He looks surprised.
I give him my most charming smile. “The temple is inside the estate so I’m still following instructions to stay within the grounds.”
“Yes, you’re right. We can escort you at once,” he says.
“All of you?” I ask.
“That is our order,” he says.
“Fine.” I sigh. “But I need privacy inside.”
“After we inspect it for your safety, we’ll wait outside,” he says.
That’s about as good as it’s going to get for now. They follow me everywhere and aside from when I’m sleeping, they’re checking on me nearly every hour. I’m surprised nobody is insisting on being inside my room.
My throat tightens when I realize that if Brevan and Caiden were here, one of them would likely be in my room whether I liked it or not. I’m not sure I’d mind, to be honest. I shove the thought from my mind when I realize I’m actually missing both of them.
I start walking, not waiting for anyone to lead us. I haven’t been back to the temple since that day when Antonia showed me, but I remember the way.
The halls are still lit with minimal light. I suppose they’ll go back to normal tomorrow. Unless this is the norm here.
As we get closer, I start to feel the temple. Something cold and dark slithers through my veins. It twists and swirls, getting more eager and intense the closer we get. I slow my progress, having to work to suppress the sensation. I worry they’ll drag me back to my rooms if my shadows leak out and blot out the hallway.
When we arrive, I stay back while Alan and another guard sweep the space. They make quick work of it, returning to the hallway, then each taking a position on either side of the door.
It’s still not as much privacy as I want, but my insides feel like they’re trying to claw their way out of me. With a quick nod, I duck into the temple.
That single candle is still lit. I’m almost certain it’s the same one, which shouldn’t be possible. But the shadows that are starting to seep out of my fingertips shouldn’t be possible, either.
I close the door behind me, then sit on the bench facing the mural. Then, I release everything I was holding in.
Shadows flood from me like tendrils of dark smoke. They slide along the floor and float up the walls. They weave aroundthe candles and wrap around me like affectionate versions of the vines from my nightmares.
Instead of trapping me, they embrace me. They’re warmer than I recall. Comforting, in a strange way.
I’ve never felt like that before about the shadows I create. Is it the space? Maybe they like it here.
They don’t blot out the room. They swirl and float like mist. Hovering above the floor and along the walls. They continue to writhe and curl around the candles.
I watch with fascination, urging them to continue their dance. I’m not sure if it’s my imagination or if they’re actually obeying me. Reaching out my hand, I summon the shadows to me.
They move like ribbons, flowing toward me from all directions. When they reach me, they loop around me, circling me until I send them back to the altar. I liked watching them weave and twist around the dusty candles, so I send them on their way.
The candles begin to flicker to life. One after the other as my shadows pass them. I drop my hands to my side, then look around the room. It’s just me.
Blinking, I call the shadows back and they dissipate, leaving me in the small room with the glowing candles.
How did that happen? Shadows can’t make light, can they? I hold my hand out again, palm up, then think about fire. Nothing happens.
Lowering my hand, I let out a breath. It must be some kind of response from the room itself. Probably to give light to anyone in the space.
I’m relieved. The last thing I need is more magic to figure out. Gripping the edge of the bench, I lean forward and study the mural, my attention lingering on the painting of Mara.
“It’s not a great likeness of you, is it?” I ask. “If not for the raven, I’m not sure I would know it was you.”
I don’t expect an answer, but I keep talking to her. She’s probably listening to me. She’s probably enjoying my discomfort.
“I get it, alright?” I tell her. “I think you’re trying to teach me something, but I don’t know what it is. I still don’t know what I have to do with your plans. Or why you agreed to let me bring down this empire.”
