Page 28 of Duskbound (Esprithean Trilogy #2)

CHAPTER TWENTY-SEVEN

Urkin's office felt smaller with all of us crowded inside. The other initiates and I stood before his obsidian desk while the rest of the Spectre unit lined the walls. Maps covered every surface, their edges curling from constant handling, while reports lay scattered across his desk, unreadable from where I stood.

"Three days," Urkin said, his voice tight with carefully controlled anger. "Three days since Valkan disappeared, and not a single noble house has heard from him." His fingers drummed against a letter bearing the Skaldvindr seal. "Though some have made their positions quite clear."

He turned his attention to me then, his expression shifting into something less hostile, though no warmer. "And we've managed to find a true Duskbound. The first in centuries to be born of common blood." The words seemed stilted. "And to a foreign-born, no less." I could almost catch the lingering disdain in his tone. He sighed, as if to calm himself. "Your emergence from the Void was... impressive."

The compliment felt strange coming from him, especially given our previous interactions. But before I could respond, he was already moving on.

"The Skaldvindrs withdrew their support the moment he fled," Effie offered. "The others followed within hours."

"Like rats abandoning a sinking ship," Vexa muttered from her place near the wall.

"And what of his men?" Urkin's eyes swept over our group. "Any sightings?"

"None," Aether said. "They vanished with him."

"Probably still crawling back to Draxon," Theron threw in.

"He's lost the support of the Council, but don't underestimate the will of his subjects. This is still a tense situation. And I would believe the events that happened outside the Void have only stoked his anger further."

The implications of that hung heavy in the air. My stomach turned at the memory of those milky eyes, that unnatural grace.

"What about Kenna?" Mira asked. "Will there be consequences for what he did to her?"

The room went deathly still. Urkin's face twisted with disgust, but when he spoke, his voice was measured.

"Without proof, there's nothing we can do."

"Nothing?" My voice came out like a blade. "He emerged from the Void with blood on his mouth, and Kenna never came out. What more proof do you need?"

"Careful," Urkin's tone dropped dangerously low. "You don't understand the delicacy of this situation."

"Then explain it to me."

Several of the Spectres shifted uncomfortably. But Urkin just stared at me, his jaw working as if physically restraining himself.

"We are trying," he finally ground out, "to prevent a civil war. Valkan's influence runs deeper than you know. His followers are fanatics. One accusation—one hint of persecution—and half the realm would rise up." He stood, palms flat against his desk. "Is that what you want? More death? More chaos? While Sídhe continues to drain what little essence we have left?"

The mention of Sídhe sparked something in his eyes. "Speaking of which," he straightened, switching topics with practiced efficiency, "it's been nearly two months since our last mission. The drought spreads while we sit here debating politics."

"Actually," I stepped forward, seizing the opening. "I've been thinking about that. What if I could speak with the leadership within the Guard? Try to make them understand?—"

A harsh laugh cut me off. "Make them understand?" Urkin's voice dripped with mockery. "You think you can just walk up to the border and have a friendly chat about how they're draining us?"

"You don't understand. The masses in the Guard don't even know that you're people. They're told you're monsters filtering in from another world, bound and determined to destroy the arcanite stores and send the realm into a death age."

" Poetic ," Vexa grumbled.

Urkin paced behind his desk. "That matters little to me. Our soldiers stay in their spectre-forms to protect themselves. Revealing what they truly are will only leave them vulnerable. More will die."

"You're just helping Sídhe's lies then," I said and I thought Urkin's eyes might explode from his head.

"I've served this realm for thirty years. Do not think, for one second, little girl, that you can come in here and command me. That you have any idea how to wage war."

"I went into this with the agreement that we would consider alternative solutions."

" I made no such agreement with you," he spat.

My eyes shot to Aether, then Vexa, silently pleading for backup. They had promised.

Vexa stepped forward, her voice tempered. "She has intimate knowledge of their military structure, their leadership. That kind of insight could be invaluable."

"She has knowledge of their Guard ," Aether added, his golden eyes fixed on Urkin. "And their decision-makers. A perspective we've never had access to before."

"She's no use to me if she's not supplying my troops with shadows," Urkin snapped.

