Page 112 of Skyshade
They stared at each other. Their ancient ancestors still lived. The fact that they were both this strong meant their lines were infinitely powerful.
It also meant her death wouldn’t be the end of all Nightshades. Grim’s wouldn’t be either.
She could kill him to fulfill the prophecy...and his people wouldn’t die. Not if Cronan still truly lived.
But she would.
The choice remained impossible. She loved both Oro and Grim. And though the prophecy had taken over her life since the oracle had made it, Lark was now their greatest threat.
They didn’t have a chance against her. They both knew it. “Lark can’t be killed. Her army is endless.”
“So what do we do?” Grim asked. The great Nightshade warrior was asking her for her plan. And she had one.
“Nothing in this world can stop her,” Isla said. “So we need to send her to another one.”
Grim’s eyes narrowed as the meaning of her words became clear. “The portal.”
She nodded. “We need to open the portal on Nightshade and send her through. Then close it behind her.”
Grim shook his head. “We don’t know how to do that.”
He was right. But she knew where she could find that information. “The prophet’s book had pages missing, containing information on how to open and close portals. If it still exists...it’s on Lightlark.”
Grim stiffened at the mention of the island.
“I’m going to go find it.” She took the tooth from her pocket, skyre gleaming in the sun.
“I’ll go with you.”
“No. Lark could be back any moment. You need to protect your people. You need to ensure there are people left to save.”
In the past, he would have stopped her. He would have insisted on coming anyway. He would have made the decision for her.
Now, he only gathered her in his arms, pressed his lips to the crown of her head, and said, “Come back to me, wife.” His voice broke on the word. “Please.”
She looked up at him. Nodded. She didn’t have her starstick anymore...but she had access to Grim’s powers. She had used his flair before, when she had saved his life. It had taken every ounce of emotion and ability she hadn’t known she possessed.
Even now it was difficult, reaching for that bridge between them, finding that elusive portaling power. Gripping it. She gritted her teeth against the effort to hold it firmly. A bead of sweat trickled down her forehead. Her skyre glowed.
Finally, she clasped the power.
And portaled to Lightlark.
GATES
If Isla had been expecting the tooth would lead her straight to the prophet’s missing pages, she was wrong.
She landed at the edge of a forest. The trees had golden leaves and plump fruit like miniature suns.
She was on Sun Isle.
Focus, she thought to herself, feeling the rush of emotion swelling within her. Nightshade was in danger. Thousands of innocents were in danger. Grim was in danger.
The world was in danger.
She had only been on the isle once. It felt like forever ago now. She had never been past the palace.
The tooth stirred in her pocket, warm against her thigh, pulsing with power.
