Page 20

Chapter 20

The wraith growled, sucking what it could from Threnody’s body. It thought her stronger, but she languished in bed, with barely enough essence for a full meal, damn her. But it needed every drop if it wanted to see Rowan again. It needed to touch him, feel him, taste of his flesh. Rowan had given up so easily, submitted to his sorrow. It had been so close to pulling him across the veil, then that damned satyr woke him.

Since then, Rowan had slid further and further out of its reach, blocking it from his mind with thoughts of the satyr. That stupid beast would pay for stealing its prize. As soon as it regained itself it would torment that male to his death.

It sunk teeth deeper into Threnody. The witch clutched her forehead with a pain filled groan before curling under her blanket in a puddle of tears. “If you don’t break those wards all will be lost,”it whispered to Threnody. “Aster died in vain.”Threnody gritted her teeth as it drank her tears.

Judith entered, meeting Threnody’s sickly pallor with indifference. “Still in bed?”

“Altitude sickness,” Threnody grumbled.

“For this long? It’s been days.” Judith sighed. “You’re not well. I’m taking over.”

“I’m fine.” Threnody snapped.

Another sigh sent a surge of Threnody’s fury into its mouth. “You’re not strong enough to do any casting. This mission is now mine.”

Threnody threw her blankets aside. Thunder shook the roof as she leapt to her feet and stormed towards Judith. “You’re not taking this from me!”

“Mother would not be pleased if you botched this mission. You’re staying here.”

Threnody’s eyes darkened. She grabbed Judith by the sweater. “I’m doing this, with or without you.”

Judith’s face was a blank canvas, her eyes steady. “Very well. But I won’t hesitate to-”

“I know you won’t.” Threnody pushed her away. “Just give me time to recover.”

But there was no more time. If those wards weren’t broken soon, the wraith would wither to dust. It’d have to find another host, one far more powerful than this husk it clung to. Where am I supposed to find that? It had already tried Judith, but she was nothing but a bitter void that burned its tongue. If I can get my hands on that gargoyle...

The King of Shadows would be a perfect host. He was strong. He could restore it, bring it back to its former glory. It yanked free of Threnody, silvery wisps dripping from its claws. It could wait no longer. Now was the time to catch the gargoyle.

Threnody’s eyes rolled back, and she collapsed, convulsing wildly from the shock. “Sister?!” Judith knelt beside her, guarding her thrashing head as foam dripped from her slack mouth.

Judith’s hand lit with magic, and she pressed it to Threnody’s temple the other digging into her skirt pocket for her phone. She punched a button waited for a murmur on the other side before growling, “We have a problem.”

Damn it all, it had fed too deep. Now it couldn’t return if its plan failed. Threnody would probably be dead by then. Well, it would just have to succeed then.

With the last of its strength, it soared up the chimney, falling on the roof to regain itself. Dusk was settling, orange and indigo clouds blanketing the sky. It watched the horizon, waiting for that familiar shadow. Every second of waiting made it ache with fatigue. Rowan is mine! I will have him!

The silhouette flew overhead. The King of Shadows returned. The wraith cackled in triumph as it leapt after him, slowing with every miserable throb of hunger. Its strength faded and it perched in a tree before it crashed into the snow. No! But the gargoyle flapped its wings, suddenly turning into a cluster of pines, settling in their branches. The wraith was afraid he would take off again but there he stayed, staring at the house’s roof, unmoving.

The wraith landed on the Gargoyle’s branch, crawling towards him. Power vibrated from his mighty form; grief, anger, sadness. It reached through his swirling shadows, fingers shaking as those waves of anguish tickled their tips. The power! So delicious!

The gargoyle shuddered as the wrath sunk in, his forlorn stare never leaving the house. I have to stop this madness, the gargoyle’s thoughts whispered. I can’t keep visiting her without her knowing. She is fine without me. She is safe. I must leave her be. But he didn’t fly away only kept watching, his angst rising as the name Aster echoed inside his mind. Aster.

The wraith swelled, eyes glowing bright, sharp teeth growing long. It dug through the gargoyle’s fog, stabbing its jaws through his skull. “But she’s not safe,” it said.

The gargoyle tensed, suddenly standing alert, mind whirling in a barrage of panic. “No,” he muttered. ”No, she’s with her family. She is safe!”

“You think so, you fool? Right now, her enemies are near, wanting to claim her!” The gargoyle’s rage rose like a tsunami as the wraith continued. “She will die if you don’t cross the wards and save her! Go now!”

The gargoyle launched itself towards the house like a shot gun, the wraith blanketed tight around his massive form. The ward barrier growing closer. The air around them rippled and the wraith inhaled the gargoyle’s essence. A thousand blades tore through its flesh, magic fighting to keep it out but the wraith kept its grip, drinking deep as they passed through. The agony vanished. Its power remained. No, it was stronger now, the King of Shadows’ magic now mingling with its own.

The sweet scent of Rowan filled the air. He was here for the taking and with all that force coursing through the wraith’s veins, not even his satyr could stop him.