The Shadow Queen (Ravenspire, #1)(89)

The only choice left to make in the last moments of his self-control was whether he’d kill Lorelai or go after Gabril’s family instead.

Kol, no. Lorelai’s voice was full of horror as he pushed her away from him and turned toward the entrance to the cave.

Irina laughed as he dove into the water and began moving toward the capital.




THIRTY-SIX


LORELAI’S LEGS FELT too weak to hold her as she stumbled to the edge of the cave and peered into the thick sheet of water, still shaking from the remnants of the pain Irina had sent into her through her connection to Kol. She couldn’t see Kol, but she could sense his thoughts—fragmented, full of agony, and poisoned by the presence of Irina in his head.

It didn’t make sense. If Irina had so much power over Kol, why hadn’t she used it weeks ago when she’d first taken his heart? Why let Lorelai heal him and create a bond with her magic?

Kol sent her an image of the vicious whispers of his collar. Of the way Irina’s control over him felt far more powerful than it had before.

Lorelai sent back an image of her pursuing him as he raced to the capital with the speed of his dragon, and then ignored his instant objection as she tightened the laces on her boots. Just a few hours ago, she’d felt triumphant. Certain that she’d weakened Irina’s heart to the point of ruin and that confronting her at the castle was a battle Lorelai could win.

Now, Lorelai had lost the battle for Kol, had lost an ally who could help her fight with fire, and was separated from Gabril while Kol raced to kill Gabril’s family. She had no time to plan, no time to gather information and figure out how to swing the odds back into her favor. She had to act swiftly, or Irina would win the war before Lorelai even arrived at the battlefield.

Standing at the edge of the cave, droplets of frigid water misting her skin, she called up Gabril’s face. The shape of his mind. The way he’d erected a barrier between his thoughts and hers.

Hours ago, Lorelai wouldn’t have dreamed of destroying the wall he’d put up to keep his thoughts private from hers. But now she didn’t have the luxury of asking permission or of hoping her magic was strong enough to do what she needed. If Irina could break into any mind she’d already bonded with, then so could Lorelai. She just had to want it. And right now, she wanted it with a desperation that burned through her body with every breath.

Clenching her fists, she thought of Gabril and felt her power tingle down her arms. She imagined tendrils of power leaving her body and seeking him out in the Hinderlinde.

“Nakhgor. Find the one I seek.” Power burst from her palms, parted the waterfall, and blazed a path toward the forest.

Seconds later, she felt Gabril’s mind, still steadfastly keeping her out. “Pros`odit,” she said, and the wall in his mind cracked.

Gabril, don’t block me out. We’re in trouble, and I need your help.

There was a flash of shock, an instant of resistance, and then his calm, stoic voice said, Where are you? How can I help?

I’m in a cave under the waterfall to the west but—

I’m coming.

No! I’ll come to you. It will be much faster.

Only you? Where’s Kol?

For a moment, she faltered, her throat thickening with grief and her heart aching.

What happened? The sympathy in Gabril’s voice snapped Lorelai back to her senses. He could see her thoughts. He’d felt her grief for Kol. She had to be careful what she showed him.

Irina broke into his thoughts—which gave me the idea that I could break into yours, and I’d apologize, but we have a huge problem. She’s controlling him through the collar and through his hearts. I’m not exactly sure how because all I can see are his thoughts, not hers. But whatever she’s doing, it’s far worse than it was before. It’s like she either finally decided to stop toying with him and to display what she’s really capable of, or she found some way to increase her power.

Is he going to hurt you? The sympathy was gone and in its place was a warrior ready to defend his princess. She had to find a way to tell him that she wasn’t the one who needed defending.

No. He fought her hard enough to get away from me without hurting me, but he only left because he thinks I can’t help him. He thinks he’s going to break and do her bidding. Already, I can feel his thoughts disintegrating, turning into a dragon controlled by pain—

He’s going to be okay. Gabril’s voice was a steady lifeline for her to cling to, but she couldn’t.

He’s going to be all right because I’m going after him, and so are you. Now show me an image of where you are.

She took a deep breath and flexed her muscles as Gabril showed her a huge fallen oak tree lying close to the shack. Her muscles were stronger. Less shaky. The effects of Irina’s curse was wearing off as her own magic coursed through her veins, lending her strength. It was time to tell Gabril the truth and put a plan into place that would save everyone.

Everyone but Irina.

I’m coming to you. She’d tell him the truth when she got to him. Otherwise, he’d race toward the capital without her, and that was exactly what Irina was hoping for. Gabril chasing down Kol. Lorelai chasing Gabril. None of them focused on the true threat.

None of them focused on Irina.

She raised her arms above her head and whispered, “Voshtet. Rise with me and fly.”