Page 44 of Crimson Shadows
“So,” Corvus says as we settle in, “that was quite the adventure, wasn’t it?”
I nod, cutting into my steak. “It was intense. I’ve never experienced anything like that before.”
“You handled yourself well,” he says, and there’s a note of genuine admiration in his voice that makes me look up. “Most people would have crumbled facing their deepest fears like that.”
I shrug, trying to brush off the compliment. “I’m sure you’ve faced worse.”
Corvus is quiet for a moment, twirling his cup thoughtfully. “You’d be surprised,” he says finally. “We all have our demons, Adelaide. Even those of us who seem to have it all together.”
There’s a vulnerability in his voice that catches me off guard. For a moment, I see past the cocky exterior to the person underneath - someone who, like me, is trying to find their place in a world that doesn’t always make sense.
“Well, I’m glad we faced our demons together.”
Corvus looks at me, surprised. Then he smiles, a real, warm smile that transforms his face.
“Me too, Dollie,” he says softly. “Me too.”
20
ADELAIDE
Swingingby the library on my way back to my room, I search for Dark Fae books in the magick catalogue and find the section on the third floor. Taking the stairs quickly, I find the enormous area in the corner of the floor and start my search for Introduction to Dark Fae Magick. I want to know exactly what powers Zephyr has so I can arm myself next time. Checking out the heavy tome, I make my way downstairs and out into the growing night. For someone who is supposed to be keeping a night schedule, I’m out and about more during the day than ever before. Tomorrow, I plan to rectify this.
Before I can reach the door of the North Tower, I come up short as Zaiah appears in front of me, making me jump.
“Hey, babes,” he says. “Heard you won the Carthage Chalice.”
“News travels fast,” I murmur, staring into his white eyes. “And no, before you say anything else, I don’t wish for anything. I will never wish for anything. Okay?”
He chuckles and holds his hands up. “Okay, keep your pants on. I wasn’t going there. Aren’t you going to ask me if I won the Trojan Chalice?”
“Well, I wasn’t, but I guess you are dying for me to ask, so, Zaiah, did you win the Trojan Chalice?”
“Why, yes, I did. Thanks for asking, Adelaide!” He beams at me, and I giggle like an idiot. This is all so normal that I forget how dangerous genies can be—well, djinn, in his case. We all know that wishes aren’t as simple as that. There has to be balance.
“Well, congratulations,” I say, trying to step around him. “I really should get back to my room now.”
But Zaiah moves with me, blocking my path. His smile is still friendly, but the intensity in his gaze makes me uneasy.
“Everything okay, Adelaide?”
I clutch the book tighter to my chest, feeling my heart rate pick up. “I’m tired,” I lie. “It’s been a long day.”
Zaiah takes a step closer, and I instinctively back up, finding myself pressed against the tower wall. He doesn’t touch me, but he’s close enough that I can feel the waves of power from his body.
My breath catches in my throat as panic begins to set in. Right now, with Zaiah so close, it feels like my skin is crawling. But he hasn’t actually touched me, and a small part of my brain recognises that he’s being careful not to. That’s when I realise that my skin isn’t itching to be away from him, but rather the opposite.
Zaiah places his hands on the wall on either side of my head, boxing me in without making contact. His white eyes bore into mine, and suddenly, I feel that strange tugging in my soul again. It’s like an invisible thread is connecting us, pulling me towards him despite my fear.
“What are you doing to me?” I whisper, my voice shaky.
He tilts his head, a curious expression on his face. “Do you feel it?”
It’s terrifying and exhilarating, but I feel connected to Zaiah on a fundamental level, as if our souls are recognising each other. The rational part of my brain is screaming at me to run, to push him away, but another part - a part I didn’t even know existed - wants to lean in closer, even more so when I see he feels it, too. What does that mean?
My emotions are a whirlwind. Fear, curiosity, attraction, and something more profound, more primal, swirl together until I can’t tell where one ends, and another begins. The book in my hands feels like an anchor, the only thing keeping me grounded in reality.
Zaiah’s gaze softens, and he leans in slightly. “Adelaide,” he breathes, my name sounding like a caress on his lips.
