Page 53 of Bonded to the Fallen Shadow King

I moved to the edge and looked down.

The drop was far enough to kill, but that wasn’t what made my skin crawl.

Jagged rocks jutted up between black pools of filth. The water should have been crimson, like it had been in the last trial, and I could tell even from here that the color came from rot and decay, not magic. Sludge floated across the surface like grease on soup, thick and unbroken.

And moving in the water—my gut twisted.

Massive leeches, long and pulsing, slid through the muck. They had circular mouths full of ringed teeth like lampreys, the kind that bored straight into bone. They undulated through the filth, sucking and writhing. Alongside them skittered enormous crabs and lobsters, all in shades of shadow and bruise. Their claws clicked against one another, sometimes clashing, sometimes prodding gently, like they were testing their own strength—or waiting for a signal to swarm.

It wouldn’t take much.

Whoever made the run had three options to start.

Two of the paths ahead led to the same black platform, probably twenty feet away, the boards thinner there and sagging even more. The third shot off in another direction entirely, toward a distant block that looked older but maybe offered a clearer route toward the tower so long as you didn’t mind going farther.

Squabbling voices snapped me back. We’d split into two groups again, but Calla Lily and Oaro were now with my friends. While we were a wall, the mean girls were falling apart.

Siray had her hands on her hips, and her eyes narrowed at Kaylen. “I have no interest in the prince. But I will test myself against this labyrinth to see if I can best it. Do not patronize me, air fiend. I know why you want us to remain behind.”

Glowering at Kaylen as well, Malron had her long violet hair swept back from her face. It contrasted sharply with her pink gown. “You donotget to dictate how I perform in this trial. I do want to dance with the prince, and I have the same rights as you.”

Deallan fixed the yellow flower in her hair, her smile sharp and mean. “We’re strong enough that we can handle it. Fair is fair. If we get to the end, we get the dance. You can say what you like, Kaylen, but you don’t control us.”

Hands on her hips, Kaylen glared at them. “If you think you can make it to the tower, be my guests. But don’t expect us to wait when you fail.”

“Very well.” Malron turned on her heel, her back facing Kalyen. “Try not to fall in, harpy.”

I drew back toward the others as Malron strode to the center path. An unsettled sensation twisted inside me. Why would Malron be foolish enough to turn her back on Kaylen after she’d stabbed so many that way?

The low heavy clicking sounds intensified, rising above the clacking sounds below.

“Looks like there’s trouble in their cabal.” Quen quietly snorted. The fire beetle emblem on her discs glowed faintly.

“Trouble or not, I’ve got no chance of climbing anything.” Velessa hugged herself, supporting her arm carefully and clutching both discs to her chest. “I’ll stay here.”

“We don’t all have to go,” Yuki said. “Those creatures down there—if I can’t use my magic, I’ve got nothing.”

Myantha nodded, her dark-brown eyes wide as she looked at the paths.

Already at the edge of the southern route, Rhielle yanked her sleeves high. She called over her shoulder, “I’ll get to the end as swiftly as possible. Stay safe.” She hopped onto the board, then continued testing steps along the walkway. The boards creaked with each step.

I didn’t doubt her. A little bit of tension seeped from my shoulders at having one less person to protect. Rhielle would make it to the end. Spite was one of the best motivators.

Unfortunately, Kaylen would probably make it too.

Malron walked down the middle path, heading for the closest block.

The lilac-haired mean girl who had stayed pretty quiet had slipped over to the top of the block. She jumped onto one of the floating planks.

“Let’s go.” I motioned forward, scanning the rest of the group. “We’ll stay here and keep as many of the creatures off as we can, then move when we have to. Who wants to be the third? Maybe a fourth? Anyone who is staying needs to help guard.”

Malron was now a third of the way down the center path, followed by Siray.

Malron paused and faced us. She shouted at Kaylen, “See you later, you fecking—” But then blades shot through the wooden planks. Six deadly spikes flung up, and two impaled Marlon instantly. Her body hung for a moment, lifeless and limp.

Then the circular blades retracted, and she fell into the dark waters below.

Mere inches from where the spikes had been, Siray screamed.

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