Page 37 of Bartered by the Shadow Prince (Bargain with the Shadow Prince #3)

“Yes. That’s right. I can’t manipulate the elements directly. Not how my parents could.”

“And you had an anchor…something that connected you to them, so that you could access their power without actually descending into the underworld each time.”

“Yes. It was the grandfather clock in my old house, and then I moved it to Phantom, my pet fox, so that they could come with me anywhere. They traveled here through the symbol I created to transport us from Earth to Tenebris. I was holding them in my arms. And when we landed, they were just gone. I haven’t been able to use my power since. ”

He puffs on his pipe, seeming to contemplate this, when I remember something.

“Actually, that’s not true. My power worked briefly in a cemetery in Stygarde. I was able to see the ghost of Damien’s father.”

“And what were you doing right before you were able to see that ghost?”

“I’d just made a sacrifice to Thanesia, thanking her for her help and protection.”

He groans low and deep in his throat.

“What?” I ask, dreading his answer.

“At first, I thought perhaps your trouble started because you were turned?—”

“No. I could call Phantom after that. I could still see the fox, even if I couldn’t hear or connect to them like before.”

“Oh dear,” Nathaniel says, drawing on his pipe once more around a pronounced frown.

“Nathaniel, I want you to know I appreciate you helping me tonight, but I think I’m going to lose it if you don’t get to the point.”

“Yes, yes, of course.” He waves the pipe in the air.

“To reach Tenebris from Earth, you had to pass through the underworld. That’s how your spirit magic works.

You tap into the underworld either directly or through an anchor and draw power.

When you came here, from Earth to Tenebris, you drew on the portion of the underworld associated with Earth.

But when you arrived in Tenebris, you had to pass through Thanesia’s Darklands, the portion of the underworld associated with Tenebris. ”

“What?” Now I’m completely lost. “But isn’t the underworld the underworld?”

He laughs. “There are more layers and dimensions associated with the underworld than we could explore in our very long lifetimes, Eloise. And you passed through one guarded by a vengeful guardian goddess who could not stop you, as a member of the undead, from slipping through—but absolutely could slam the door on the souls you brought with you. You offered her no sacrifice. You never begged her forgiveness. I believe the reason you can’t access your power is because Thanesia closed the door after you when you came through.

The reason you can’t connect to your ancestors is that they are now her guests in the Darklands. ”

All at once, I remember the feeling of Phantom being ripped from my arms the second before Damien and I crashed into the garden and the way the night had slammed down like a door between Malek and me in the cemetery.

Oh my goddess, I’ve made a huge mistake and offended the one deity that I’ve learned means the most to the people of Stygarde!

I rub my eyes with the heels of my palms, one of the few parts of me not covered in blood since my hands were manacled above my head. I suddenly feel exhausted again. “How do I make it right? Bigger sacrifice or something?”

He snorts. “Sacrifices are made in exchange for moving a single soul through the door to the Darklands. You want her to open the thing wide and allow your ancestors through. She’s going to require more of you than a simple sacrifice.”

“Then what?” I laugh under my breath. What else could she want from me?

He rubs the back of his head, wincing, then slowly reaches into the inner pocket of his suit jacket.

“I have a theory, but let’s ask the cards, just to be sure.

” The tarot deck in his hand gets plenty of use, based on the worn edges.

Lowering himself to the floor, he shuffles and deals a spread.

I kneel down across from him, watching the cards fall: the chariot, the devil, nine of wands, five of wands, the star, the world, the emperor.

He stares and stares at the spread, his eyes losing focus.

“Well?”

“I’m sorry. There’s no other way than to face Thanesia directly, beg her forgiveness, and ask her for her help.”

I snort. “Thanesia is a goddess. How do I directly face her?”

He clears his throat. “You’ll have to die.”

“Excuse me?”

“Temporarily, of course. I have some experience with this. Had to tether my brother while he explored the underworld once. It is possible.”

“You’ve done it before?”

“The tethering, yes. The actual descending, no. But, it’s possible. The folklore here speaks of a shadowpath, a road that leads to the goddess and her door. If you descend to the underworld and walk the shadowpath, you will find her, and she may grant your request.”

“I have to die and stay dead long enough to walk… How long is this shadowpath?”

He shrugs. “One thing I do know is that she adores warriors. If you show her you’re brave and rise to whatever challenge she lays before you, you will likely be rewarded with access to your ancestors.”

“You make it sound so simple.”

A male scream turns both our faces toward the door.

“I’m afraid our time together grows short, Eloise. As I mentioned, I’m not supposed to be here. But the witches on this planet are extremely powerful, and they will help you if you ask.”

“Oh, sure. All I have to do is ask some strange witch to usher me into the Darklands so I can beseech a goddess to free my ancestors. What could go wrong?”

More yelling comes from the hall, this time closer. A thump from the hallway rattles the walls. Nathaniel sweeps the tarot cards from the floor, his nostrils flaring. “Good news. I believe your rescue has arrived.”

“My rescue?”

He returns the cards to his pocket. Two puffs on his pipe, and he blows a smoke ring that gets bigger and bigger. Symbols form around the edges as it hangs in the air. “If anyone asks you, I was never here. Paragon has no interest in warring with the elves of Tenebris.”

“Wait! I have so many questions! What if I need you? How do I find you?”

He looks at me and gives a shallow smile.

“I’m afraid you can’t, darling. I wish I could stay for you, but this is not my world, and in my position, I’m not even supposed to be here.

But I can smell your power in this bloody room, Eloise, and if you’re anything like your parents, you will figure this out. ”

He spreads his hands, and my eyes widen as a portal opens in the ring of smoke.

“Please, can’t you tell me anything more? You’re my only link to my parents.”

He shakes his head. “I am not that link. The link you have to them, have always had to them, is still there. It’s simply blocked. Your only hope to fix what ails you is Thanesia.”

I huff. “Great. So all I need to do is find a witch who will help me die, stay dead long enough to walk some road that will likely hold who knows what sorts of challenges, and convince a goddess to reconnect me with my magic.”

He smiles brightly, his brows lifting. “Brilliant! You’ve got this. You’ve got the blood of a dragon after all.”

The sounds of fighting in the hall grow louder. Nathaniel bows his head and steps through the portal. With a wave of his hand, he closes it behind him.

Boom . I duck as the door flies in and skids across the floor. Damien steps into the room, an enormous broadsword in his hands, horror overcoming his features as he registers the blood in every corner of the room. The blood that covers me.

I reach for him. His shadows wrap around me, and then he lifts me into his arms. I grip his neck, and he runs.