Page 84 of Shadowed Fate

I jerk back, my heart pounding. "No," I gasp, pressing my palms against Marius's chest. "I can't."

His eyes narrow, searching my face. "Can't? Or won't?"

"Both," I manage, my voice shaky. I take another step back, putting distance between us. "I don't know what game you're playing, Marius, but I won't be a pawn in it."

He doesn't move. "This is no game, little bird."

"Stay away from me." I turn and flee, not daring to look back as I race towards my room. I slam the door behind me, leaning against it as I try to slow my breathing.

My legs give out and I slide to the floor, trembling. My body still hums with unfulfilled desire, my shadow magic roils beneath my skin.

"Shit," I mutter, burying my face in my hands.

I take a shaky breath, forcing myself to stand. My legs feel like jelly, but I manage to stumble to my wardrobe and open the doors. Dropping to my knees, I loosen the bottom panel, feeling around until my fingers brush against cool leather of the book I took from the library. I’ve read about half of it already but haven’t found anything useful yet.

I pull it out, cradling it to my chest as I sit on the edge of the bed. The worn cover is warm against my skin, almost alive.

I open the book to where I left off and I flip through a few pages covered in cryptic text and bizarre illustrations, with no idea what they mean. My fingers brush over an intricate drawing of a man shrouded in shadows, ravens swirling around him. The Raven King.

I study the image. There's something hauntingly familiar in those eyes staring back at me from the page.

As I squint at the tiny text beneath the illustration, the words hard to make out. They snap into focus, and I can read them clearly:

"The Raven King's power lies not in shadow, but in blood. His heir shall rise, born of two worlds, to claim the throne of night."

I go numb as the implications sink in.

The Raven King's heir...

Could it be me?

The visions, the ravens that have haunted me my whole life—suddenly, they take on a new, terrifying meaning.

I slam the book shut, my hands shaking.

Marius's words echo in my mind, tempting and dangerous. He could help me understand this power, master it. But at what cost?

I think of Rory. Of Tiernan. They deserve to know. They all do. But what if they turn on me?

A soft tapping at the window makes me jump. Another raven perches on the sill, its beady eyes fixed on me. As I watch, more gather, their wings a whisper against the glass.

"What do you want from me?"

I sense... something. A presence. Watching. Waiting.

I back away from the window. "Who's there?"

Only silence answers, but I can feel it, lurking just beyond my sight.

Chapter 36

Callen

Blood rushes in my ears as I stalk across the grounds, rage burning through my veins.

That bitch Laria. I'll fucking eviscerate her for this.

I know she had something to do with what happened at the assembly. I'd warned her to stay away, but of course she couldn't resist. I take a deep breath, forcing the anger down. Deal with Laria later. Right now, I need to find Brigid.

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