Page 18 of Soul of Thorns
The wraith looks back then forward, his shoulder’s tight.
“Until the Night Bringer gave me some of his magic, yes.” That was what changed everything. I was as weak as anyone else in the Shadow Court. I couldn’t have broken the curse either. Until I made a bargain with the Night Bringer. I was tortured into agreeing of course, but part of the deal was taking some of his magic. That magic helped me to kill Reahgan, a fae much stronger than me otherwise. The Night Bringer didn’t expect me to succeed in the bargain—he wanted me to fail. I’d have his magic, but he’d have control of it and therefore of me. I’d be his slave. And I wouldn’t have had any choice but to obey his every word.
Then, I would have had the power needed and I’d be under his control. Win-win for the evil being.
But because I did succeed and killed the right fae, I have his magic and I’m free from his torture and influence. Now, they have to find a new way to use me.
The wraith wolf freezes mid-step. “Wait... what did you say?”
I turn to face him, noting his slacked expression. Honestly, it’s sad that I’m becoming accustomed to reading the smoke bodies of the wraiths. They have no real physical form, it’s entirely magic pretending to be physical. But I suppose I should get used to it. I’m going to be here for a very long time.
“What?” I have no energy left to play games with him.
Something I’ve said has fear coursing through him now. His chest pulses with it. “You have the Night Bringer’s magic?”
“I thought you wraiths knew everything?” I roll my eyes. “Yes, he gave it to me in exchange for a bargain. But he only did it because he needed me to be strong enough to break the curse.”
The wraith slowly backs away. “If the Night Bringer’s magic is inside of you... then, you’ve already lost. It will control you. Strangle you from the inside.”
I shake my head. “I’ve had his magic for over a decade. It once had a mind of its own, sure enough, but since I completed the bargain, it hasn’t so much as whispered to me.”
The wraith’s eyes narrow. “He wouldn’t have given it to you if he didn’t intend to use it against you.”
“I am certain he intended to use it against me, yes. But that doesn’t mean he succeeded.”
The wolf crouches, baring his teeth. “You think you’ve won? That his plans aren’t much larger than all of this? No. No, I hadn’t chosen an allegiance before now. But I will not pick the losing side.”
The flames flash black then back to golden-red. The wolf’s eyes grow wider.
“Wraith!” a voice echoes over the flames. The very ground rumbles beneath my feet. The mountains tremble, and my soul along with them. “It is your time tochoose.”
The final word echoes over and over, bouncing off the stones towering over us.
The wolf crouches, baring his sharp fangs. The terror in his eye matches mine.
“No,” I whisper. Because I know that voice. It’s different thanhis, and yet, the same. The stone recognizes these creature’s dominion. The world quakes with their voice.
I know I should run, but my muscles are frozen. My mind is clenched with fear—memories echo through me.
Night Bringer.
Master.
It was so long ago that I’d faced him. So long ago that his talons carved through my body and spirit. But I can feel it. The echo of wounds long since faded.
I barely even register as claws and fangs fly straight at me. Instinct takes over, and I fling shadows at the wolf, but panic constricts my breath, and my magic flickers weakly. The wolf easily dodges my attack and reaches for me. His claw slashes through my forearm, and a cry of pain escapes my lips.
Then, a wall of light stretches between us. The wolf roars in pain and rage as he slams into the glistening whiteness. I, too, shrink back at the bright light, eyes searing.
Rev roars as he swings his arms, and his magic mimics the motion, sending the wolf flying toward the cliffs. The wolf’s smokey magic slams into the stone, and he falls limp to the ground.
The ground rumbles beneath us, louder and stronger. Faster.
“He’s coming.” The wolf whimpers.
I find myself on my hands and knees, unsure how I even got there. My fingers dig into the soft clay-like muck. I can’t breathe, can’t think. All I can hear is his voice.
The Night Bringer.
