Page 120 of Tower of Tempest
“We have to run,” I said. “I have enough magic left to create a diversion, and then we’ll make a break for it.”
The rain had stopped, the ground under our feet marshy, our boots sinking into it. The forest provided a break from the wind, but even so, it was impossibly cold with my clothes soaked through, hair dripping wet.
Gran resisted, staying seated. “No,” she said simply.
“Gran,” I started, but she held up a hand.
“As long as I’m alive, you will be in danger simply for being associated with me.”
Despite everything that had happened between us, despite all her secrets and lies and the horrible things she’d done, I couldn’t accept that answer.
A shadow lunged for Gran, and Loch jumped in front of her, slashing his sword through it. He hunched over with the effort, gasping for air.
Gran snapped her fingers. “Focus, girl.”
Loch, barely able to stand, slashed at the shadows that surged forward.
“The shadow king will take you because he thinks you can help him get me back. He’ll stop searching for you if I’m gone, and you’ll be safe. This is what I should’ve done from the beginning.” Gran winced as she gripped her shadow, peeling it from the ground. She screamed as she ripped it away from herself, the sound like a piece of parchment being torn in half.
I stumbled back, horror filling me. I still had so many questions, still had so much to say. I hadn’t even asked her how she managed to escape from Spirit Shadow, but there was no time left.
“You can’t do this,” I said, heart wrenching.
A stone mask slipped over her face. “I can and I will.”
Loch continued to swing his sword at the swarm of shadows, his movements becoming choppier, clumsier. He stumbled but managed to right himself. Gran gripped her fist tight, her shadow beginning to unravel like a thread being pulled loose from a rug. She fell to her knees, entire body shaking. The shadow continued to unravel, her fist squeezed tight, features pinched in concentration.
“What are you doing?” I yelled, reaching for her.
“Snuffing . . . out . . . my shadow.”
Loch dropped his sword and stumbled to my side, grasping my arm. His normally golden skin was so pale, his eyes tired and bereft of their normal brightness.
Fear washed over Gran’s brown eyes as the shadows reached for her, her own shadow almost completely gone now. I scrambled to her as she fell to her back. The shadows hovered over her as if they sensed she was almost gone, would be of no use to their master now.
My tears fell fast and hard. I gathered her in my arms, her shadow almost completely faded, only the shoulders up remaining. She stared at me with glassy eyes.
“Sing for me, girl, hm? A nice song.”
Just like I always did when she was sick or not feeling well. I wanted to tell her no, that this wasn’t the end, but there was no point denying it now, and I could give her this one last comfort. Do this one last thing for her. I nodded, and my voice trembled as I started to sing.
“Hush, my dear
Let the fear
Fade and ebb away
Sweet little dear
Know that I’m here
Night and day”
Tears gathered at the corners of her eyes, her fist unfurling slightly, her shadow now with only the top of its head remaining.
“I love you, girl. Remember that... lightning never strikes in the same place twice.”
I couldn’t even parse out what that meant as her eyes closed, and then she was gone.
