Page 52 of A Court So Dark
I squinted as we reached the exit. For a moment, I was blinded, thinking that maybe we’d come up to an open field, where the sun shone brightly, but as my eyes adjusted, I realized we were in a large room hung with hundreds of fairy light chandeliers. Moreover, gilded mirrors reclined against the walls, multiplying each light by the thousand.
Why such a display of light? It was dizzying.
I placed a hand over my brow to shade my eyes.
“Did she try anything?” Cardian asked behind me.
Putting on a pout, I turned to face him. “Like what? Cry myself to sleep? Why would you leave me in such a horrible place? I think my bones have caught a chill.” I rubbed my arms for effect.
I held his gaze as he scrutinized me. He certainly wasn’t one to trust easily.
“If you try anything, Runik, here,” he gestured towards the hooded figure, “will make sure you don’t live another day.”
I eyed the male distrustfully. “What is he? Some sort of sorcerer? Could he be more powerful than your precious Varamede?”
“You don’t want to find out,” Cardian assured me.
Rolling my eyes, I nodded. “Yes, I guess you’re right about that, but I must insist, you have nothing to worry about. Now, where are we? Interesting place. Why so many mirrors?”
“Do you ever stop asking questions?”
Do you ever take the stick out of your butt?I almost let that question slip out, but I bit my tongue just in time. It wouldn’t help to overdo my blasé act.
When I didn’t say anything, Cardian huffed. Yet, he seemed satisfied. He liked to feel in control.
“As my task here is done,” he reached into his pocket, “it’s time to leave.”
Leave? Now?
No! I wouldn’t go. Not without Kalyll.
Cardian crooked an elbow, inviting me to join him. As I approached, he pulled out the token and weaved it skillfully between his fingers like some sort of poker player.
The moment I looped my arm through his, he would wish us away from here, and I couldn’t have that. I hadn’t gone through all of this just to go back without the male I loved.
If I’d been able to stop and consider the consequences of my actions, I might’ve acted differently, but I wasn’t fully in control. Dark Dani was.
With her at the helm, I jumped forward to seize Cardian’s wrist.
CHAPTER 18
DANIELLA
AsItookholdof Cardian’s wrist, the transfer token flew off his hand, hit the floor, and rolled out of sight. I barely had the sense to regret its loss. There were more pressing matters to deal with.
Still holding on, I whirled and hid behind him.
He tried to get free, and he might have succeeded had my siphoning powers been slow, but they were instantaneous, and in one beat, his body went limp against mine, his life force channeling into my body. A drawn-out moan issued from his lips, something I was sure was meant to be a cry for help. His energy filled my chest, expanding my ribs, building that pressure I once mistook for guilt.
But even though my powers worked quickly, the sorcerer, Runik, and the Fae guards were quick as well.
A spell flew in our direction and enveloped our bodies. A crackling force wedged itself between Cardian and me and pried us apart. I flew backward, landing on my ass, and he collapsed to the floor, his joints completely unhinged, his skin a putty shade of gray. He twitched, his eyelids fluttering.
A few paces from Cardian, the sorcerer weaved his hands in the air, and I knew that another attack was coming. I scrambled to hands and knees and crawled backward. A blast of energy hit the spot I’d just vacated.
Pieces of splintered wood flew in every direction, several of them embedding themselves in my exposed skin. I clenched my teeth to stifle the pain and kept moving.
The guards rushed to Cardian, took his arms, and dragged him out of the way.
