Page 132 of A Kingdom of Shadow and Ash

Even Vera’s expression darkened.

‘When a child is born, they are left outside in da snow so a wild wolf can claim them,’ Wren continued, her voice softer now, almost reverent. ‘If no wolf comes, da babe dies. That is da wolverian way. When da wild wolf chooses ya, yer bound to it for life.’ Her fingers drummed against the tabletop as if recalling something distant and cold. ‘Always two wolves show up, one for each twin. They take da babes, keep them warm through da night, and by morning, they return them.’ Her lips tightened. ‘But when Eirwen was born, his wolf came… but his sista’s neva did. She froze to death in da snow. They gave me brotha her name, even though Eirwen is a girl’s name.’

She exhaled, her breath feather-light.

‘He says sometimes he can see her. That she’s a wolf,watching over him. That he speaks to her.’ Wren shrugged, but something haunted lingered in her gaze. ‘We wolverians believe our dead are reborn as wild wolves. But… I dunno if me brotha really sees her.’

‘Why not?’ Vera asked.

‘Becas I neva have.’ Wren shrugged. ‘I’m a Seer. Surely I would have seen her, no?’

Kage, who had resumed flipping through his book, finally spoke, ‘Perhaps,’ he said. ‘Or perhaps not. Eirwen was the twin, they had a special bond. Their bond may transcend death in a way even a Seer cannot perceive.’

‘Yes, I suppose so.’

Silence settled over the room, save for the rustle of pages and the occasional caw of the crow. The weight of idleness pressed heavy on Wren’s shoulders. She glanced around the dreary chamber, restless.

‘Mal went patrolling,’ Kage mumbled from where he sat as if he could read Wren like one of his books. The thought made her suddenly uncomfortable.

‘What do you mean?’ Vera demanded, standing so abruptly her chair nearly toppled over.

‘The drakonian prince and her went to the borders. My brother Kai told me this morning they would be gone for most of the day.’

Vera’s face paled, her lips parting in horror.

‘Vera, what’s wrong?’ Wren asked.

The witch whirled towards them, her voice sharp as a blade.‘Witches.’ Her eyes burnt with urgency. ‘They will be attacked at the wall by witches.’

‘How are ya so sure?’

Vera gritted her teeth. ‘Because…’ She hesitated, then shook her head, impatient. ‘Just listen to me. The borders are no longer safe. They will be attacked.’

‘My sister knows how to fight,’ Kage said.

‘You are not looking at the greater picture. If Ash dies, or Mal does, the curse cannot be broken. They both need to be alive until Mal has that damn dagger in her hand. Even if she dies and we have the dagger, it won’t work. It has to be Mal who stabs Ash in the heart.’

‘How do ya know all of that?’ Wren’s stomach twisted.

‘I’ll explain on the way.’ Vera shoved past them towards the door. ‘We need to find a way to catch up to them.’

‘They’re on dragons.’ Kage exhaled sharply, running a hand through his dark hair. ‘I have my wyvern but it might not even respond to me if it doesn’t want to, and we cannot travel on giant wolves because we would take too long.’

‘Then we fly!’ Wren declared.

Kage’s scowl deepened.’And how, exactly, do you propose we do that?’

Wren’s lips curled, wicked as the winter wind. ‘I have a few friends that will give us a ride on their flying horses.’

Sometimes I wish I had a magical mirror and that by looking into it I could somehow see the outcome of absolutely everything. Because if you know the future, you no longer have to fear it. No matter what it shows you. You know it is going to happen, so you can prepare. But not knowing, wondering whether one decision could lead you in one direction and the other down another path entirely is nerve-wracking. I cannot help but envy Seers and their ability to have visions.

But I have heard of a magic that allows you to see.

Blood magic.

It is forbidden, but they say it is the most powerful.

I may not be a Seer…

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