Violent Shadow
LIAM
Seven Years Ago
There is something different about Shadow tonight. He usually carries himself in a flat, stiff manner. Even when he speaks, his tone is always indifferent, expressionless.
Tonight, though, he exudes a different kind of energy—menacing, sinister, dangerous. His hands tremble briefly at his sides before he balls them into fists. He pins Sodie with a deathly glare, and I know he’s already decided that Sodie is guilty.
But he’s wrong. It took longer than I intended, but Sodie wouldn’t confide in me without trust—something that came slowly, despite the friendship that formed as we watched over Jessica. Even now, Sodie keeps his secrets close. The only thing left to do was admit that I overheard his phone call—and that, from the outside, it made him sound like traitor. He swore he wasn’t betraying anyone, only protecting Jessica.
Even though I don’t know the entire story, my intuition believes him. I survived nineteen years of my life, trusting myown instincts. I would never trust anyone so blindly, especially if that meant putting Jessica’s life at risk. But I observed Sodie’s interactions with Jessica. I was there when he saved her from dying in my arms. I don’t believe for a moment that he would do anything to harm her.
But that leaves the lingering questions that have been haunting me for the better part of six months. What happened to her when she went missing for five days? Who was he talking to on the phone the night of the guard ball?
I study Shadow. His jaw is clenched, nostrils flared, his body stiff, ready to attack at any moment if provoked. I need Sodie to start talking before Shadow loses his patience. Then, Sodie won’t be able to tell his side of the story.
“Sodie is ready to talk about that phone conversation you and I overheard,” I announce, but Shadow doesn’t acknowledge me.
Fear and hesitation permeate the air, wafting from Sodie’s direction. Sweat sprouts on his forehead and runs down the side of his face. The muscles in his thighs slightly jerk as he repositions his foot along the grass.He’s going to run.
Dammit, Sodie. I’m trying to help you!
Before I can say or do anything to stop him, Sodie darts down the hill toward the village.
In a blink, Shadow stands in front of him and grabs him by the throat. “Talk,” he snarls.
Sodie’s eyes widen, and his throat shifts as he swallows. “I’m not sure how much I can tell you,” he chokes.
I clench my jaw in irritation. I want to scream at him to just talk before he gets all of us killed.
“Stop wasting my fucking time,” Shadow grinds out between clenched teeth, his grip tightening around Sodie’s throat.
“We weren’t going to hurt her. It was to keep her safe,” he croaks.
Shadow’s face contorts with anger. “You’re hiding something. I can taste your fear. Do I need to remind you that you took an oath with the guards? Your loyalty lies with us. Or are you a traitor?”
I need to stop him before he kills Sodie, before we can learn the truth of what happened to Jessica. Darwin takes a step toward them. I lift my hand to stop him. He doesn’t have magic to protect himself against Shadow, but I do.
“Stop! He won’t talk to us if you’re threatening him.” I declare.
His eyes flicker in my direction, and I jerk back in surprise. The entirety of his eyes are seamlessly black, like a dark endless abyss.
Without a doubt, I know if I don’t do something, we will all die.
Chapter 16
An Anticlimactic Event
SHADOW
Seven Years Ago
Ignoring Liam, I focus my attention back to the traitor before me and tighten my grip on his throat. “Do you know what I do to traitors?” My magic tugs on the shadows surrounding us. Groans and moans fill the night air, sliding in closer to its target.
Sodie’s knees buckle, and his eyes dart back and forth, searching for the looming threat. He sinks to the ground, and I follow his movement, towering over him. Shadows surround him, ready to penetrate his mind. No one hurts my Princess and gets away with it.
A fireball passes right in front of my face, singeing my eyelashes. The smell of burned hair infiltrates my senses.
