Trik squeezed his eyes shut as another shard of memory jabbed behind them—him standing at the edge of a vortex of light and shadow, the elders chanting the Seal, magic ripping through his body.
“I remember ...”He swallowed hard.“I remember screaming.”
Myrin’s jaw tightened.“You bore the brunt of the Seal.It was your magic, light and dark both, that closed it.And I believe it was then that some of those shadows were attached to you.”
Trik opened his eyes slowly, his heart pounding harder with each word.He didn’t acknowledge that last statement.Not yet.“We sealed it so no one could access the Chamber again and release the shadow elves.”
“Yes,” Myrin said grimly.“But closing the shadow elves inside didn’t kill them.They slept, causing the power of the Chamber to sleep.And now?—”
“It’s waking.”Trik finished, voice raw.
A pain flared through his chest so sharp he stumbled.He gripped the table with both hands, cursing under his breath.
Myrin’s head snapped toward him.“The bond.”
Trik tried to speak, but his breath was gone.The ache burst outward, agony sweeping from his sternum to his spine, down his ribs, into his very blood.The mate-bond’s pain.Cassie.
She wasn’t far, but she was hurting.She was furious.And she was shutting him out.
Trik gasped, choking on air that wasn’t enough.“She’s tightened down the bond.”
“Because you slammed a door in her face,” Myrin said sharply.“Trik, you must go to her.Now.”
“I can’t.”Trik forced the words out between clenched teeth.“If the Book sensed her, if the shadow magic inside it is connected to the Chamber, if it touches her—” His voice broke.
“She is everything,” he whispered.“I will not risk her.”It was like those words had become a mantra to him.
Myrin stepped closer, eyes glowing with old power.“Listen to me.Chosen do not survive separation.Not if you two continue like this.You know what extended distance does.”
Trik did.He felt it now, every heartbeat burning, every breath scraping.The ache was only the beginning.
“She needs you,” Myrin said.“And you need her, Trik.You always have.”
Trik squeezed his eyes shut again, sweat beading at his temples.He felt Cassie’s pain like knives beneath his ribs.Felt her walking away.Felt her fury rise in a storm strong enough to bring down the walls of this very castle.
“Go to her.”
“I can’t,” Trik whispered again.“Not until I understand what the Book wants.Not until I know she won’t be—” He couldn’t finish the sentence.
Myrin exhaled slowly, as if exhausted by him.“You are making the same mistake so many males make.The darkness in you is not what will destroy her, Triktapic.The distance will.”
Trik’s hands trembled on the table.The Book’s pages pulsed again, hard enough that the air rippled.
Myrin’s expression darkened.“The Chamber of Dark and Light is calling to you.”
Trik’s breath locked.
“And Cassie heard its name,” Myrin added.“Do not think she didn’t.You may have shoved her out, but she was listening.”
Trik swore violently under his breath, guilt twisting like a blade.
Myrin’s voice softened.“If she goes seeking answers on her own ...the Chamber will sense her.And that, Trik ...that would be dangerous for you both.”
“She wouldn’t do that,” Trik said, not sure if he was trying to convince himself or the elder of it.“Cassie knows I’m just trying to protect her.She's many things, but foolish isn’t one of them.”
“And I’m sure you’ve never heard the saying ‘we are all fools in love.’”
Trik wanted to hiss at his long-time friend, “Are you seriously getting philosophical on me?”