"I've already told you," I fought to keep my voice steady, "I will not aid you in attacking Sídhe without considering other options first."

Urkin's laugh was cold. "You simple girl. Do you think that's all the shadows do? That we simply use them as weapons?" He sighed, exasperation clear in every line of his face. "They serve far greater purposes than that."

"The shadows allow us to gather intelligence," Rethlyn cut in, stepping away from the wall. "Most of our work involves collecting information without detection. Moving unseen through their territory."

"They've already increased the Guard on the Western border," I said, the words tumbling out before I could stop them. A heavy silence fell over the room.

"And how exactly would you know that?" Aether's voice carried an odd note of curiosity.

"Because that's what Laryk—" I caught myself. "What the Generals would do."

"But why would you think that?" Aether pressed. "We haven't crossed the rip in months."

"Because you took me ."

"Are you really that self-important?" Urkin's tone dripped with disdain.

I felt Vexa's glare from across the desk. She mouthed a harsh no , and I realized too late the dangerous territory I'd wandered into. Not just nearly revealing my first-hand knowledge of Laryk's intentions I saw through Mercer's eyes, but also verging on admitting my rather intimate relationship with a Sídhe General.

"I'm providing you with valuable information," I redirected quickly. "Is that not what you want?"

Urkin pinched the bridge of his nose, a vein pulsing in his temple. "You want to prove your worth? Fine. But first, you will complete the void-letting. Today. These recruits need to begin their training, and they cannot do that without shadows." His eyes narrowed. "Complete the ceremony now, and I'll give you one week to present an alternative plan. After that, we proceed how I see fit."

The weight of his demand settled in my gut.

"The void-letting ceremony—" I started, but Urkin was already striding toward the door.

"Now," he barked over his shoulder. "All of you."

Vexa stepped forward first, exchanging glances with Aether. "Come on," she said, motioning for us to follow. "Let's just get it over with, Fia."

They led our group deeper into the Citadel, down winding passages of obsidian carved stone. The walls seemed to press closer here, the flames from torches warming my skin. Finally, we entered a circular chamber that made my steps falter.

In the center stood what looked like some kind of raised platform with jilted edges. Channels had been carved into the floor, leading to the contraption like veins to a heart.

"This," Effie gestured with a flourish that seemed at odds with the ominous machinery, "is where the magic happens."

"It looks more like some form of antiquated torture device," Mira muttered, her eyes tracing the sharp angles of black metal.

"Have you managed to conjure any shadows yet?" Effie asked me, ignoring Mira's comment. "Since emerging from the Void?"

The question caught me off guard. I hadn't even tried .

"So this is how you share the shadows?" Lael stepped closer, fascination clear on his young face.

"More or less," Rethlyn said. "The channels help direct the flow, make it more... controlled." He gestured to the intricate patterns carved into the floor. "Otherwise it can get a bit..."

Theron's gaze swept over the machinery, eyes narrowing. "And this works better than direct transfer? I've read they can be shared through skin contact."

"It can work in a pinch." Vexa smirked. "However, direct contact through the skin is not recommended."

Effie bit back a laugh.

I was just about to ask what joke we weren't clued in on before Mira spoke up.

"So how exactly does it work?" she asked, moving closer to examine one of the channels. Her usual haunted expression had given way to genuine curiosity.

"The shadows flow through these pathways," Effie explained, tracing the intricate patterns with her finger. "Each channel leads to a different point where a vessel can receive them. The runes help control the flow, make the connection stronger."

"I've been working on forging a portable version," Vexa added. "But for now, this is the most reliable method."

"You'll understand more once the process starts." Aether's voice came from the shadows near the wall. "Fia, take the center. The rest of you, position yourselves at the connection points."

My heart thundered as I stepped onto the platform.

"The void burns act like pathways," Vexa explained as the others moved into position. "They're marks from the Void itself—permanent channels that allow vessels to absorb and hold the shadows. Once they are absorbed, you will be able to wield them."

Metal restraints clicked softly as they locked into place around the recruits' wrists. Lael's eyes were wide with anticipation, while Theron maintained his analytical calm. Mira's face had gone carefully blank.

"How many can you do at once?" Lael asked, his voice betraying his nerves.

