Page 83 of In The Dark

Her chuckle infiltrates my mind.“Did he tell you there was someone in Aurelia?”

“Is there not?”

She chuckles again, the sound almost filled with disbelief.“No, definitely not. Not after he got his?—”

Her words are suddenly interrupted by the guards echoing through the grates above us, leaving us to halt our walking. A musky dampness hangs in the air, reminding me of a wet cave as we stand in silence for a couple of minutes.

With a few slow breaths, I shoot her a glance when she nods toward the exit, and we quietly walk back to where we came, entering the castle from below. It’s getting late, meaning the guards that do shift changes in the archives are about to arrive at any moment.

Sneaking through the castle has been much easier with the ability to use the Veil, walking the darkened corridors, right past a few lingering guards posted on the corners of his private indoor garden. We quietly inch ourselves toward the front of the castle—toward the kitchens—careful not to disturb the air as we stride by.

“I think I’m done for the night,”I finally get out, eager to be left alone.“I’m quite tired.”

Not a complete lie, but I’m hoping she doesn’t question it as I quickly shoot a glance toward the king’s archives where the two original guards remain posted. I may have a little time left…

We turn the corner toward my stairwell before she finally answers.“We can pick back up tomorrow.”

“Perfect.”I give her a small grin.“See you tomorrow.”

Within seconds, she disappears, leaving me alone near the door to my stairwell and the door to the commons. A sudden burst of adrenaline shoots through me, sending my pulse to climb to my temples.

Yet for a few seconds, I hesitate, struggling with another decision. I remain in the shadows with an impulsive thought, my instinct pulling me toward the archives. But also a tug urging me to my room—to leave it be.

Then a flicker of light catches my attention, forcing me to shift my gaze to the door that leads to the commons. Someone in the brotherhood must be awake.

I find myself quickly stepping out of the Veil and pulling the sleeping hall door open, the commons brightly lit from the mantel near the back. My feet quietly thud against the stone, but just as I reach the end of the hall, Ezra steps around the corner.

“Ezra.” I exhale, quickly glancing around. “What are you doing awake?”

He’s fully dressed, clad with his fur cloak and thick boots. Clasping the cloak at his collarbone, he gives me a quick scan before throwing me a grin. “I just got back from a mission and couldn’t sleep.”

“I couldn’t sleep either. I was coming in for something to eat. Was there anything left from earlier?” I quickly lie, knowing he’s probably realized I’m fully dressed too, wondering why I’m lurking the halls this late.

“I was actually planning on going to Alvonia for a drink. Want to come? We could get something to eat while we’re there.” He throws out the offer.

I hesitate for a moment as the memory of Elion’s desk flashes across my mind, but Ezra’s warm grin and the way he’s looking down at me makes my resolve waver a fraction. And before I know it, I find myself throwing him a grin.

“Yes,” I say, following him out the door, through my stairwell toward the side of the castle near the rise. “Where was your mission this time?”

“Went to Arcan again. Apparently there’s been more Shadovar sneaking in,” he says, and I stiffen at the word.

I feel my heart race, knowing that I’m one of those Shadovar.He just doesn’t know. No one here knows, but what would he think of me if he did? I’m suddenly unsure if it would be something I could tell him at all, and the thought of not being able to causes my chest to ache. Our boots crunch against the gravel as we exit the rise of the castle, leaving us to raise our hoods to ward off the chill. He flicks his wrist, summoning an orb.

But even as we catch up on missions and walk toward Alvonia beneath the orb that glows above us, I can’t help the way my stomach sinks, knowing I just ruined my plans for sneaking back into the king’s archives.

I’m dreaming.

I know this just by the way I’m looking down at myself, tossing and turning in bed as a cold sweat beads across my forehead. No fire roars in the mantel as the full moon casts pale streaks of light across my face. My brows pinch.

I’m pulled deeper and deeper into the depths of sleep as I watch myself, and it’s odd. I know I’m asleep, yet I can’t seem to wake up.

My body hums, the sensation building and consuming me as tingles slowly spread across my skin like static in the air. The warmth radiates behind my eyes, causing my breath to quicken.

I’m suddenly thrust from my room in a chaotic whirl of movement, my surroundings shifting so fast I can hardly comprehend it. Then I’m standing in a dark, unfamiliar chamber.

The distant sound of wind whirling against the windows sends a shiver down my spine, and within seconds, I know exactly where I’ve ended up. Because I’ve been here before—in my dreams.

My heart pounds against my ribs as a chilling realization washes over me. It’s always the same dream.