Page 39 of Ringmaster

He nods, glowering at me.

“Well then, sign it and be gone with you both. Our business here is done.”

I dip the quill into the blood and sign my name. Magic flares, ancient and binding, as Mercy’s soul becomes tethered to mine. She’s mine now—to protect, and to love, for all eternity.

At the Ringmaster’s dismissal, I dip Mercy’s finger into the blood and press a perfect print to the bottom of the page. Then I repeat the process with my own, placing it beside hers.

I close the book, then scoop Mercy into my arms and carry her back to the barn. I’ll summon Sylis to fetch Zora, and together we’ll unfreeze the town. Inside the barn, I lay her gently on a soft pile of hay.

“Keep her safe until I return,” I tell Marblas.

He winks in understanding and lies down beside her protectively. I close my eyes and step into the darkness—off to find Sylis.

Chapter 23

Mercy

Snarls—deep, guttural, terrifying—alert me to something amiss. I blink a few times, trying to make sense of where I am. It’s dark, save for slivers of moonlight pouring through the barn windows where the Ringmaster found us earlier. I sit up on my elbows, squinting through the shadows—only to find myself nose-to-nose with a pair of gleaming glacier-blue eyes, and a creamy, fuzzy mane. He stares at me gently, almost apologetically, as if sorry to have woken me. I can’t look away, mesmerized by the soft pink of his nose outlined in crisp black and the stark white of his whiskers. Entranced, I reach out and brush my fingers along the silky warmth of his mane.

To my surprise, he nuzzles into my touch. Relief pours over me, and in my mind, a reassuring voice whispers,Don’t be afraid, it’s Azrael who approaches.

I rip my hand back to my chest, scooting away from the lion. “Did you just... speak to me?”

A flicker of amusement dances across the lion’s face as he winks.We’re all connected now. You’ll get used to it, silly human.

Before I can respond, the barn door creaks open, and my gaze flicks to Azrael. Have I never noticed how the shadows wrap around him, following his every move? I drag my gaze higher, pausing at his chiseled jawline.

Azrael clears his throat. “I see you met Marblas. I hope he didn’t scare you with his thoughts.”

My mouth gapes open. “You mean I’m not crazy and the lion actually spoke to me?”

Marblas huffs dryly.Her heart was racing. I only reassured her.

“Because your growling woke me,” I grumble, earning a wry smile from Azrael.

Amusement stirs in his eyes. “Were you afraid, Marblas?”

Marblas chuffs.Heavens no. Me, afraid? I should think not. I was only following your orders. It was a warning growl.The girl needed to be ready—in case it was someone else’s footsteps I heard approaching.He tosses his mane.If you wanted her to remain sleeping, you should have walked quietly.

“Don’t get all cranky with me, you big scaredy-cat,” Azrael teases.

“For what it’s worth, I think you’re a very honorable and brave lion.”

The lion’s lips pull into a smug smile.Did you hear that?

“Don’t feed his ego, Mercy. It’s big enough,” Azrael says.

I roll my eyes as Azrael motions for me to come to him.

“Now that you’re awake, how are you feeling?” he asks, watching me carefully.

My body answers before I can. I try to stand but falter, weak and dizzy. Marblas steadies me before I collapse.

She’s drained her powers. You really did a number on her,Marblas scolds.

Azrael’s head drops. “It was difficult to stop.”

Hmph,is all Marblas replies.