I clench my jaw, and Thane tenses, his gaze hardening.
“Don’t worry,” Thane growls, quickly speaking before any of us can say something stupid. “We understand perfectly.”
Chapter Thirty-Five
~ Shade ~
Igain consciousness to the thunderous roar of a crowd. I’m sprawled out on sand that smells like ash, and as my head clears, I peer up at the massive amphitheater I’m in.Oh sweet baby book gods.Thousands of warriors applaud and stomp their boots as they watch from their stone seats, the stands arranged in tiered rings that reach high into the air. The amphitheater is a circular structure made of black stone that surrounds me on all sides, and high above, long black flags flap in the wind beneath a smattering of stars and dark clouds. Huge torches line the arena, the burning flames casting shadows that flicker high along the inner stone walls, looking like giant gargoyles who are guarding the sands, and I let out a trembling breath. It’s one thing to talk about having to compete in the games. It’s another thing entirely to actually be here.
What the hell did I do?I say to myself in a sing-song voice in my head, trying to stop the panic that’s clawing up my throat.Deep breaths, Shade. You’ve just entered deadly games whereeveryone will be trying to kill you. What could go wrong?A part of me feels like an idiot for telling Knox to create that pathway back to the ballroom, but what was I supposed to do? I mean, I guess my mates could have pretended I’d died and hidden me in the academy, but then where would that leave me? I need my immortality if I ever want to leave Shadowbone, otherwise I’ll be just as much of a prisoner as Elgen and Tarlaz.
At the thought of the ancient shadows, my breathing calms a little. My shadow friends are hoping I’ll somehow win this thing. Or become the champion, or whatever. That I’llfreethem. And while that outcome seems unlikely, okayreallyunlikely, the least I can do is try. Besides, I couldn’t let Kenzie face this without me.
I think of my other friend, Jensen, then, and worry winds through me.Where is he?I tell myself that maybe it’s a good thing he’s not here. That he’s the lucky one, but deep down, I know that’s not true. He’d been searching for the missing students, and now he’s missing as well. I try not to let my mind run wild and come up with the worst-case scenarios of what might have happened him.After the games, Shade. You’ll find him after the games. I’m sure he’s relaxing somewhere in the academy.I should have asked Elgen and Tarlaz to see if they could find him, just in case he’s lost in the building somewhere, but logically, I know Jensen would be able to form a shadow pathway to a common area if he needs. That is, if he hasn’t been captured, somehow. I blow out a shaky breath. In any case, it’s too late now.
“Are you all right, mate?”Thane’s demanding question whispers into my ears, and I finally let myself peer at the stone ceremonial box to my right. It’s richly decorated with climbing roses winding around four stone pillars, and silky black material draped along the back wall. Queen Krosia looks regal as she sits atop her throne, surrounded by the originals, but there’sonly four distinct shadow warriors I’m looking at. Thane, Raith, Galen, and Knox, sit to one side a little behind the queen, and they all look entirely pissed off.
“Just peachy,”I lie, still on the verge of a full-blown panic attack.
“No matter what the queen throws at you tonight, remember your training,”Galen says.“You’re stronger than you know, treasure.”
“You’ve got this, sunshine,”Raith adds, but he can’t disguise the uncertainty in his voice.
They’re all being encouraging, but they’re not sure if I’m going to make it through this. Knox doesn’t say anything, but he’s staring at me just as intensely as when we were in the forest, and it makes my skin heat.
“Shade!” Kenzie’s voice fills my ears, and I’m distracted as my friend helps me to my feet. “Thank goodness you’re still alive.”
“You too,” I say, brushing away the sand caking the side of my face. My throat is so dry it’s hard to swallow, and I end up coughing instead.
“Well, I guess the games have started,” Kenzie says, looking around the amphitheater with dread and resignation.
“Looks like it,” I add grimly. “On the bright side, at least we’re together.”
She gives me a small smile, and then using her magic, she transforms her outfit until she’s wearing fighting leathers with multiple weapons strapped to her belt.
I do the same, though my outfit doesn’t end up exactly how I intend. My magic has come a long way since I arrived at Shadowbone, but for some reason, creating outfits is still a challenge.
Black leather hugs tight to my thighs, molding to the curves of my ass, and up top all I have is thick patches of black feathersthat stretch across my breasts. On the bright side, the weapons belt around my hips seems sturdy, and the sword and daggers sheathed at my belt seem to have formed correctly.
“Soo…any chance we might survive this?” Kenzie says, already sounding a little defeated.
I nudge her and give her a broad smile, pretending to be brave. “Sure we can, girl. How hard can it be?”
She smiles weakly, and we turn our attention to the hundreds of students around us. They’re all lifting from the sand and preparing themselves just as we did.
We’re situated in the middle of a huge arena. Close to the stone walls lining the sands, and separated at even intervals, are three large, dense patches of vegetation. They look like huge oases, but it’s as if they’ve been taken from different parts of the world.
The patch of greenery straight ahead of me contains a group of tall, straight trees that reach almost as high as the first row of seating in the stands. The branches are covered in crawling vines, and a bed of ferns and large leafy vegetation is spread along the forest floor between the trees. It’s like there’s a jungle right here in the arena.
Then there’s a group of vegetation that reminds me of the forest in the shadow realm, where we collected the nemins. I study the ghostly pine trees and tall grasses, unable to see if anything lurks in the darkness of the forest.Let me guess, there’s something terrifying in there.I shiver, unable to shake the feeling that something is watching me.
The third patch of vegetation looks like it’s from a tropical island. Giant coconut trees are grouped together and circle a large span of water. I stare longingly at the lake, and as I’m reminded of my parched throat, I start coughing again.Crap, did I inhale sand when I was out?I conjure up a glass of water, which helps to ease the burn, but I still can’t help fantasizingabout swimming in the lake. I’m busy thinking about how nice if would feel to have the cool liquid sliding against my skin, when a large bubble pops on the surface of the lake. A moment later, a huge spined fin breaks the surface as a large mass swims by just under the water. I yelp in surprise, before internally chastising myself, becauseof coursethere’s going to be a lake monster.It’s official. I’m going to die.
“Please tell me you weren’t considering going near that lake,”Galen says with dry amusement in his voice.
“What? It’s not like you guys told me you’d captured water monsters for the games,”I say in my defense.
“Yes well, things have changed. Apparently, the queen has had others collecting specimens for her as well. You’ll have to keep your eyes open,”Galen replies.
