Page 59 of When Storms Awaken

The Shadow appeared almost as if it were a bowl, set down into the middle of the city. It was full of cramped and narrow soot covered streets and unkempt dilapidated buildings, not like what we had seen of the city so far. Many of the buildings and walkways were covered with dark sheets pulled tightly across rooftops to shield the people below from the prying eyes above. It obscured most of the view from here. We approached a staircase that would lead us down into The Shadow, and Saanvi knelt to adjust the laces on her tall boots.

She glanced both ways, then in the blink of an eye her tall boots and long braid disappeared as she turned into a small black cat with a green emerald hanging from her black collar. I had seen Nik shift before, but Tess held back a small gasp as she watched. Saanvi was a Nightshade. A shapeshifter, like Nik.

“I thought shapeshifters could only turn into wolves?” I whispered under my breath as I leaned into Nik.

“It’s true that wolves are a common form, but they’re not the only form,” he replied quietly.

“You can turn into a cat?” I asked, amused at the idea of Nik turning into a furry little kitty as I suppressed a laugh.

As if he could read my mind, he shot me a glare. “No, we can only shift into one animal form, not any creature at will. I like to believe my form is a wolf because I am a fierce fighter and protector. Saanvi is stealthy and has nine lives, it makes perfect sense that her magic chose a cat for her shifted form.”

Saanvi turned towards our hushed conversation and meowed at us once before heading towards the stairs, quickly descending them as we followed. Once we reached the bottom it appeared even darker, despite the ominous dark clouds threatening to bring a storm down over all of Prins. It was as if the darkest of those clouds hovered over The Shadow, helping to conceal it.

We stayed close together and Tess looped her arm through mine as we followed Nik and Puck. Saanvi was quick, and it took some effort to keep up with my shorter legs. The storefronts here were not open to the street and overflowing with wares for sale like they had been higher up in the city. Here they were hidden behind boarded-up windows and closed off doors. A few of the shops appeared somewhat normal, whereas others appeared almost sinister as we walked down the city streets. I remembered what Puck had said, about this being a place to experience questionable, tricky, magic if that’s what you were in the market for. Maybe even dark magic.

The Shadow had winding and twisting streets, making it easy to get lost if you weren’t familiar with its layout. Nothing was laid out in a straight line. Patrons slipped into the shops quickly with their caps turned down low over their faces. Those passing us on the street either ignored us entirely or glowered at us from beneath their cloaks, their expressions dark and unwelcoming. The store fronts that were not boarded up appeared to sell Elixirs and other enchanted items. The only patrons that lingered on the streets were those outside the pubs, laughing and leering with their drinks in hand at passersby.

After a few minutes of walking, we reached a dead end that had a closed and chained door. We continued down the alley despite it appearing to lead to nowhere. Saanvi briefly turned back into her human form and passed her hand over the chained lock, whispering a few words under her breath.

The lock came free with a pop and Saanvi glanced behind her before turning back into a cat and passing through the door. Puck closed it behind us, and we could hear the lock snap shut on its own on the other side of the door. It must have been some type of self-locking spell.

We were inside a dark and windowless tunnel, and the floor beneath us was slightly damp. My sneakers squeaked against the wet stone as we pressed forwards into the darkness. The tunnel wasn’t terribly long, and when we reached the other side Nik pulled the door open. This one had not been locked from the other side. This door led us directly onto a steep staircase leading upwards, presumably out of The Shadow.

When we reached the top of the staircase, the sun was clearer, the air not as heavy. We were on the other side of Prins, we had safely made our way through The Shadow unscathed. I could see the other side where we had come from across the pit. Saanvi turned back into her human form and stretched her arms high above her head, letting out a catlike yawn.

“All in a day’s work,” she said, cracking her neck.

“Thank you, Saanvi.” Nik placed an arm on her shoulder and squeezed it with a grateful smile.

“Anything for you.” She smiled in return. “Where are you lot off to now?”

“Straight to Eight Bells, of course,” Puck answered. “It’s been too long since I’ve had a pint of Dragon’s Ale.”

“Dragon’s Ale?” Tess questioned with a raised eyebrow.

“It’s light, you’ll love it. Only problem is, it goes down like water and half the time we end up getting kicked out. Don’t worry, there’s no drinking age in Istmere,” he replied with a laugh as he saw her eyes go wide.

“We are planning to spend the weekend here, so no getting kicked out tonight,” Nik warned Puck with a pointed look.

“It was great seeing you, and it was nice meeting you both.” Saanvi nodded towards us. “I’ve got to get back to work before they notice I’m gone. You’ll need to learn your own way around The Shadow someday, though I’m afraid youdostick out like a sore thumb. Send me a message if you’ve got any fun plans before you head back. Now you know where to find me.” She winked.

“Will do.” Nik smiled, and just like that Saanvi turned back into the little black cat, and disappeared back down the staircase.

EightBellsPub&Inn was nestled between a row of buildings adorned with a cobblestone street front and a big gold sign hanging out front. It had both a bank, and a bookstore located on either side of it, the building deeper than it was wide.

The narrow pub had a long wooden bar running the length of it, dusty wooden tables and leather booths situated opposite it. A long spiral staircase at the back of the pub led up to the inn, and the kitchens were located beyond that. I hadn’t realized how hungry I was until my stomach gave a soft grumble as we entered and my nose filled with the smell of bar food.

“Let’s check in and ditch these bags first,” Nik suggested, making his way to the counter at the back of the pub where a short, stout, woman with wild dark curls and an apron manned the desk.

“Can I help you?” she asked without glancing up from her notebook. She continued to scribble into it, uninterrupted, as she leaned over the desk.

“We’d like to book a few rooms at the inn,” Nik replied.

“Only got two rooms left,” she answered, still not looking up. There was a pause as we all glanced at each other. Would Tess and I share a room while Nik and Puck shared one? I couldn’t imagine them sharing a bed, or rather, fitting in the same bed.

“How do you want to do this?” Nik asked, pulling his hood back to reveal his swath of pale golden hair.

“I don’t mind sharing a room with Puck if you don’t mind sharing a room with Nik.” Tess nudged, a fake innocence in her expression. Of course, she wanted to share a room with Puck. Or did she think she was doing me a favor, pushing me to share a room with Nik? I hadn’t thought this far in advance, and I hadn’t exactly packed the right pajamas for such an encounter. I imagined I’d have my own room or that I’d be sharing one with Tess.

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