“Something wrong?” The Witch King’s grating voice is like a nail digging deep into my back.
I turn to face him, and so does Azur. The long second of silence hanging between us is enough to tell me that my alleged ally isn’t about to utter any word.
“There’s something,” I say. “Blocking the tunnel.”
I’m not sure if that thing is really blocking it, but if Azur made me stop, it was for a reason, and I’m assuming it’s because those filaments have some magic preventing the Witch King from escaping.
The ancient fae is shrouded in darkness, and yet I can sense his eyes glaring at me. “Surely it’s nothing for the Tiurian heir.”
“Maybe.” I turn back and place my hand on those filaments. I can feel now that they form magical bars, except that I’m sure I could cross them more easily than stepping through thick foliage.
Shutting my eyes tight as if making an effort, I say, “Not a major hurdle, no. But it… burns.” I pull my hand and step back.“Repels me.” Even with my back to the Witch King, I can feel his displeasure, and decide I need to give him some hope. “But if my magic was stronger… Tomorrow I can try again. It feels…” I sigh. “If I had more magic, I think I could open this.”
I turn and face the Witch King.
“Tomorrow.” His laugh feels like insects crawling into my ear. “When the sun’s up, I suppose. How convenient.”
“We could wait until?—”
I was going to saynightfall, but he steps forward and raises a finger to my face.
“I’m done waiting. Done dealing with useless subjects. Done.”
My heart makes a racket in my chest. If he tries to kill or hurt me, will I be able to run? Fight him? How strong is his magic? What would Azur do?
I don’t know anything, and can’t even form a last-minute plan in my mind when I have no answers.
To my relief, the Witch King turns to Azur. “And you? Bound to help me, aren’t you? Can you open the passage?”
Even in the darkness, I can see that Azur’s face is placid and calm as he runs a finger through his long hair, then says, “There are better ways to travel than through doors.”
“Hmmm.” The Witch King sounds satisfied for once. “How quaint. A transcender. Is that what you are?”
“When my magic works, yes, I can transcend. No need to worry about a blocked tunnel.”
The Witch King’s chuckle is light and sounds almost relieved. “Indeed, no. I can feel it. How wonderful.” He places his hands on Azur’s cheeks. If he moves to kill him, I’ll have to act.
But my odious great-great-great-grandfather doesn’t attack Azur. Instead, he says, “A mighty gift you’re giving me. Mighty gift, young Sestin king.”
Azur bows. “I’m at Your Majesty’s service.”
The hair on the back of my neck stands on end. At his service. Shit.
While he could be playing along, he can’t lie.
I might be alone here after all.
MARLAK
I’m freezing from the inside out, outside in. Freezing or else I’ll burn everything in my path.
Astra’s gone. Gone. And she’s with Azur. Azur! I can’t imagine anyone worse, and the thought feels like ice in my blood.
“He won’t harm her,” someone says.
The voice is familiar, but it’s not making any sense.
“Marlak, I don’t think they’re in danger.”
