Page 52 of Midnight Reign
“Yes,” she confirms, looking back at us, but then her face falls. “They were here as a harbinger.”
“Ooh, I don’t like the sound of that.”
She smiles at me. “No one does, but they are here to warn us of what is coming.”
“And what is that?”
Her face falls into a frown. “That I don’t know. Yet.”
“So why did they attack the students and destroy MistHallow’s sanctity?” Blackthorn says, coming closer, wary of the docile shadow pet at Addy’s feet.
“They were trying to find me. The wards made it confusing for them. But…” She trails off, clutching her head.
“What is it?” I go to her and place my hand on her temple. “Whoa,” I say, eyes wide when the connection snaps into place with the entity inside her head.
Hello, dear. Crimson Shadow smiles at me as if this were any old day in the park and she was standing right in front of me.You are a special boy, aren’t you?
“You make me sound like fucking Pinocchio,” I grouse.
Addy snorts, even though her face is still grim. “You know how Pinocchio is?”
Concentrating harder, I step closer to Addy. She claps her hand over mine, and the connection strengthens.
Djinn magick is wonderful. Now we can all have a little chat.
“About what?” I ask.
About the shadows that are mimicking my pets and are currently tearing MistHallow to shreds looking for me.
“So there are two different kinds of shadows?”
Yes. Mine were trying to get to Adelaide. She killed one of them. Or her little bug did.
“Bug?”
“Orby,” Addy murmurs.
“Huh. I’m confused. So you’re saying that MistHallow is still in danger? That the students who were taken?—”
Are likely dead. The portal that Randall opened let some of them out, along with my pets. I need to get back.
“Back?”
Yes back. I’m stuck in this half-state and while I am, things are going to get worse. And you, dear boy, can help me.
I exchange a glance with Addy. She nods encouragingly.
Corvus, Ignatius, and Zephyr are leaning in close, expecting to hear this conversation going on in Addy’s head.
“How?”
Well, you can create worlds, love. I need you to create a world, a pocket dimension, if you will, that will bridge the gap between here and there.
“And how is that meant to help anything?” I’m not sure how I’m supposed to do that. I have never heard of a bridge dimension being created before.
For starters, I need you all to perform the ritual that will free me.
“Free you?” Caution is an understatement right now.
