Page 147 of The Shadow Wand

Thierren stuffs our discarded clothing into one of the horses’ packs then hands both Lukas and me dark cloaks that match his own. We throw them on, then mount the horses, pull on our cloaks’ hoods, and take off through the woods down a rough, winding path as explosions and the roar of dragons reverberate in the distance.

Eventually we come to what looks like a long-abandoned Keltish guard tower, the top of the structure charred to oblivion, lichen growing over its crumbling stone walls. The explosions booming from the direction of the city are now faint disturbances that mingle with the muted roll of thunder from the storm that’s been gathering for more than a day. A storm that, I imagine, will be quite violent when it finally breaks.

We ride around the structure’s stone corner, and my heart leaps.

Aislinn.

An almost debilitating surge of relief sweeps through me.

She’s standing beside Sparrow and Effrey alongside two more horses tethered to a rusted hitching post. The large black Frezian steeds are loaded with saddlebags, and brand-new silver wire spectacles frame Effrey’s fear-stricken purple eyes. Just above them all, Raz’zor perches on an overhanging tree limb like some bone-white, reptilian bird, his ruby eyes set fervidly on me.

Aislinn is dressed as I am, in simple, homespun garb, a cloak fastened over her shoulders, her hood casting her face in shadows. Dark circles anchor her eyes as she stares at me with a jagged intensity that speaks of prolonged, horrific struggle.

“Aislinn,” I rasp, my voice breaking as we all dismount and I go to her, the two of us falling into a tight, emotional embrace. “Lukas got you out,” I say as we hug each other close. “Thank the Ancient One.”

Aislinn pulls away, clutching my arms as she glances at Lukas and Thierren, who are recounting to Sparrow what happened as they boost Effrey onto one of the Frezians. “Sparrow got me out,” Aislinn tells me, her voice tremulous. “And she brought my two servants, as well. We’re to meet them and take them East too.” Stark urgency lights Aislinn’s green eyes. “Elloren... Sparrow told me that you’re the Black Witch. That it’s been you all this time.”

I bite my lip and nod as my eyes catch on what looks like a healing bruise on Aislinn’s cheek and a fresher ring of bruising around the base of her neck.

A flash of outrage spears through me. “You’re hurt,” I say as red-hot fire sparks and crackles through my lines. “Did Damion do that to you?”

Aislinn’s face twists into a pained grimace, the answer clear in her expression as she looks away. The desire for vengeance courses through me, along with the urge to grab every branch that litters the forest floor.

I want to find Damion Bane. I want to stalk him, branch or wand in hand, and finish what Lukas started.

Fury burns in my throat, followed by a rush of guilt.It was supposed to be me fasted to that monster. Not you.

“I’m so sorry, Aislinn,” I tell her, my voice trembling with outrage. “He’ll pay for this. I swear to you, someday he’ll pay for this.”

Aislinn shakes her head, her expression brittle. There’s a deep line between her eyes that wasn’t there before. But when she brings her gaze back to mine, her green eyes fire with rebellion. “I’m going to join the Lupines, Elloren.”

I pull in a harsh breath in response to her unflinching declaration, a welter of emotions rolling through me. “We’ll get to the Eastern Realm,” I say, choked up now. “And you’ll be with Jarod again.”

Aislinn’s face tightens with anguish as her voice lowers to a hoarse whisper. “Jarod will never want me now. Damiondidthings...made me do things...” She looks away, her frown quavering with disgust, the compounded weight of her pain in her expression. “He threatened to hurt my servant if I didn’t obey.” She meets my eyes again, and her gaze is so haunted, a chill runs through me. “Yillya is only twelve years old. I had to protect her...” She looks away again, as if she can’t bear for me to see the extent of her shame. “Lupines mate for life,” she says roughly as she wipes away a tear with the back of her trembling hand. “No. Jarod won’t want me anymore.” She looks back at me, her expression turning vengeful. “But I want Jarod to make me Lupine. So I can come back and find Damion Bane. As a Lupine.”

A tremor runs down my spine, so lethal is Aislinn’s expression. I’m reminded of Diana’s ferocity.

“Elloren.” Lukas’s urgent tone pulls my attention from Aislinn. He’s gripping the reins of our two Thoroughbreds, his green eyes fixed tight on me. I notice that he’s standing apart from Thierren and Sparrow, who are waiting by the Frezians and Thierren’s Thoroughbred. Effrey clutches the mane of his Frezian, looking nervous. “You and I need to go,now,” Lukas insists.

Shock flashes through me as I realize he means just me and him. Leaving Aislinn and the others to travel East on their own.

A sudden spiral of clarity descends.

We have to separate.

The full might of Gardnerian and the Vu Trin forces are bent on trying to catch or killme. If we all travel together, I might bring those forces down on the heads of Aislinn, Sparrow, Effrey, and Thierren. And Lukas and I can move faster alone.

Black Witch,a low, snarling voice sounds in my mind.

Mind reeling, I glance up to find Raz’zor peering at me from his perch, calm as a predator on watch. The words he’s sending me are fierce, but devoid of any ire.

They’re a challenge. A call to battle.

I hold the dragon’s red gaze, a flash of his scarlet fire sizzling through me, prompting a deep, bolstering breath.

I turn back to Aislinn, forcing courage even as the walls of Erthia close around me, inspired by Raz’zor’s steady ferocity and his fire.

“Iwillsee you in the Eastern lands,” I say to Aislinn. “And your eyes will glowamber.”

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