Page 19 of Circle of Shadows
Sora climbed onto the wire, choosing to run it like a tightrope. She put one foot in front of the other, again and again, methodically making her way across.
Almost there. Almost there.
Across and over the log wall.
Before the line ended, Sora dropped fifteen feet to the ground. She took one more look at the camp behind them, the bonfire lighting up the night as though the hells hadopened a rift from the canyon floor.
“We definitely have something to report to the Council now,” Sora said, trying to make a joke because she couldn’t fully process what they’d just seen.
But what she did know was that if Prince Gin was back, things were about to change for Kichona, in a really bad way.
Chapter Eight
Sora and Daemon raced back to the Citadel as fast as their horses could gallop. When they arrived three days later, they immediately ran toward Warrior Meeting Hall.
Sora heaved open the heavy black doors and burst into a dark corridor.
Broomstick, Fairy’s gemina, rounded the corner from the direction of the Council Room, where he helped with administrative tasks.
“Thank the gods you’re back,” he said. “Fairy and I were worried about you.”
Sora looked at him quizzically. “You already know what happened?”
Broomstick stared at her for a second, as if she were dense. “Um, yes... everyone knows about the attack on Isle of the Moon.”
Daemon gaped. “What? The Council was attacked?”
“Yes, although by whom orwhat, we don’t know,” Broomstick said. Then he paused. “Wait a minute. I thoughtyou said you knew what happened.”
“Not that part,” Sora said, “but we saw something else, and I have a suspicion it’s related. Tell us about Isle of the Moon.”
Broomstick filled them in on the strange typhoon attack. He didn’t know much—the Council was keeping information close to their chests while they tried to understand what they were up against—but being part of the Society’s administrative office staff, he’d gleaned enough to know this was formidable magic the Society would be up against.
“Stars,” Daemon cursed, as he leaned against the corridor wall for support. “I’ve never heard anything like it. Magic to control something outside of our own bodies?”
“We’ve seen magic like this, remember?” Sora said. “The fire at Takish Gorge.” She turned to Broomstick. “We saw Prince Gin. He’s back.”
Broomstick blinked at her. “What?”
A door opened and closed in the distance. A few moments later, Glass Lady turned in to the hallway. She walked quickly past the apprentices without even nodding to acknowledge them.
“Wait, Commander,” Sora said.
Glass Lady stopped and peered over her shoulder at her. “What is it?”
Sora’s insides nearly froze just from the commander’s stare. But she managed to speak. “Wolf and I have returned from our mission, and we saw something we think you’ll want to hear about—”
“I have much bigger things to worry about right now than Level Twelve missions,” Glass Lady said. “Submit the report in writing.” She began to walk away again.
“With all due respect, Commander, you’ll want to listen to this.” Daemon grabbed Glass Lady’s arm to stop her.
Sora and Broomstick both gasped.
Glass Lady stiffened. She turned and glared at where Daemon’s hand touched her. She let out a slow, chilly exhale. “You are not disrespecting a warrior—a councilmember—like I think you’re doing, are you?”
Daemon dropped his grip instantly. “N-no, Your Honor. I’m sorry. It’s just... please. We only need a few minutes of your time.”
“Oneminute,” Glass Lady said, crossing her arms.
