Page 104 of Forged By Heart and Claws
I fought to open my eyes and reach out to Vad. I needed to feel him and know he was with me, but the weight of the energy blazing through me crushed me down.
Heat pooled at the base of my spine and erupted as if my spine had ripped in two. My back muscles stretched, and flames engulfed me. Something was wrong. Maybe I had to take Vad’s place in death, which I was perfectly fine with as long as he got to live.
Another wolf howl pierced my mind like a storm surge. Not distant this time. Not muted. My wolf’s presence slammed into me full force, so familiar and yet different. She whimpered like she’d missed me as much as I’d missed her.
The pain finally receded, but the fire didn’t leave me. It entwined deep inside me, threading through my veins like it belonged there, and it curled over me without moving and without hurting me. Silver streaks shimmered within the gold light still beaming around me, dancing over my skin. My fingertips tingled, and my ears were still ringing, but I could breathe again.
Metal clanged like chains falling free.
You’ve always been beautiful, but you’re even more beautiful with wings.Vad’s voice seeped into my consciousness, and the bond surged between us, making me feel whole once more.
But then one of the words he said repeated in my head.
Wings.
What was he talking about? I blinked and tried to look over my shoulder, but my vision swam with red, gold, and silver light.The buzzing in my ears dulled to a hum as my wolf settled within me, curling into place like she’d never left, her presence warm and steady.
A hand pressed against a strange part of me that I’d never felt before, and I jolted. Shock rippled through me as I moved unfamiliar muscles in my back. The red and gold fire drew away from my face.
And there was Vad.
He towered over me, shirtless, unchained, completely healed. His silver-gray eyes shimmered with something deeper than magic.
Taking my hand, he helped me to my feet. “How can you keep getting more and more perfect?”
At the sound of his voice, my heart cracked open.
“The same way you do,” I whispered, the bond between us thrumming so intensely I could hardly stand.
“Guys,” Ember said from behind Vad. “I’m thrilled to see you both doing well, but we’re in the middle of a battle. Good news, our magic is back. Bad news, so is everyone else’s."
Maniacal laughter came from outside the silver barrier from both Colm and Calla Lily. I'd recognize those horrible voices anywhere.
I watched as the two of them spread their wings and flew about the wolves. Colm’s smoky gray leather wings had shades of red, blue, and green. But what really stood out was Calla Lily’s. Her former pink leather wings were now dull pink, brick red, pale blue, and garbage green.
Colm removed two of the dark orbs from his jacket. “I brought your family’s soulshard orbs with me to bash your skull in after ripping the dagger from your chest. But I only need one for that.” Light reflected off his silver claw tips as he tossed one to Calla Lily. “In case you need to strengthen your powers again, my love.”
Hot and cold spiraled within our link from both our rage and fear. The merlinite orb was given to him by Vad in exchange for my freedom. He must have located the other one while he’d taken over the palace.
What all can they do?I asked, though fearing the answer.
Given what he’s doing with magic and how their wings are now different, nothing good. This is likely some abomination that comes from siphoning off the essence and magic of other people combined with his constant push to advance his skills,Vad replied with his shadows whirling around him.
“We’ve got to help them.” Ember snatched her sword.
My attention snapped to the chaos beyond our protective shield. Shadow wolves were tearing into guards, snarling and snapping. Fireballs streaked across the hall as magic returned like a tidal wave. A noblewoman levitated a guard into the air and slammed him into a column. Two others conjured lightning. It was a battlefield of color and blood.
Ember charged forward, and Vad and I started to follow, but the silver barrier flashed up. We were trapped.
Vad put his arms around me, scowling. “What in the scaffing void?”
I put my hand out. “We have to get out there!” My wolf howled in response. Not in fear, but in warning.
Ember sprinted back toward us, her expression tight with urgency. “Briar! Vad!” She slammed a fist against the barrier. The shield flared and hurled her backward in a blast wave. She collided with a wooden display shelf, sending severed heads to the ground with dull thuds. “It won’t let me back in!”
The earth groaned.
Cracks split the marble floor in jagged lines, spiderwebbing outward from the altar. The wolves stopped attacking, ears flat, eyes wary. One by one, they backed away from the dais, tails low.
