Kai’s eyes close, sleep pulling him back into its warm embrace.
I walk over to the dresser in the corner of the room, the slight creaking sound slicing through the quiet as I pull open the drawer that Kai has cleared for me. I swiftly slip my black sequined top over my head and toss it inside.
Grabbing a black crop top, I pull it on, followed by my favorite black vest, zipping it up with practiced ease. I swap out my gold cuffs for leather ones that cover my entire forearms, providing extra protection. I keep my black skinny jeans and boots on; I want to be comfortable and blend in seamlessly with the shadows.
With methodical and calculated movements, I change my outfit, every action as if it has been rehearsed a million times.
I slide my fingers through my hair and weave the strands into two plaits, then proceed to remove my earrings, knowing that wearing anything shiny will only attract unwanted attention.
Looking in the mirror, I take in my reflection. Hard, dark eyes stare back at me, and I can already feel myself falling into a detached state. It’s familiar, one that I have grown accustomed to, a self-imposed shield that protects me from the world’s chaos. In this state, my emotions are suppressed, vulnerability hidden beneath a stoic façade. It’s something I learned to do early on. I had to.
Growing up with the Kotov family was one trial after another. Life under their roof was anything but easy. Before the brothers overthrew their father, our lives were dominated by a regime of relentless lessons and brutal punishment. Each day was a struggle for survival, every moment a test of our resilience.
For me, those years were spent honing my magic, learning to embrace the darkness that simmered within. It wasn’t just about mastering spells or rituals; it was about becoming one with the magic that crept through my veins. Every lesson shaped me like a blade that cut away the weak parts, sharpening my skills until I was honed to a deadly edge.
“Come on, Ash. You can do it,” Penn says, his green eyes like shiny emeralds in the dark. His knuckles turn white as he grips the iron bars that hold me in the tiny cage.
The spaceis so tight there’s barely enough room for me to sit down. I blink at Penn, hugging my legs tightly against my chest. The rain is getting harder, pelting down around us, soaking both of us. With my hair plastered to my face, my small frame trembles, and my jaw clenches with the effort to hold back the tears. Even though the rain will hide any proof of them.
“What if I don’t come back? What if I shift and can’t shift back?” I croak.
The cold seeps through my clothes, chilling me to the bone.
“Then I will stay with you until you can. You won’t be alone, Ash,” Penn answers, his voice unwavering and serene, unusually calm for a ten-year-old.
Just like any other shifter, Penn will age normally until he reaches the age of twenty. However, after that milestone, his aging will slow down considerably, enabling him to extend his lifespan to several hundred years. I wonder if the same will apply to me.
“I’m scared.”
“Don’t be.”
I sit forward, letting go of my legs and gripping the bars, the metal warm considering the rain. “You won’t leave?”
Penn’s hands cover mine. “I promise.”
Argh, now isn’t the time to dwell on the past or let memories pull me into the abyss. This last mission demands my attention. Nero needs to be summoned, and there is no time for lingering in dark thoughts. I glance over at Kai’s sleeping form one last time.
With a heavy sigh, I square my shoulders and let myself fade into mist. I slip from the room, out the window, and disappear into the night.
Chapter twelve
Ashwiyaa
“You can only escape the laws of this world in lightning flashes.” -Simone Weil
My boots tread silently as I walk down the middle of the road. The sky above is heavy with the promise of rain. I can smell it lingering in the air. Tilting my head back, I let a small smile curve my lips. I love the rain—there’s something purifying about it. It always leaves me feeling fresh and renewed.
“Three . . . two . . . one,” I whisper.
Then I hear it, the first drop of rain as it hits the forest floor. The sound of leaves breaking its fall. It’s five miles out and will reach me in a matter of minutes.
I better call Nero before the rain ruinsmy chances.
Swiftly, I materialize my dagger, its cold metal appearing in my grasp. As I draw it across my palm, a crimson trail forms, accompanied by the soft murmur of an incantation escaping my lips.
Raising my hand in front of me, I squeeze my hand into a fist and let the blood fall to the ground. I close my eyes, feeling the weight of my magic soak into the earth around me.
The first drops of rain reach me, a gentle patter caressing my skin, landing softly on my cheeks like a delicate kiss from the sky. Each droplet is cool and refreshing, bringing with it a fleeting sense of calm. I tilt my head back, keeping my eyes shut as I let the rain wash over me, feeling its soothing touch spread across my face.
