Blaise clapped him on the back before he let him go. “That’s the problem with all you natural-born gargoyles… not a very verbose bunch.”
Falcyn draped his arm over Medea. “You sure about this? Shadow’s right. Heading into Camelot with us isn’t the sanest bet.”
She nodded.
He leaned down to kiss her head.
As quickly as the tenderness had come, it vanished the instant Falcyn met Shadow’s gaze. “All right then, demon, off to Camelot to see what trouble we can find.”
Shadow let out a fierce groan. “Why do I always end up with the crazy ones?”
Urian winked at him. “Birds of a feather?”
Shadow sneered at him. “Now I remember why I don’t like you.” He swept his gaze to Blaise and Falcyn. “Any of you, as far as that goes.”
With a deep breath, Shadow cracked his knuckles. “All right, kids. Last chance. Those who want a ticket to Sanity, raise your hand and we go out the portal to your home realm.”
He waited a full minute before he let out an exaggerated groan. “Okay then, suicide it is. Buckle up, buttercups. Keep your hands inside the cart at all times and try not to get your heads chopped off. Thank you for choosing to ride The Grand Stupidity today, and for dragging me into this when I’d much rather be at home, sorting my dirty underwear and watching the grass grow.”
“Oh stop your bitching.” Blaise clapped him on the arm. “You love the excitement.”
“Yeah, you keep believing those lies, mandrake, and inhaling those fumes.” Shadow manifested a long rope.
Medea frowned as he stepped toward Brogan with it. “What are you doing?”
He paused to give her an irritated grimace. “Well, punkin, if we march in through the front doors, Morgen’s entire Circle will descend on us like vultures on nummy roadkill. And while I do have more stupidity than the average man and a certain flair for theatrics, I can really do without a thorough gutting. Fact is, I’m doing my best to avoid the experience for the entirety of my exceptionally long life.” He knotted the rope around Brogan’s waist.
“You plan to take us through the Shadowland.” Brogan’s voice was scarce more than a whisper.
He nodded. “If we teleport into Camelot, Morgen will know instantly. Only safe way in or out is my realm.”
Medea was even more confused as Shadow moved to loop and tie Brogan to Brandor. “And so I ask again… why the rope?”
“Keeps you from getting lost in the dark, princess.” Shadow moved next to Blaise.
“Remember the SOD?” Brandor asked her.
“Yeah.”
Brandor double-checked the knot at his waist, which told her how serious this was. “We’re going into the world that spawned them.”
Her heart stopped beating as she finally understood. “The thread between the worlds?”
Shadow nodded. “Home sweet fucking home. The rope is to keep anything from snatching one of you away from me while we move through it.”
Because to get lost there was to never be seen again. The darkness was ever hungry and sought any nourishment it could find.
Life being its number-one sustenance.
Shadow tied in Urian. “Keep your fear in check. Anger more so. Remember that the shadows are only a mockery of the shapes and feel of what they’re attempting to duplicate. Nebulous and transitory, they lack all substance and form. They scatter in fear at the first sign of light, because they know they can’t hold their own. Trickery and deception are the primary weapons the shadows use to distract the unwary and fool them into thinking they’re something they’re not. But in the end, those shadows are nothing more than dancing tricks that prey on unsuspecting minds, unable to differentiate the lie from the truth. When all is said and done, the shadows are swallowed either by the rays of the burning sun or the dark that eats them whole.”
He paused in front of Medea. “Are you afraid?”
“Truth never scares me. I was here before time began and I will be here long after your shadows are forgotten.”
Smiling, he inclined his head in respect for her fight and bravery. But when he moved to reach around her waist, Falcyn stopped him.
“I’ll take care of Medea and myself.”
