Page 110 of Crown of Ashes and Desire

"She commands shadows," I said, watching him carefully. "Not just any shadow manipulation—precise control that resonates with mine. Like calling to like."

Sarp shrugged, though the gesture seemed forced. "She has light, so anything is possible at that age. Maybe Nadine had a tryst with some shadow realm traveler years ago. You know how popular your warriors are with the ladies in border towns."

The suggestion was presented casually, but something in his tone rang false. "Shadow magic isn't randomly inherited," I pressed. "It follows bloodlines. Specific bloodlines tied to the shadow lords."

"Maybe Nadine has better taste than we thought," Sarp suggested with a smirk. "Could have been any shadow lordpassing through. They're not exactly celibate, your noble brethren."

I leaned forward, closing the distance between us. "But there's more. Two days ago in the forest, when danger threatened, Kiraz's shadows didn't just appear—they reached for mine. Recognized mine." I lowered my voice. "Tell me what you know, Sarp. Now."

"Some kids are just gifted," Sarp replied, a little too quickly. "Look, why the sudden interest in the child's parentage? We should be focusing on recovering your strength, on finding a way back to the shadow realm before your father grows even more suspicious."

His deflection only heightened my curiosity. "You're hiding something."

"And you're being paranoid," he countered, meeting my gaze steadily. "Not everything is a conspiracy, Hakan. Sometimes a child is just a child with an unusual gift."

I recognized his evasion for what it was. We'd fought side by side too long for me not to know when Sarp was concealing truth. But before I could corner him further, the door opened.

Nadine entered, carrying fresh bandages, her expression cooling when she saw me.

"I need to change Sarp's dressings," she said, her tone making it clear she wanted me gone.

"Actually, Nadine, I need some air," Sarp said, swinging his legs over the side of the bed and wincing as he did so. "Been cooped up too long."

Nadine frowned. "You shouldn't be moving yet?—"

"Fresh air speeds healing," Sarp insisted, already limping toward the door. "Won't be long."

Before Nadine could object further, he had slipped out, leaving me alone with her.

I stepped back but didn't leave. "Perhaps you can satisfy my curiosity first," I said, watching her carefully. "About Kiraz."

Her hands stilled momentarily before resuming their task of arranging supplies. "What about her?"

"Her shadows," I said bluntly. "They respond to mine. As if they know me."

Nadine's face revealed nothing, but the slight tightening of her grip on the bandages told its own story. "Kiraz has many gifts."

"Including shadow magic that typically only passes through shadow lord bloodlines," I observed, my patience wearing thin. "I'm curious about her father."

"I don't see how that's relevant to you," she replied with forced calm.

I moved closer, the shadows in the room darkening with my approach. A vial on the shelf trembled as my power brushed against it. "Whose blood runs in her veins, Nadine? Which shadow lord sired her?"

"Kiraz's parentage is her own business," Nadine said, her voice hardening. "And mine."

"Of course," I agreed with mock politeness. "Though I can't help but wonder which shadow lord might have passed through this area around five years ago. Her magic feels…familiar somehow."

Nadine's eyes flashed, genuine anger replacing her careful neutrality. "Kiraz is my family. That's all you need to know."

The vehemence of her response was telling. There was something here—some secret she was protecting fiercely.

"I meant no offense," I said, raising my hands in a placating gesture that was at odds with my growing suspicion. "The child is gifted. I merely thought her father might appreciate knowing of her progress."

"Her father is not in the picture," Nadine replied, her tone cold. "By his own decision."

An interesting choice of words. Not that the father was unknown or had died, but that he had chosen absence. A shadow lord who had abandoned his responsibilities? Or something more complicated?

"That's unfortunate," I said. "Shadow magic requires proper guidance to develop safely."

---