Page 3 of Kingdom of Shadows and Wings

Mother stores our valuables in a locked room near her bedchamber that I periodically break into to liberate coins and help struggling families.

The villagers need food. I need a hobby. It’s a win-win if you ask me.

The tavern door flies open again. Pulling my hood down to obscure my face, I scoot back into the shadows. A couple stumbles outside, giggling and trading kisses, completely oblivious to anyone but each other.

Another burst of longing pinches my chest. I can only imagine the freedom they must feel to behave so carefree in public like that. What must that be like? I doubt they’re lonely either. Not when they have each other.

Luke pockets the coins and heads for the wagon to peer inside. He licks his lips. “Did you bring any of those lemon tarts?”

I chuckle. “There are plenty of lemon tarts, so help yourself.”

“Yes!”

Together, we unhitch the wagon and remove Barney’s harness, and I saddle him in preparation for my trip home. Royce will take the food where it needs to go. Once they’re finished, someone will drop the cart off in the same spot I found it tonight. After a little trial and error, we have our system down.

Luke straightens. “I’m all set. Let me walk you to the trail.”

Along the way, he sobers, a serious expression aging his face to the point where he could pass for an adult. “You mean a lot to Father. What you’re doing…it’s helping so many people.”

Not enough. I know that. I want to do more, but for now, this will have to suffice. “It’s a joint effort. Your father’s a good man, and I happen to think very highly?—”

The snap of a twig echoes from the trees behind us. My body goes rigid. As I spin in the direction of the noise, Barney sidesteps and jerks at the reins with a sharp whinny. “What was that?”

Luke’s eyes widen. “I don’t know, but it sounded big.”

The ground shakes, and roots explode from the dirt right in front of us. They grab for our legs and feet like an army of spindly hands.

I leap back and yell. “Earth elemental! Run!”

Chapter Two

Branches burst from a nearby tree, lunging to snag at our clothing and hair. Vines twine around my waist like ropes and drag me toward the forest.

Terror knots in my throat, blocking my scream.

“Earth elemental?” Luke gasps, his voice two octaves higher from fear. “But who? How?”

Good questions I have no answers for. I struggle with the branches, digging my boots in the dirt and fighting to rip myself free. Nothing works. The branches keep dragging me toward the darkness. I reach for my own magic, but the remedy is doing its job. Though I locate the area where my power resides, it’s trapped, locked into an iron box by the magic suppressant tablets.

Ziva save us.

I toss up a prayer to the fire goddess, not that I expect an answer. That’s probably for the best. If the gods were still watching us, Ziva would have smote me long ago for rejecting my power.

Luke takes a brave step toward the forest, his fists raised in front of his face. “Stop and reveal yourself!”

More roots burst from the ground like the legs of a giant spider, twisting and winding at an alarming speed up Luke’s body. They bind his wrists and ankles, and he cries out when a sharp edge pricks his hand and draws blood. Another vine snakes up his neck to his face, wrapping around his mouth to form a gag.

“Luke!”

Strong arms envelop me from behind and grab my hands. That unwelcome touch, combined with the sight of Lucas getting mauled, transforms into rage. Magic swells inside me, rattling its cage until a few embers escape and simmer the blood in my veins. In a flash, tiny sparks erupt along my skin.

My attacker recoils with a pained groan.

Flinging my head back, I smack my assailant’s nose with an audible crunch and follow with an elbow to the gut. Defensive maneuvers that Otis taught me.

The temporary distraction loosens our attacker’s grip on his earth element. I take full advantage, unshackling myself from the branches enough to reach the dagger in my boot. My quick burst of magic has already fizzled out, so I hack at this enormous asshole of a drakewood tree with my blade.

A few slashes later, I’m free, and the tree is a few branches short. I rush to Luke and unbind him as well, keeping my body positioned toward the threat.

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