Page 58 of Soul of Thorns
Rev
Caelynn’s wraith’smagic stings like acid as it slams against my body. His hands curl over my throat, and I choke back, trying to twist away, but I don’t use my magic. Not a spark of the white light that could cast him off in only a moment.
The pressure over my head feels so complete I swear my brain is moments from exploding. Finally, light flickers over my palms, just enough to toss him to the side. He skids to a stop over the shimmering black pebbles. The smoke that makes up his body flickers. He bares his black teeth at me. “I will kill you. I should have killed you the moment I knew Caelynn would continue to choose you no matter what it cost her.”
I press my hand over my throat, pressing tightly over the slick wound. It’s pouring blood.Wonderful.
“You would let him kill you?” I whip my head at the new voice. Smooth and poised, it drifts from the trees beside the swamp.
The wraith and I both twist to face the forest as another wraith approaches. His magic is light grey, eyes glowing silver. Reahgan always was powerful.
Despite the rage and doubt swirling in my chest now, I take in a long breath and close my eyes, just long enough to pull in the magic I need to stop my bleeding. The blinding light from my palms causes both wraiths to jerk back, covering their eyes.
“Yes, use up all that magic of yours. You’ll be easier to kill.”
“You will not touch my brother,” Reahgan says, each word pointed.
“If Caelynn is already dead—” I pause, heart-clenching at those words. “Why does it matter now?”
And if Reahgan, who’s entire plan centered around her death, is here, does that mean he had a part to play in her demise?
The shadow wraith’s face falls. “I....” His jaw sets, eyes determined but sad. “I do not know for sure she is gone.”
Reahgan chuckles, but my breath shudders. “What are the chances?”
My eyes flash to the burning flame behind us. There is no commotion. No hint there is anything happening inside. There’s just... nothing.
“She is not dead, dear brother. But she may soon wish she was.”
I wince as a blade—or something just as sharp—presses tightly against the underside of my jaw. I freeze, every muscle tense.
“Do not move, rodent,” a voice deeper than I’d ever heard growls at me, and my vision wavers in panic.
Reahgan crosses his arms confidently.
What have you done? I think but don’t dare mutter a word.
Because whatever has a hold me of now... it is much worse than a wraith.
