Page 58 of Twisted Bonds

As we approach the door, I notice the air growing colder and heavier. It’s as if the very atmosphere is trying to smother us, snuffing out any hope or light that tries to pierce through the veil of darkness. I glance over at Bobble, noting his tense posture and clenched fists, and know he feels it too.

“Stay alert,” I warn him, my voice low and serious. “He’s not going to make things easy for us. There are probably wards around this place and potentially hundreds of guards. We’ll sneak as long as possible.”

“Understood,” Bobble replies grimly, and I can see the resolve in his eyes. He may be the gentle giant among us, but when push comes to shove, I know he’ll fight with everything he has to protect those he cares about.

In my mind, the awareness of Mira bursts open. Her shield is off. Bobble and I exchange glances, a feral grin spreading across my face as her presence is close enough to feel.

We’ll level this mountain to find her if needed.

twenty-eight

Tairyn

The deep maroon of her magic swirls around her, lighting her with an ominous glow as she sits across from me. Brow furrowed with determination, I watch her work. Despite the obstacles in her way, despite the setbacks and natural disadvantages. Humans always seem to find a way.

“Feel the threads weaving through your magic. There're parts that are missing, no? It feels incomplete, like pieces have been taken out of it. Those are the other hues of different gods. Let your mind drift back further, see the bigger picture.”

My words are meant to be soothing, almost like a chant. Instead, she glares at me, still angry with my lack of transparency, no doubt. Our gazes clash and spark with unspoken tension. A flicker of annoyance crosses her face before she refocuses on her task, the vibrant energy pulsing and expanding like a wild heartbeat.

I lean back, choosing to close my mouth for a bit. I can’t say that I blame her. Conversations shrouded in cryptic misdirection and double meanings have become commonplace for me ever since I started working for Yurghen. My last conversation with Malicryn was the most direct bit of information I’ve ever received.

That’s exactly why I trust it. She was too scared to even pretend to play power games with me. And she admitted her own secret in the process. She also has a bonded bargain with Yurghen that she’s unwilling to break.

Breaking my own bargain, moving against him, defying him, would cost me everything. My Chroma would be ripped away from me, yet again. And I’d live this one life, maybe another forty years, and die forever.

Ripping open the Great River is ludicrous though. And does that include closing it also? If the River is open, I’ll need to learn more from Yurghen, how to tether my soul to the living realm. My eyes dart to Mira, the light casting strange shadows across her soft features.

I’d also need to learn how to tether other souls as well.

There’d be no point in living forever with Yurghen as my only companion.

What am I doing? Am I actually considering this? No, I just need to prepare Mira to fight him. Let her do my dirty work. If she truly kills him, then he’d be breaking his bargain. It’s perfect.

I’ll remain his loyal dog until she kills him.

Mira grunts with effort. Her power is weaker than I anticipated, having defeated Yurghen. Perhaps she’s holding back.

I sense Callum approaching before I hear him. I released his shield the same time as Mira’s, so I’m not surprised he came to find us. The door to my private study bursts open with a ferocity I don’t recognize in him. Annoyance flickers through me at the rude interruption.

“Callum?” she asks, letting her magic wisp away in the confusion. His eyes are an inferno of rage, trained on me as he stalks over.

Standing, I put on a bored mask. “Yes?”

“I should kill you where you stand!” Callum snarls, his usually calm demeanor shredded to nothing but raw, anger-infused determination.

I splay my hands in front of me, the definition of nonchalance, a ghost of a smirk on my lips. “That would be quite the mess to clean up in my study for poor Silvia. The girl really needs an extra set of hands. I’ve been considering hiring another, with the additional guests to take care of and what not, but I’m just not sure who can be trusted.”

Callum rolls his eyes at my tangent, and I don’t try to suppress my amusement, but Mira is on her feet, glancing between us. “What’s going on?”

“Yes, Cal. Enlighten us.”

His jaw twitches at the nickname, but his gaze softens as it lands on Mira. “I can feel you. Feel your anger. I didn’t know what he was doing in here, but I’ve had enough of his games,” he says, finally turning back to me. “We’re leaving.”

“I can’t let you do that,” I reply, summoning a trace of deep violet Chroma to cast a sinister light across my face.

“You brought me to this place and held me captive for months. I could handle that. But now you’ve brought her into the mix, constantly taunting her. She’s not at your beck and call. Her anxiety is so high I’m chewing on my fingers. You won’t treat her like this again.”

Mira looks as surprised as I feel. The way he speaks of knowing her mind, her feelings, it does something to me. I restrain myself, as I’m tempted to throw him to the floor and punish his outburst. However, I believe Mira will need him if she’s going to be successful.

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