There’s silence for a moment, and Raith’s top lip curls. Knox says nothing, but I know better than to think he’s not affected. We all knew Shade had to be powerful. It’s the only way Lady Fate would have matched her with us. But until tonight, we hadn’t seen much of her power.
“There’s more,” Galen says. “I have a theory about Shade’s past.”
My frown doesn’t shift.
Galen forges on. “What if when the queen placed the curse on us and it killed our old mate, it also affected Shade?”
“We’ve discussed that before,” I growl. “It still wouldn’t explain why Shade had the form of a crow.” It’s something I’ve turned over in my head countless times.
“True, but if we take out the crow part, it still stands,” Galen drawls. “And I’m wondering if the more we’re with her, the effects of the curse are slowly wearing off.”
Raith tilts his head. “You mean, you think havin’ sex with her will help her get her powers and her memories back?”
Galen shrugs. “Like I said, it’s a theory, but I must admit that when I made love to our mate my power felt…stronger. Hers did, too.”
“This is a no-win situation,” I point out. “If she doesn’t get control of her powers, she’s likely to die in the games, but if she does, she may grow too powerful and draw attention.”
Galen drums his fingers on the armrest of the couch. “Well, I don’t see the perfect solution here, but I do know, Shade has to survive. And if it means risking her becoming too powerful, then so be it.”
I rub my jaw. “If we can get her to show her true power soon, we may be able to teach her how to mask it. Just enough to avoid too much of the queen’s attention.”
“Well, I’m on board with doin’ all I can to help with that,” Raith laughs, looking like he’d be more than happy to wake our mate right now and get to work.
Galen stretches out his fingers in front of him, and he studies his hands as shadows weave between each of his fingers like snakes.
I sigh, releasing some of the tension that has pulled through my shoulders. Then, hating myself for being the one to have to say this next part, I turn to Knox. “If Shade was affected by the queen’s curse, it would mean the queen’s magic touched her at the same time that it killed our other mate.”
Knox’s eyes darken. “So what are you saying?”
“I’m wondering if it’s more plausible that Shade is that same mate,” I point out, knowing I’m about to start an argument. “It’s too coincidental. And the fact that she has no memories, would explain why she doesn’t recognize you or Raith.”
My words wound him, and I hate the way Knox’s expression closes off to me. “I know what I felt,” he snarls. “Our mate died. As much as you want to believe that the human in the next room can happily fix everything from the past, she can’t. And sooner or later you’re all going to have to wake up and realize it. Whether the queen takes her or a student kills her during the games, this won’t last.”
I decide not to argue with him. I trust Knox with my life. Even if I still wonder if he’s wrong.
“Fuck that,” Raith rumbles, and ignoring his brother he claps his hands together. “Soooo, when’s it my turn to give Shade her next power boost?”
Chapter Thirteen
~ Knox ~
It’s not her.I repeat the words in my head, but as I watch Thane, Galen, and Raith disappear into Galen’s room, joining the little human who has turned our lives upside down, I can’t help but wonder about what Thane has just said. Is it possible? I’ll admit it does seem far-fetched that Lady Fate would have selected us another mate at the same moment that our other mate was murdered. I shake my head, trying to banish the tangled web of thoughts. I can’t let myself hope. Not now. Not after all I’ve been through. Not after all I’ve putherthrough. But still, a trickle of curiosity tugs at my mind, threatening to make me unravel. Pouring myself a drink, I sink into an armchair as my mind careens back into the past.
Years earlier…
I walk through the gray landscape of my dream, toward the ocean and the rushing waves that crash onto the beach. White foam coats the sand before disappearing, the water draining before another wave rushes at me.
“Knew I’d find ya here,” Raith says with a lazy grin as he appears beside me.
My lips twitch. I don’t bother pointing out the obvious. That I’m the one who opened a path for him, so that he may find me if he wishes. The ability to walk through dreams has become one of my strongest powers after gaining immortality, but my brother has other powerful gifts. Either way, I’m glad he chose tonight to visit. I could use the company.
“Why the long face?” Raith prods, folding his arms across his chest. “I could feel your dark mood through our connection. It’s damn depressin’.”
I stare out at the ocean, at the point where the water is simply swallowed by darkness. There’s no sunlight here in my dreams. No life. Only darkness, emptiness, and cracked memories.
“We keep losing students,” I mutter.
“Oh, this is because Yahnee didn’t make it to graduation, isn’t it? I get that he was promisin’, but losin’ students isn’t new for us at Shadowbone. Not everyone can hack it.”