"Six," Rethlyn answered. "Any more and the connection becomes unstable."

I eyed the contraption warily. The metal seemed to drink in what little light reached this deep into the Citadel, and something about those channels made my skin prickle. "What do I need to do?"

"Just stand in the center," Rethlyn said, gesturing to a circular platform. "And try calling the shadows. They should respond naturally."

"Should?" Theron asked, arching an eyebrow.

"The Void left its instructions." Aether's voice came from the shadows near the wall. "They're written into her now, whether she realizes it or not."

I stepped onto the platform, trying to ignore how everyone's attention was fixed on me. The metal felt cold beneath my boots.

"Just like that?" I asked. "Just... call them?"

"You'll know what to do," Vexa said softly. "Trust yourself."

I closed my eyes, expecting to have to search for the shadows like I did with my web. But the moment I opened myself to them, they surged forward eagerly, as if they'd been waiting all this time. Dark tendrils spilled from my skin, flowing like liquid night into the channels at my feet.

"Esprithe," Lael breathed.

My eyes shot down to find the entire contraption alive, the symbols seeming to pulse as the shadows touched them. They moved through the pathways with purpose, filling each groove until the floor looked like a maze of flowing darkness.

"Well…" Vexa grinned. "Looks like someone's a natural. "

"Can you feel them?" Mira asked. "The shadows, I mean. Do they... respond to you?"

I nodded, unable to find the right words to explain how natural it felt. Like flexing a muscle I hadn't known I had.

"How long will they last?" Mira asked as the shadows began reaching for her burns.

"Depends on how much you use them," Vexa said. "Some can last weeks—months even. But only with this method. The runes allow for full absorption. A direct transfer might only last a day or two."

"The last time the Queen performed a letting, it was quite potent, so the ones we retain have lasted a while. Which is a blessing, truly. With her being in such a delicate position, I think it became clear she wouldn't be able to keep doing this," Rethlyn added in slowly, shooting me a grin. "And now she doesn't have to."

I watched as my shadows found each recruit in turn, seeping into their skin through the marks the Void had left. Theron's breath became heavy, fingers curling against the restraints. Mira's eyes widened as the darkness followed the patterns of her burns. When they reached Lael, he let out a small gasp.

"It feels..." he started, then stopped, unable to find the words.

"Familiar," Mira finished quietly.

The shadows continued flowing until all three had received their share. After a few moments, the dark river ceased, sitting now like a pool across the chamber floor. The restraints clicked open, allowing the recruits to stumble back, examining their arms where the burns seemed darker now, more alive.

"Well," Vexa said, stepping up to one of the remaining connection points. "Might as well top off while we're here." She settled into position, the metal restraints clicking softly around her wrists.

"Vexa," I chided.

"Relax, Fia. I'm not about to fly out to the rip and go on some murder spree." The darkness flowed into her burns as she spoke, and her head tilted back, eyes closing. "Wow… those are divine," she said, as if absorbing some form of magical narcotic.

I couldn't help but roll my eyes.

"And that's it?" Mira asked, leaning closer to examine Vexa's arms where the shadows had vanished.

"That's it." Vexa flexed her fingers as the restraints released. "Simple, really."

I stepped down from the platform, feeling oddly drained. Not physically—the shadows hadn't taken anything from me. But watching them flow into others, knowing they would use them for whatever came next... it felt heavier than I'd expected.

Lael was already experimenting, small wisps of darkness curling around his fingers. Theron studied his arms with analytical interest, while Mira stood very still, as if adjusting to the new sensation.

"When do we start Spectre training?" Lael asked, a gleam in his eye.

"Rethlyn will begin with you tomorrow, bright and early," Vexa said, "Well, not bright, I guess. But early."

Rethlyn nodded. "Lael, Mira, and Theron. We'll meet in the courtyard."

"What about me?" I asked.

"You won't benefit from this type of training, Duskbound. It'll come to you with time. As Aether said before, it left instructions within you," Vexa responded, eyes now fully consumed by black inky swirls.

One week. I had one week to figure out how to stop a war, or these shadows—my shadows—would be used for unimaginable destruction. The weight of that responsibility settled over me as I watched darkness dance across my fellow recruits' skin.