He stopped in front of an empty cell. “What, by Shadow’s fall? Zartic was supposed to keep her here until I arrived.” Sava’s eyes glowed with fury, but I had no patience left.
My elemental magic begged to be released. Using anger to strengthen my power, I slammed Sava against the nearest wall. “If you don’t produce Alandra le Aelle, right now, I’m going to kill you.” I felt too calm. “It’s not a threat but a promise.”
Sava glared. “She’s not here, Light Bringer. Zartic is working for another.” He closed his eyes and frowned. “You’ve got one of two choices. I feel a distinct disturbance in the council field and another to the south of the dungeon. Take your pick.”
I focused and felt a flutter of what I recognized as Alandra. “I’ll take the south.”
“I’ll take the field.” Sava cleared his throat and added icily, “As soon as you release me.”
I did so and left without apology, as worry overcame good sense. I didn’t bother to hide my presence from the inhabitants of Aelle either, too set on finding my affai. I had a tough time separating my magic from Aelle. Only my elemental nature remained free of the Shadow clinging to the rest of me.
Though I appreciated the boost in power, the confusion of feeling and power fluctuations would make using my Light Bringer magic dangerous.
I continued to travel along an isolated trail, conscious of the many eyes in the woods that followed me.
“Well, well, well.” A large male appeared in front of me, halting my progress. I could feel the energy ahead of me, bright with streaks of Shadow—Alandra’s marker.
“Not now,” I growled and forcibly thrust him from my path.
Unfortunately, the big guy had a lot of friends. They left the forest on silent feet, a formidable enemy should they prove antagonistic. The ice wraiths mingling with the Aellei warned me they likely weren’t friendly either.
“Don’t worry, Light Bringer.” One ice wraith cackled. “I know you’re in a hurry, so we won’t keep you long.”
A flash of blue fire struck me from behind, bringing me to my knees. Instinctive rage struck back, and lightning flew from my wound into my attacker, searing the wraith to a crisp.
Finally in a place to free my anger, I released a storm into Aelle that would not soon be forgotten.
Chapter 31
Alandra
I looked for Sava everywhere but to my dismay saw nothing but Shadren glaring at me. Growing back into my original size and losing the wings, I readied myself for anything and apologized.
“Sorry for intruding into your woods.” I stepped over a young Nocumat. “Have you seen Lord Sava?”
The creature grumbled a few unsavory remarks and trudged across the narrow trail. I ventured deeper into the woods, a feeling of doom growing. I finally stopped in a small, dark clearing, conscious of the surrounding silence.
“Sava?” Why I bothered calling for him, I didn’t know.
Zartic, and it had been Zartic, obviously hadn’t sent me to Sava. I took a few more steps forward and entered a round clearing encircled by trees.
I swallow around the lump in my throat.
Queen Lidra, in all her Dark glory, waited with a smile. She stood alone in this clearing. Splotchy black marks streaked her once pristine flesh. She looked withered, like a walking husk. Blood dripped from her fangs down her chin.
Sin Garu’s words came back to me. “Don’t believe me? Look at what’s left of Lidra.”
Well, shit.
“My little niece, come to her auntie at last.” Lidra smiled, her pointed teeth offensive in a face once so very opposed to Dark pleasures.
“I guess it’s pointless to expect you to renounce your throne.” I sighed, trying to appear cool while wishing to be anywhere else.
Lidra’s aura had no more Shadow, corrupted by tainted Dark and toxic energy. Blood drinkers were one step from pure evil. Sadly, my aunt seemed to share more in common with monsters than her own kind.
“You little slut.” Lidra’s eyes flashed, their blue color clouded with sickly yellow. “Our kingdom needs the magic Tanselm offers.”
“But Aelle —”
