Page 1 of Spells of Shadow and Blood

FIVE YEARS OLD

My first memory of feeling true happiness was when I was a young girl, no more than five years of age. I was swinging on the old willow tree out back of the cottage in Siraleth, my blue and white hair swirling in the breeze behind me. My mother never knew why I was born with such strange hair, only that I was…different. A giggle bubbled to my lips as I pumped my legs, faster and faster and faster.

My father watched me from the back porch, his arm wrapped around my mother, a coffee mug in his hand. She looked up at him in adoration, her blue eyes squinting against the morning sun as she gazed upon him. He smiled, his eyes crinkling at the corners as he watched me.

It was just me and my parents.

Little did I know…that unbridled moment of happiness would be fleeting.

I think that was the last time I had trulylaughed. Truly felt it break free from my chest on its own accord, escaping my lips without a second thought.

The moment was shattered when a Shade I had never seen before approached from inside the cottage, her old face drawn with wrinkles. Her greying hair was pulled into a tight knot at the base of her neck, her eyes a mystical purple I had never seen before.

Who was this woman?

I hopped down from the swing—jumping into the air—my gingham dress lifting around me as I dashed toward the cottage. My father scooped me up into his arms, blowing raspberries against my cheek as he tossed me about, my hair whipping around us. More laughter burst free as he tickled me, and despite my kicking against him, I didn’t want him to let me go.

I think that was the last time I had seen Zion truly happy, too. The years that would follow aged him considerably. He had never been dealt an easy hand in this life, especially with me as his daughter.

My mother, Annelise, and the Shade I didn’t recognize moved off into the living room. Their hushed whispers reached my ears from the doorway. The cottage was a small, humble home. The sound didn’t have a great distance to travel, despite their lowered voices.

“Who did you hear this from?” Annelise asked, sitting on the green velvet settee against the large picture window. Her brow was creased with worry.

The Shade leaned toward her, purple eyes darting toward me.

She knew I was listening, but that didn’t stop the words that spilled from her mouth.

“The Seer, Alastir. You know of his gift from the mother?” she asked.

Annelise nodded in confirmation. “I do.”

“Then you know that the news he brings is…imminent. This will come to fruition, sooner rather than later.”

Annelise shook her head, her gaze falling back on the Shade before her. “It can’t be. He might not be a forgiving king, a generous king, but we could do worse as a realm. He wouldn’t dare—”

The strange Shade leaned in conspiratorially. “That’s what I am worried about.”

Her gaze flicked toward me once more.

“You’re sure?” Annelise asked. “The king will be tainted with darkness?”

The Shade nodded solemnly.

They were speaking of King Osiris?

“That’s why I’ve come to you, Annelise. Osiris requires a healer of…great talent. You were the first to come to mind.”

Annelise shook her head. “I can’t possibly leave—” But her words were cut off when the Shade before her grasped her hand, pulling it into her lap and giving it a tight squeeze.

“I’m afraid it isn’t a request.” Her voice was barely above a whisper as her eyes drifted down to their clasped hands.

Annelise reeled back as if slapped.

I squirmed in my father’s arms, desperate to be put down now. He gave me one final kiss on the forehead before finally placing me gently on the floor. I quietly padded across the hardwood to the archway in the kitchen. I was tucked right behind the opening where they couldn’t see me. Zion disappeared into the backyard.

“You mean…I am being summoned?” Annelise asked.

I dug my nails into the wood of the archway. I didn’t want my mother to leave. How long would she be gone? The castle in Akra was…far away. When would she be back? Would I get to visit her? See the castle with my own two eyes?

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