Page 43

Bria

I sprint to my room across the hall, ripping the shredded tunic from my body and dressing hurriedly in warm clothing.

I yank on a fresh tunic and clean leggings before tugging on my leather armor and strapping it into place.

My hands are shaking uncontrollably as I hear Evander start to scream my name again.

Then nothing. I close my eyes tight, blocking out the sudden silence.

I desperately hope no one heard him before he was gagged.

The shadows are hurting him. I’m hurting him.

And it eats at me. But I need to find Nimai.

What I felt from that vision was worse than the ones before.

It’s what I imagine it would feel like if someone was pulling your soul out of your body, pulling strands of your very being from every inch of you. All at once.

Shoving my feet into the leather boots, I stand and strap on the bandolier, jamming daggers in quickly. As I hurry out of the room, I slide a sword into its sheath at my side. Swinging my cloak around me, I pull up the fur-lined hood and slip out of the inn and into the night.

Running through the dark, the snow crunches beneath my boots and I cringe, hoping no one can hear and cursing the cold weather.

I aim toward the stables. The shadows won’t contain Evander for long.

There is no way for me to maintain them once I leave the camp.

My magic will only extend so far, and I can feel the effort from his fight draining me already.

The barn door slams open, and the warm, earthy air hits me like a thick wall.

I hasten to saddle a horse and lead it outside.

The only way I can do this is if I drop the shadowy bindings once I get to the guards so I can cloak myself.

I can’t split my magic between keeping Evander contained and covering my escape, and I need as much energy and strength as I can muster if I’m headed to the capital.

Tears sting my eyes and leave an icy chill on my cheeks as I mount the horse and steer the reins toward the road that leads southeast, out of the mountains. To my sister. And into the home of my enemies.