Page 99 of Shackled to the World
Fury rose in her hard and fast, dark particles seeping from her skin at the threat.
“The bindings—the tattoo connecting you to the others—might be the only thing that saves you and them. You can draw power from them but also send power to them. If their lives are threatened, you can keep them alive.”
“By draining myself.”
“Yes.” Sadie cocked her head, studying her. “But I suspect you already know that, or you wouldn’t have agreed to it.” The phantom touched her own wrist, a slight movement that Annora almost missed.
“You’re envious. Why?” It wasn’t jealousy or anything so simple, but maybe Annora was wrong. She still wasn’t very good at reading people.
Sadie grimaced, quickly dropping her hands, but she didn’t deny it. “Phantoms used to mate for life. It was said to be one of the greatest honors to be chosen. The markings don’t show up unless you find your perfect match, someone who will love you beyond life and into death. That was taken from us when it was decided we’d be stronger devoting ourselves to our race and not one person.”
Annora slumped, not needing to guess who ordered such a thing. “My father again.”
“Actually, no.” Sadie shrugged when she caught Annora staring at her. “But he upholds the laws made by the council ruthlessly and without mercy.”
“Do you think they’re wrong?” Annora shifted on her feet, not sure why the answer was so important to her.
“Before today, I would’ve said no. I didn’t know any different until now.” Sadie looked out the window, as if she couldn’t bear to look at the future that had been denied her. “But after meeting you and seeing your men…I don’t know anymore.”
Footsteps pounded up the stairs. Sadie quickly sidestepped, going into warrior mode, seeming to snatch her sword out of thin air, the afterworld still clinging to it.
Only to have Edgar and Willa barge into the room.
Annora glanced beyond them, then raised a brow and smiled. “Don’t trust the others?”
“Not even an inch.” Willa snorted, her green eyes bright, and she lifted her chin, the humor vanishing. “In case you’re not aware, I’m only a half witch. Most witches are fanatically loyal to their covens, while we mixed bloods are assigned to them like heifers at an auction. My coven isn’t happy about my little rebellion. They’ve demanded loyalty and threatened to banish me if I didn’t take them with me today. I’m sure they’ll think of something unpleasant to do to me as punishment, but I refuse to bend to them, not when I finally have a choice and the power to enforce it.”
“We’re more alike than I thought. I’m not very good at taking orders either.” Edgar and Sadie both snorted, and Annora glanced at the two phantoms who stood off to the side. Neither of them protested her training Willa in the forbidden dark matter magic—something so dangerous it would mean an immediate death sentence if other phantoms discovered the truth.
She studied them a moment longer but couldn’t detect any reluctance about her training an outsider. Annora took that as a giant step in the right direction. She lifted her hand, then called up a ball of churning smoke and held it out toward Willa. “You won’t be able to conjure the dark matter, but let’s check to see if you have an affinity to using it.”
She tossed the ball up in the air, letting it hover between them. A true smile crossed Willa’s face, determination to master this new ability sharpening her stare.
It was an hour before lunch was called, but it was enough to leave Willa swearing and sweaty. While the witch could use dark matter, it was taxing. She couldn’t cast using the dark particles directly, but she could use them to boost her own spells. The destructive force was awe-inspiring, the proof leaving Annora’s room covered with feathers and splinters of wood when the spells went awry.
As they headed down the stairs, Annora nudged Willa. “Want to join us for dinner?”
Though she looked tempted, Willa ultimately shook her head. “I’d better not. The longer I’m gone, the more restless the coven will get. If I don’t show up soon, they’re going to storm the house.”
Annora grimaced at the thought.
The witches gathered like sharks scenting blood.
“You’re welcome to sneak out the back,” Annora offered. When they reached the bottom of the stairs, the kitchen was empty except for Mason and Loulou. The troll was leaning casually against the wall, patiently waiting for her, while Loulou was partially hanging out of the fridge, her backside wiggling and bobbing around while she dug around for something.
Willa hesitated at the offer, then sighed in defeat. “No, it’s better to face them on my own terms. They’ll only track me down later and make me pay for it.”
She headed toward the door, then hesitated. “You’re not what I expected.”
Annora lifted her brows, not sure whether that was good or bad.
“I don’t like many people, but I find myself liking you.” Willa sounded grumpy and resigned as she turned and exited through the front door.
Annora stared at the door, a bit bemused and flustered by the backhanded compliment when Loulou popped up next to her. She had her hands full of so many drinks that they threatened to spill out of her arms. Then Annora noticed Loulou had a carrot tucked in one of her hands, and she had to suppress her chuckle.
Loulou squinted at the door, still and silent for once, then heaved a sigh. “I hate to admit it, but she’s not bad. For a witch.”
After her grudging approval, Loulou bumped Annora’s hip with hers, then scooted out the kitchen toward the back door, practically skipping to a tune only she could hear, not missing a beat as she juggled the drinks while chewing her carrot stick.
