Page 59 of Shadows of Fate

Silver Reflection

Raiden

Afew moments before.

Bastian, Delano, and I were watching the front of the house. Cedar would do a quick swoop above when it was time for us to go inside. The six of us agreed that going in at the same time would render the best results.

“What are you thinking over there, boss?” Bastian inquired.

I shook my head. “I’ve just had a weird feeling since we arrived this evening. Something feels off. My shadows have been restless, and I don’t know. It could be nothing.” I shrugged, trying to play it off.

“Maybe it’s just our queen being out of your sight, or you’re worried about her.” Bastian smirked, trying to lighten the mood.

I chuckled. “No, it’s not that. Although I do enjoy the sight of her, I know she can handle herself just fine. I’m sure it’s nothing.”

We were both quiet for a moment before Bastian spoke again. “It is odd, though, you know? All the houses in Kostbare, and it just happens that the one we’re led to is the last job she had. I used to believe in coincidences.”

“You don’t now?”

He looked me in the eye, his eyes grim. “No, not a chance.” Cedar chose that moment to swoop around the house before dipping back down behind it. “Keep your wits about you, My Lord. I’ve got your back.”

I dipped my head in thanks. As we started toward the front of the house, I felt Silvana’s power rise slightly, and I smiled to myself.

“Are you thinking about me back there?”I sent through our bond. “I can feel your magic rising in a way that it only does when I make your thighs clench and your heart rate speed up.”

Her magic rose again.

“I was, and now with your voice in my head, I’m feeling a bit distracted. Probably not the way I should be going into this, My Lord,”she replied back.

“Ah, this is true. I’m quite bored up front here. The view of Bastian from behind is not even close to the same as you, my darling,”I purred.

I could feel her smile through our bond. Fuck, I loved this female. I sent a quick thank-you to the Fates again, before Bastian pushed the front door open, and we headed in.

“Going in, see you soon,”she said back.

“Looking forward to it, My Queen,”I replied, and nothing had ever been more true. I couldn’t wait to be back by her side, pulling her under my arm and smelling nothing but her raspberry and honey scent.

We walked into the house Elias had previously owned, and I did a quick sweep with my eyes. It was strange because the place was completely empty.

I heard him before I saw him. The male came out of the far corner of the room from the shadows. He threw a dagger at Bastian, who rapidly pulled up a wall of his shadows. The dagger came through, but slower. Shadow stone not only injured us, forcing us to heal at a mortal rate. But it was also immune to magic itself and broke through any magic barrier easily.

“Shadow stone blades, be careful, darling,”I told Silvana through our bond.

Bastian was able to move out of the way, and I released my shadows, taking care of the male with little effort. He was a puddle of dust before he could even take note that his dagger hadn’t hit its target.

I heard Silvana head upstairs to dispatch the last one of the males guarding the house.

“Just three of them?” Bastian questioned, looking around the downstairs. I walked back through, glancing around the kitchen.

“It would appear so,” I replied back. “Do you see anything, Delano?”

A soft thud came from behind me. “No, I don’t see anything else, My Lord,” Delano responded.

I walked back into the living room area, my eyes immediately drawn to the figure on the floor. “Bastian? Del?—”

A sharp pain hit me in the right shoulder. “Sorry, My Lord. But you’ll understand.” I started to release my shadows, but another sharp pain in my side hit. I glanced down to see another shadow stone dagger in my side. I tried to move, but I couldn’t. “You see, my shadows don’t work exactly like everyone thinks they do. I’m able to withdraw shadow magic from those I touch. So, your shadows won’t work for now. It isn’t anything personal, but the Outcasts have big plans, and we need you out of the way. It’s only temporary,” Delano said quietly.

He pushed me on my stomach and started tying my wrists behind my back. I still couldn’t move, and I didn’t understand what was happening right now. His magic was unique, and it explained my shadows not killing him in an instant, but I couldn’t even speak.

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