Page 28 of Light and Shadow
Jax grips Bert’s shoulder. “The old portals are not meant for your kind. Are you certain you wish to go on this mission, Bert Donaldson?”
“Will it kill me?” There’s no fear in Bert’s question.
Jax smiles wildly. “No, but it may make you wish you were dead for a moment or two.”
“I can live with that.” Bert is a strong man who earned his muscles through hard work at sea.
“Let’s get you a weapon. Do you think you can handle a sword?” Jax starts toward the door with Nainsi and Bert.
“I’m better with throwing knives, but a good dagger might do.”
I watch them go, and I stare at the closed door long after they’re gone. Closing my eyes, I lean my palms on the table. “I should have protected her better. I never saw her leave the party.”
Selina sits and slowly spins the scrying bowl. “You will find her and get her out of there. I do not doubt you or Harper Craig. She is true, and I think her heart leans toward good.”
Selina’s four sons sit with their sweet faces between the spindles on the stairs. I want to save them. Four pairs of blueeyes blink back at me. I pray that my brothers and I will succeed and help save them and the world for them to grow up in. “Even though Jax doubts her?”
Looking at her boys, she smiles. “I long for a daughter for them to dote on. Jax is cautious about things he doesn’t understand. The world of humans is wrought with tales of dishonor, and that is what worries him.”
“There are many stories that tell the opposite. But I understand his concern. We all fear what we don’t know. I thought I would walk into the human world, tell Harper to come with me, and be back at the Watcher’s Gate in five minutes.” I laugh at my arrogance.
“Harper is not a woman to be bullied.” Selina grins.
“No. Nor is she a woman who does anything without reason. She saved this village tonight. Venora knew she couldn’t destroy Harper with the magic at her disposal. She needs something more for that, but she could have killed these people. Harper has known you for only a few hours, yet she traded her life for yours.” I wish I could have talked her out of it, but at the same time, I’m so proud of her.
“She is more than we expected.” Selina dashes a tear away. “My people will migrate toward the new city in the valley. We will join your mother for the battles to come. We have hidden in the safety of my magic for too long. And tonight, it failed. Venora found a way through.” She sighs and looks at the wide eyes of her children. “Regardless of the promises made tonight, she will kill or take who she can. I have no faith in her word.”
I admire Selina’s reasoning and pity her task of moving her home, family, and people. “My mother will be honored by your coming.”
With a final bow, I go back to the guest house and gather mine and Harper’s things.
Chapter Eight
Harper
In the unlikely event that I live through the witch queen’s torture, I search the long throne room for anything that might help. Faded gold and white arches reach to a high ceiling. It was probably a beautiful hall where parties were held. Now it’s a black and gray tomb with shadow demons hovering around the perimeter. Soot darkens the dozen tall windows, and barely any sunlight comes through. It’s like a long-forgotten Gothic cathedral, but nothing holy could exist here.
Darkness and shadows.
I thought I would be brave in the face of whatever Venora did to me, but my screams echo off the towering, singed stone walls. Black lightning shoots from her fingers and rips into my body. It feels like my blood is on fire, and my bones are being crushed. I collapse to the rough bloodstained stone floor. I will die soon. Blood, my blood, marks everything. I should be dead already. This horrible magic is far worse than the portal.
Venora screams in frustration. “Why won’t she turn? What magic does this puny human have that can thwart my spells?”She strides down the steps of the dais and approaches, but stops a few feet away. “What is the source of your magic?”
“I have no magic.” I try to focus on her face, but my vision is blurry as every part of me wants to fall into oblivion and make this agony stop.
“Lies!” she screeches. “I am the most powerful elf that has ever lived. I am the witch queen. None can resist my magic. You will become part of my shadow demon army. You will be my shining warning to all who would act against me. None will dare come to aid them once one of their prophesized humans is mine.”
Still not breaching some invisible line between us, she shoots her magic at me, and I careen across the bone-breaking floor. My skin tears and scrapes in a dozen places. Pain beyond measure fills my soul.
Where Aaran’s magic had been easy and cool, like grass in a spring breeze, Venora’s magic hurts, even when not directed at me. It’s like a nail digging a path through a steel pipe or the stripping of a metal screw where everyone around cringes.
“There are no old trees to protect her here. Why won’t she die? Why won’t she be taken?” Panic tinges Venora’s voice.
She’s afraid of me. There’s power in that.
“She will fall, my queen. They all will. We will find the right magic to break these human interlopers.” The masculine voice sounds calm and confident.
Venora storms past me, still keeping her distance, and another set of feet follow her.
