Page 13 of Of Kings and Thieves

My eyes darted between them, trying to piece together what had happened.

“You... reached me,” Col explained, his gaze never leaving mine. “I told Killian your whereabouts, and he used the Darkrift to get to you before it was too late.”

“Darkrift?” I frowned, but my attention quickly shifted back to Killian. His lean physique and graceful features were striking, though an unsettling air clung to him. A silver mask shaped like a snarling beast rested in his hand, and I recalled the terrifying visage of the Deviant from my last memory.

“Wait,” I said, realization dawning on me. “You’re the Deviant! I saw you just before I passed out. But you’re not... an enemy?”

Killian shook his head. “No, I’m working alongside Col.” His voice held a quiet strength, and despite his frightening mask, there seemed to be something kinder beneath the surface.

The revelation took a moment to sink in. Col was allied with a Deviant. It was almost too much to process, yet I couldn’t deny that Killian had saved my life. As I stared at him, I weighed my uncertainty against the gratitude I felt.

“Thank you,” I whispered, offering a genuine, if hesitant, smile.

“Your gratitude should extend to Col as well,” Killian replied, his tone calm and measured. “He acted quickly when he learned of the danger you were in.”

“I am grateful,” I murmured, looking back at Col, whose eyes still bore the weight of guilt.

“I know there’s a lot to discuss,” Col said, “but perhaps you should rest.”

“Not yet. I want to know everything… though my head is splitting.”

“An accurate description,” Killian said, “considering your skull was cracked.”

My mouth dropped open in disbelief. “How am I still alive?”

Col shifted uncomfortably. “You held on long enough for Killian to reach you. He’s a gifted mage when it comes to healing magic—something the two of you have in common.”

I tentatively touched the bandage wrapped around my head. “I’m not this talented.”

Killian sat by the fire and began to add logs to it. “You’ll need a few days to rest and recover. But then you should be well enough to travel.”

“Where are we?” I asked.

“The northern mountains,” Col said, “on the path to Iron Deep.”

I ignored the spike of pain that shot through my head. “How long was I asleep? It must have been days—”

“Only two since I found you,” Killian said. Sunlight filtered through the trees and danced across Killian’s face, softening his severe features. I couldn’t help but marvel at the fact that I was now leagues away from Prismvale, a journey that should have taken at least a week but seemed to have taken no time at all.

“How?” I asked. “And don’t give me any nonsense about needing to rest.”

Magnus huffed a laugh and began stoking the fire as if Killian hadn’t done it to his satisfaction.

Killian nodded. “I transported you through the Darkrift, a realm beyond our own,” he explained slowly, his words carefully chosen. “It exists as a world between worlds, another place, allowing for near-instantaneous travel across great distances.”

“Sounds like something out of a myth,” I said. “But why didn’t I see it? I mean, I woke up here, and I don’t remember anything about the journey.”

“Walking the Darkrift can be... disorienting,” Killian replied, his eyes narrowing slightly. “You were unconscious at the time, which is probably for the best. The less you witness of the Darkrift, the better.”

“Is it dangerous?” I asked, leaning in closer, eager to soak up every detail. My mind spun with questions.

“Only if you’re unprepared,” he replied, his voice steady and even. “Those who know how to navigate it can use it to their advantage. It takes skill and concentration, but it’s a useful tool when used correctly.”

Gingerly, I stretched my legs, finding that while they were sore, they weren’t injured. “A tool used by Deviants?”

Killian began pouring a powder from a leather pouch into a drinking flask. “Only those of a certain skill level. It is not for the faint of heart, and learning to travel through it takes years of preparation and study.”

“Another realm,” I mused. “I wish I could have seen it.”

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