Page 145 of Once the Skies Fade

Something sharp pricked my arm, and I recoiled from the pain.

Pain.

I’d felt it. Hadn’t I?

Calling to my power, I waited for it to answer, but my palms remained empty. My heartbeat quickened as the bright white faded into complete darkness that didn’t bring the same comfort as my shadows.

Until I heard him.

“Killer, I’m here.”

Where?

The question whimpered in my thoughts, but my body refused—or couldn’t—give it a voice.

This new darkness closed in around me, keeping me from seeing him.

“Can you hear me?” he asked softly, and I could almost imagine the warmth of his breath on my ear.

Still, my reply remained silent.Yes, I hear you.

“Are you sure it’s working?”

I pinched my brows together. Who was he talking to? Where was I? Was I still in the dining room? Who else was with him?

“She might be out for a few days,” another voice—a female—answered him.

A few days?

It might be days before I can see him?

No. I needed to get up now.

Despite the black void surrounding me, I called for my shadows, hoping perhaps they could speak to him when I couldn’t. They slipped from my palms, though blind as I was, I had no way to confirm they did as I commanded.

“Whoa there, Killer. We’re not alone here,” he said huskily in my ear. His deep rumble of a laugh warmed my heart. “We can do that when you wake up, but not until then.”

Directing my shadows up toward his face, I hoped he understood how I longed to get back to him.

“Matthias,” a voice, soft and distant, called to him.

Isa! She would make all of this right. She would help me against the Assembly.

My shadows snapped back into my veins of their own accord, as if frightened by my friend. I strained to make out what she said, but it was so quiet.

“Where did you get it?”

Get what? What was she talking about?

“Can we speak somewhere else?” Matthias asked.

No!I growled, but no one heard me. They couldn’t leave. I was still here. I could still hear them.

Don’t leave me,I silently begged.

Matthias’s voice came closer. “I’ll be right back, Killer.” Peace washed over me, soothing my panic, until he added, “I hope.”

The darkness finally lifted, reality drifted back into my consciousness, and the strong scent of herbs hit my nose with a hint of woods and leather. When I opened my eyes, though, Matthias wasn’t there, and I couldn’t hold back my frown.

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