The Crow King's Wife(128)

Shade’s eyes opened slowly and all warmth was gone from the dark blue depths as he dropped his hand to point toward the remains of Prendington. “Destroy.” He hissed and the creatures filling the sky above him descended like a swarm of locusts on the city. Shade watched them for a moment then glanced at her. “He wanted it leveled like Amdany. It will be leveled.” He promised quietly as he began walking toward the ship.

Zoelyn nodded slowly her eyes following the tiny darting creatures as they tore the city apart stone by stone leaving nothing but destruction in their wake. Shaking her head she jogged after Shade and slowed her pace once she reached his side. “What are those things, Shade?” She whispered as she glanced quickly toward the city then back to his pale face.

“Every raw nerve in my body given physical form.” Shade replied bitterly and the edge of his mouth turned up into a faint smile that didn’t hold a trace of warmth. “My anger, my grief, and my despair manifested. They don’t have a true name as far as I know and they won’t stay in this world long enough to need one. Once this city is gone they will fade as well.”

Nodding slowly Zoelyn stared at Shade for a long moment before stepping onto the ship. She had been studying magic with Jala as well as Seth for months, and her brother was one of the most powerful mages she knew of, but the spell Shade had just used was not one she had ever heard of. It had to be forgotten magic from beyond the Barrier or she would have heard of someone using it in some story. For the first time since she had met Shade she could see a dark side, and she knew what he had just shown her was only a pale glimpse of the true power he was hiding. The spell had to require immense energy to cast given how devastating it was, yet Shade didn’t look the slightest bit worn, which meant his magic reserves were well beyond what most mages possessed.

“All of the slaves, three Snow Cats, and a horse that belongs to Grim now.” Shade informed her as he motioned to the back of the ship on his way to the pilot’s seat. “I had no choice but the shrink them for transport. There were too many people to fit on the ship otherwise.” He explained softly as he dropped into the seat and pressed his hands over the control panel. A soft hum ran over the ship as Shade prepared for takeoff.

Zoelyn’s gaze moved to the stack of crates near the back of the ship and she felt relief well in her until her gaze landed on Grim. With a gasp she crossed quickly to his side and dropped down beside Syrah as she swiftly inventoried his wounds.

“Can you help him?” Syrah whispered in a pleading voice. Her wide grey eyes were full of tears and the expression on her fragile face was positively wretched.

Smiling softly Zoelyn nodded her head and hugged the child carefully taking care not to touch her with bare flesh. “I’ll do everything I can for him.” She promised as she pushed all other thoughts from her mind. Grim needed her full attention and she knew it. She didn’t have time to contemplate Seth or Shade’s strange behavior, and she was almost grateful for the distraction.

“I’m glad you didn’t go with him.” Dray’s voice was barely a whisper and she could hear a thickness in his voice that spoke of tears.

“I think I am too.” Zoelyn agreed softly.





Chapter 15





Delvay





Gnawing hunger tore through her as she bent lower over Grim’s body. She could feel the curse eating away her willpower, but she knew Grim was too weak to withstand even the feeblest draining if she gave into the desire. She had managed to stabilize him on the flight home, but there was still so much healing to do. The flesh beneath her hand was far too hot and clammy and she knew she would have to put every skill Dominic had ever taught her to the test if she was going to save his life.

Grim’s hand rose weakly to push her away as he tried to sit up for the fifth time since she had begun removing one of the arrow heads embedded deeply in his side and she had to stifle a curse. On the ship he had been unconscious, but he had woken shortly after they had moved him to a room in House Delvayon and he had been a thorn to work on since.

“I am never going to get this arrowhead out if you don’t stop, Grim.” Zoelyn muttered through clenched teeth as she firmly pushed him flat onto the bed once more.

“Shade.” The name was barely a whisper through his lips, but somehow Grim turned the single word into a demand.

“I don’t know where he is, Grim. I’ve told you that. I promise once I have you patched up properly I will go find him.” Zoelyn sighed. He sprawled under he hands once more, but she knew he hadn’t given up. His fever was so high he wasn’t thinking clearly and he was obsessed with finding Shade. Once he had enough energy to attempt to push her away again he would, which meant she only had a few minutes to remove the remainder of the quills from his side.