightening his grip. “Consider your friend… leverage.”
I took a step forward, shadows stirring. Thorne held up his hand from his place behind Vael, willing me to pause. Vael’s grip tightened on Maddie’s throat. I heard her whimper slightly.
I looked at Vael again. I couldn’t stop the words.
“Why are you like this?” I whispered. “Why do you have to destroy everything?”
Vael laughed—deep and hollow. “Why? Why? Because this world is a festering boil made of rot. A cage of weakness. Because mortals breed like maggots and call it purpose.”
He stepped closer, red eyes gleaming. “I was made in that rot. I clawed my way out. The only way to change anything is to rise above it. Power, Elira. Power is the only truth.”
“And then what?” I screamed. “You tear it all down and stand on the ashes? What do you even want?”
Vael smiled like a god seeing a mortal finally blink.
“You,” he said softly. “I want you.”
He stepped to me slowly, dragging Maddie behind him like a pet on a leash.
“I saw your magic that first day in Shadowmere. It fluttered around you like the perfect aura. And in that moment I saw the future as clear as day. You were a beautiful child, this is true. But it was your soul, your spirit I craved. Your father – he couldn’t see it.
He wouldn’t let me have you,” He shook his head like my father was unreasonable.
“So you killed him. And took me anyway.”
Vael nodded like my words congratulated him on a job well done.
“That wasn’t always the plan. Even Ashton disagreed, but it worked in my favour. I had you for ten years. Ten perfect years.”
Thorne moved down the stairs until he reached my side. As soon as he got to me, he took my arm gently. Too gentle.
Like he already knew the fight had left me.
“Be still, little shadow,” he whispered. “Please.”
I’ve got you.
The words echoed in my head. Familiar. Too familiar.
Had he said them aloud? Or had I imagined it—remembered it?
My eyes flicked to his.
He was watching me too closely. Like he was memorising me. Like he was trying to say something without words.
Little shadow…
His eyes were green, just for a moment. No. They couldn’t be.
I felt it then—a brush of something in my mind.
A flicker of power.
Thorne?
Outside, the walls trembled again—another blast. Ashton’s siege was still raging.
But Vael barely glanced at the sound.
He sighed. Shook his head like a weary teacher humouring a child.
“I suppose we should deal with that,” he said.
Then he turned to his soldiers and gestured lazily.
“Go on, then. Kill them all. I don’t want them interfering with what comes next.”
Vael’s gaze slid back to me, his grip tightening on Maddie like she was nothing but leverage. He smiled.
“Bring her,” he said to Thorne. “It’s time.”
His voice was like silk. A priest delivering benediction over a pyre.
“To the spring?” one of the monks asked.
Vael nodded, eyes never leaving mine. “Where else does rebirth begin?”
He turned and began to descend the stairs, dragging Maddie behind him.
Thorne hesitated only a breath before guiding me after him, his fingers like ice on my arm. I didn’t fight. Not yet.
The walls groaned as another blast hit above us, dust falling like snow. Somewhere beyond, the war raged.
But down there…
Down there, something worse was waiting.