Page 198 of The Shadow Wand

Along with Cael, Rhys turns toward the source of the light.

It’s coming from runic arrows, nocked into bows, as several Smaragdalfar Elves close in, murderous expressions on their emerald-patterned faces.

Their weapons aimed at Cael’s and Rhys’s heads.

CHAPTER THREE

STORM RISING

VOTHENDRILE XANTHILE

Sixth Month

Eastern Realm,

the Wyvernguard

“Your sister, Elloren Gardner, is the Black Witch.”

Trystan Gardner stills as Commander Ung Li grimly conveys this world-altering news, Trystan’s water power instantly suspended inside him.

Vothendrile Xanthile’s own power freezes as well, and he understands fully, in that moment, why they’re standing in Ung Li’s private meeting room, a circular tower at the pinnacle of the Wyvernguard’s North Twin Island. Why they’re surrounded by soldiers.

Why they confiscated Trystan’s wand before they entered.

A bright slash of lightning threads across the inky sky outside, momentarily brightening the sapphire hues of the rune lantern–lit room. Thunder rumbles over the Vo Mountains.

“That can’t be,” Trystan finally says, his voice strained, his face pale. “Elloren has no power. She’s a LevelOneMage...”

“She’s not,” Commander Li throws down, her gaze pinned on Trystan and piercing with import. “She’s been wandtested by the Vu Trin.”

“I don’t understand.”

“Your sister is more powerful than your grandmother ever was.”

The finality of Ung Li’s words sends a rush of shock through Vothendrile that’s echoed by the jolt of lightning he can sense bolting through Trystan’s internal magic.

Vothe can also feel, with his Wyvern-shifter senses, that Ung Li is truly certain about this. There’s fear there. Real fear.

And she’s one of the most fearless Vu Trin in the entire Noi guard.

Vothendrile’s mind reels.

Not only is the Black Witch back—she’s a more powerful Black Witch.

As if that were even possible.

A storm of alarm is now slashing through Trystan, invisible lightning exploding along his affinity lines, and Vothe looks to him, the conflicting emotions he’s begun to feel for this Mage whipping into a near frenzy.

Vothe’s initial animosity toward Trystan Gardner has proved to be frustratingly hard to hold on to as he’s witnessed, again and again, how Trystan has met abuse with resolve, refusing to be driven away from the Wyvernguard. Honestly dedicated to the fight against Vogel and his forces. Offering up his magic to the Vu Trin to test and figure out defenses against, even though he ends each day of magical sparring with savage bruising up and down his wand arm.

But a Black Witch sister. A sister who could destroy the Eastern Realm.

That changes everything.

“Where is she?” Trystan asks in a choked rasp, obviously understanding the potential ramifications of this.

There’s a beat of hesitation. Ung Li’s smooth, wide brow creases, and Vothendrile takes a deep breath as he realizes that she’s about to relay potentially devastating news to Trystan.

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