Page 51 of Moon Raven Rising
“I need your trust right now,” I whisper, cupping his face in my hands. He reaches between us, his grip on my wrists firm, and pulls them to the center of his chest, covering my hands with his.
“You have it. Always.” He leans in, pressing his forehead to mine. “It doesn’t make it any less difficult to walk away right now.”
“I know.” Closing my eyes, I take a deep breath, filling my senses with his scent, letting it replace the lingering foul, dark magic they tried to corrupt me with.
“Is everyone else safe?” I ask, and worry drops his brows.
“I came here with the others, but I felt what you were going through. I had to get to you. We were separated.” Dax says as he frowns.
“Ambriel?”
“She is with Trent. Alaric, Kait, and Cano were together outside too. But Trent and Ambriel came with me. Maki and the regime are nearby. Ambriel was supposed to be communicating with all of us. I’m worried because I have not heard anything.” He confesses; the squeeze of his hands over mine tells me just how much his worry is getting to him.
“I’ve learned a few things about my magic since being here. I think I can communicate with Ambriel at least. I will try to get her a message. Dax—you have to go. Go back to Maki and wait. I don’t want to sacrifice any of the people of Aldramani. Sorenwould start a war if he knew what we were planning. Just be ready.” I say quickly as I hear footsteps approaching.
“My lady?” The guard’s voice echoes through the narrow hall as he steps back in calling to me. My head snaps in his direction, and I immediately feel cold without Dax’s touch. He stepped back and faded into the shadows just in time for the guard not to see him.
“Sorry, I am not as quick as you.” I say, hoping that my attempt to sound coy was believable. I step in close, and he stumbles back, sure not to come too close to the darkness that still cloaks me.
“The apologies are mine; I didn’t realize that I had lost you.” He shakes his head. “Not a very good guard, I suppose. I didn’t think this would be what my life would have come to.” His words bring me to pause.
“What’s your name?” I ask as we both come into the hallway leading to my room’s door. He looks around, nervous energy emanating from him. Swallowing, he shakes his head.
“Doesn’t matter,” he grunts. We stop as we reach the door, and he opens it, but I stand there waiting. “I shouldn’t have said anything. My fate is set.”
“Something tells me that your fate is greater than you believe.” I’m not sure why I feel so strongly about encouraging him to lose the dejected energy that surrounds him, but I do. Placing my hand on his arm, I look into his wide green eyes. He reminds me of my brother. Wren used to get so wrapped up in his own head it was hard for him to let go.
“Use the negative energy that has come into your life. Let it burn in your gut and fuel the fire in your soul. It’s the dark that shies away from the light.” The words come easily, and even though I don’t know his story, I know that he resonates with them. He swallows hard, nodding.
“Thank you, Moon Raven.” He bows. The gesture bringing a warmth to me.
“Will you help me?” I ask, and he shifts on his feet, looking around before answering.
“What do you need?”
“Prince Osiris. Tell him, it’s time.”
Taking the path that Osiris has taught me, I make my way to the far entrance of the garden without running into any problems. Once outside the walls, I’m met with the chilled winter air as soft flurries begin to float down. The decision to leave couldn’t have come at a better time. At least this way I won’t have to worry about covering my tracks in the snow.
Each step I take, the more the weight on my chest begins to lift. I will soon be with everyone I love, and we will be on our way to making things right with Aldramani. Knowing that Dax is alive and well—not under the control of Soren—makes this decision that much easier.
I didn’t waste time changing or packing anything. There is nothing here I wish to take with me into my new life. Heaving myself up, I begin to climb the stone wall that separates me from the forest beyond. I can’t get anywhere near the gates, but I haveto get through this wall to meet Bracarva. Anywhere else she would be seen.
“And just where do you think you are off to?” A man’s voice interrupts my silent escape, and I freeze in my tracks. Slowly, I spin to meet the dead eyes of one of the many guards who have treated me poorly at Soren’s command. This one, though, is more cruel than most.
“I thought I might go for a walk…” I respond with more sarcasm than I would normally allow since being held prisoner here. The surprise is evident by the way his brows jump up his forehead, but his lip curls, as do his fists.
“I don’t think taking a walk and scaling a wall is quite the same thing, do you? What was it?Little bird?”His smile is vile, as he says the nickname Soren called me. Something about his voice is familiar… “You know little birds like you shouldn’t be out in the dark like this… you never know what’s lurking in the shadows…”
“You got me there…” I mumble as I check my surroundings. He’s alone, which is also odd. “But what areyoudoing outside of the wall all by yourself?”
“Well, now…you.” He moves fast, reaching out with his right arm, aiming for my neck, but I’m quicker. My left arm snaps between us, shadows so thick they create an impenetrable wall between us in an instant. I hear him curse from the darkness, and I ease the magic back a little so I can see him. His eyes are wide as he searches the black cloud that surrounds him.
“What the fuck is this?” The guard demands. I step close, still concealed by the deep shadow magic, and push him at his chest. “Get back!” He screams like a coward, and I can’t help but laugh.
“What’s the matter? Are you afraid of what lurks in the shadows?” I say then step closer but just out of reach, and I whisper, “Are you afraid of the dark?” His arms flail as he tries to hit out at me, but I jump back before he makes his mark.Laughing again, I use the shadow magic to lasso around his neck and body, then pull him to move closer to me.
In my other hand, I let my moon magic build into a glowing orb, a miniature version of the moon. His eyes widen impossibly as he watches the orb shift in my hand, taking the shape of a moonlit dagger. I keep my eyes trained on the forming weapon, and when it is fully settled in my palm, my eyes flick up to meet his.
