It was fighting itself.
The shadow slammed into the frost, cracking the ground. Hands, no, shapes, clawed at its own outline as though trying to hold something in.
The lanterns blew out one by one.
Penelope pulled Mingxi toward the door, keeping him upright with more strength than she expected. They were two steps from the threshold when the entity’s voice ripped through the garden again.
“I will see you soon.” The words came out as a roar layered over a snarl, layered over something else struggling to surface.
Then the shadow imploded inward, as if yanked violently out of the garden by an unseen force. Silence snapped into place. Snow drifted down. The lantern glass tinkled at their feet.
Penelope tightened her grip on Mingxi’s arm.
He swayed once, blood dripping at a steady line from beneath his coat.
“Lady Penelope—” he rasped.
“Save it,” she said, slipping under his arm to support his weight. “We’re getting you inside.”
They moved quickly, not fleeing, not panicked, but retreating with purpose and the knowledge they had seconds, not minutes, before the Council descended on the disturbance.
Behind them, the Winter Garden remained empty except for a faint crack in the ice where something had fought to be free.
Chapter 29
They crossed the threshold into the dim corridor beyond the Winter Garden. Mingxi leaned heavily on her, his blood left a dripping trail along the marble.
Penelope tightened her grip around his waist, breath steady, steps precise. Her pulse hammered despite her outward calm, her stomach churning desperately.
The corridor filled with the thud of boots, three Guardians sweeping around the corner, weapons half drawn.
“Lady Penelope!”
“Councilor Shen!!”
“The wards spiked. What happened?”
Penelope didn’t slow. “No questions,” she said sharply.
The Guardians froze mid-stride.
Her voice wasn’t loud, just absolute. She adjusted Mingxi’s arm over her shoulders. His breath came shallow, tight with pain.
“He needs medical attention,” one Guardian began.
“No,” Penelope cut in. “Not here. Not in the Hall. Not with healers.” Her gaze flicked to the shattered lantern-glass stuck to Mingxi’s sleeve. “He was hit by shadow magic. I won’t risk interference.”
The Guardians exchanged uneasy glances.
“Lady—”
“Safe house,” she said, pitch low, decisive. “The nearest one. Now!”
“But—”
She turned her head and leveled a look at the closest Guardian.
He went silent instantly.
