Page 34 of Bound In Shadow

I swallow, recalling no mention from Xelith that some official would come prying. “Matters to discuss? With me?”

He offers a tight smile, though it doesn’t reach his eyes. “I am Lord Nyrus, an appointed liaison from the council. We’ve heard rumors of your compliance, yet we see little evidence. My presence here ensures you aren’t concealing further… rebellious impulses.”

I clench my jaw, resisting the urge to lash out. “Xelith never said anything about a liaison. Where is he?”

Nyrus gestures impatiently to the guards. They move closer, a silent threat. My pulse kicks up. If I resist, they’ll drag me outby force.And Xelith is absent, leaving me to fend off this council hound alone.

“Very well,” I hiss, forcing calm. “Lead on, then.”

Nyrus inclines his head, spinning on a heel and striding out. The guards flank me, guiding me down the corridor. Anger burns in my gut.Did Xelith plan this? Or is it some sneaky maneuver by the council?We move through the fortress’s winding halls, passing columns etched with runic designs. Mana-lamps flicker overhead, shedding a cold light on the polished stone.

At last, we emerge into a small antechamber I don’t recognize, furnished with a long table and two chairs facing each other. A single, sputtering torch on the wall reveals walls lined with shelves of scrolls—like an overflow archive or record room. The air smells of dust and old ink.

Nyrus dismisses the guards with a curt motion, then points to a chair. “Sit.”

I stiffen but comply, dropping into the seat with as much defiance as I can muster. He settles across from me, tapping manicured nails on the table’s edge.

“What do you want?” I snap, crossing my arms over my chest. “Xelith and I were?—”

“Whatever Prince Xelith promised you is irrelevant,” Nyrus interjects, voice dripping with arrogance. “The council demands direct answers. Have you provided him the locations of your rebel cells?”

My shoulders tense. “I’ve cooperated as much as needed. This intimidation act won’t earn you anything more.”

He scoffs. “Intimidation? My dear, I’m simply verifying you aren’t leading us on a fool’s chase. The farmland watchers insist the rebellion persists. If you truly wish to avoid a purge, you’ll share the hiding spots promptly.”

A sharp retort leaps to my tongue, but I bite it back.If I defy him, the council might move faster to slaughter them.Yet I can’t just hand over everything. My heart races.

Lord Nyrus leans forward, voice dropping in a conspiratorial hush. “I’ll be frank. Xelith’s coddling has raised eyebrows. People suspect… an inappropriate attachment. If I confirm you’re still dangerous, we have cause to override his authority.”

My fists clench beneath the table. “So that’s your angle.”

He smiles thinly. “Precisely. If you show me you’re no threat, perhaps I’ll speak in favor of leniency. But if you display even a hint of rebellious magic?—”

I stiffen. “Magic? Humans don’t?—”

A dark gleam lights his eyes. “Humans, no. But there are rumors. Let’s not feign ignorance.” He leans in, searching my face with predatory intensity. My pulse skitters.He’s fishing for confirmation.My chest tightens.

Faint footsteps echo outside, but no one appears. Anxiety knots in my stomach. Nyrus rises abruptly, coming around the table. I stand reflexively, stepping back until my spine nearly presses against the wall of shelves. He corners me, arms folded behind his back, eyes cold as a predator’s.

“Show me,” he says quietly.

I stare, heart hammering. “Show you what?”

“Whatever trick enthralls guards. The illusions rumored to swirl around you. Prove to me you’re dangerous, or I’ll assume it’s a lie.” There’s a perverse challenge in his voice, as though he’s certain I’m bluffing.

I flush with anger. “You want me to demonstrate something I don’t even understand? What if you’re disappointed?”

He snorts. “Then you’ll be carted off to a public square. The council will tear away Xelith’s pretense of control and do what should have been done from the start.”

Panic flares. If I try to conjure illusions, I might expose my powers fully. But refusing might condemn me as useless.Either way, they’ll use it against me.My breathing grows ragged.

“What’s the matter?” Nyrus hisses, stepping closer. “Cat got your tongue? Or is it fear?”

My fists tighten, nails digging into my palms. Adrenaline surges in my veins. The memory of that guard in the garden flickers through my mind—the moment I felt a swirl of heat and accidentally made him stumble. Something stirs in my chest, an intangible warmth coiling beneath my sternum.

Nyrus sneers. “Just as I thought. A pathetic sham. Xelith was a fool to?—”

“Enough,” I snap, voice trembling with suppressed fury.

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