Page 153 of A Vow of Shadow and Blood

“What? Did I not mention that my shadow-bending ability means that I can turn into literal shadows?” she asks, and we both laugh.

“No, you didn’t.” We share a brief smile, and I know that she understands the message.I’m glad you’re ok.

“My powers are back,” Kaia says, dragging us back to reality. She stretches out her hands, allowing a thick cloud of shadows to spill from them. I step back as they morph into two giant swords that she waves through the air. She turns back to look at me for a brief second before leaping into the fight, cutting down several impures before her feet even touch the ground.Gods, now I know why they call her the Warrior.

I search deep within myself and feel that tingle of power in the pit of my stomach.

It’s back.

My eyes home in on Willow behind the barrier of bodies that Julian is using as a shield. They remain like statues, unmoving, but I do not doubt that they will come alive the second I try to attack.

I approach with caution.

“I want my sister back, Julian.”

He tsks, and my grip on the dagger tightens.

“Call off the guard dogs, and we can talk business,” he says.

“They’re vampires. You should know that they don’t take orders from me.”

He laughs at this as if the entire situation is just one big joke to him. Meanwhile, my eyes scan the area looking for a way to get to Willow.

“Your friend is quiet today.” He taps the side of his head, and I know that he is talking about Athriel, but a strange look in his eyes puts me on edge.

“He wasn’t in the mood for your bullshit.”

I take a step closer. A flash of movement catches my eye, and I look up to find an impure jumping from the ledge above to join the fight. Shadow soldiers meet the creatures blow for blow, but as Karius tires, we become more and more outnumbered.

Willow slowly stands. She shakes her head as though desperate for me to abandon her, but I ignore the warning. I would rather die than leave her behind. I decide that a distraction is the best method. I can’t run at him directly, but I can keep him talking.

“How did you know that the prince was my mate?”

A low rumble of laughter leaves him.

“I know many things about you and your prince. I’ve always been curious about the mating bond. What is it like?”

“Annoying,” I say. He laughs at this. “Did you know he was my mate when you sent me to kill him?”

He tilts his head. “I had my suspicions. Did you know that mates can recognize something in each other even before they seal the bond? It’s like a tug.”

“No,” I lie. I know exactly what he’s referring to. The tug gets stronger for me every day. The more I try to resist it, the worse it gets.

“That’s how I knew he’d take you, but you were supposed to kill him before it was sealed. It was foolish of me to expect a weak little human to resist the pull of a powerful vampire. Never send a child to do a man’s job, I guess.”

I can tell that he’s trying to bait me, but I ignore it. Right now, he’s giving me information without knowing it.

“So, how do you and yourfollowersintend to break your master out of his little prison? I bet he’s lonely in there. How many nights do you think he’s cried himself to sleep?”

The amusement remains on his face, but his eyes darken in a way that lets me know that I touched a nerve.

“If only you knew the irony of those words.”

I catch a flicker of shadow in the background and barely make out one of Karius’s figures slipping behind Julian. His focus is entirely on me, unaware, so I keep him talking.

“You do love your riddles, don’t you?”

“You only call it a riddle because you do not yet see the lig—”