Page 26 of Ringmaster (The Kingdom of Shadow & Bone #1)

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.

I run my fingers through his fur again, the warmth of his magic tingling against my touch.

“Can you heal her?” Azrael asks, looking between us.

Yes. I already am.

“Good. Then you’ll carry her,” Azrael instructs. “I’ll keep us cloaked in case anyone else was unaffected.”

I look at Azrael skeptically. “So… am I to understand the lion is going to carry me?”

“No,” Azrael scoffs. “You’ll ride him. He’s your protector now. Because you’re mine, Mercy. And I won’t let anything happen to you ever again.”

How wrong I was to judge him. He’s loved me all this time, sacrificing his happiness to keep me safe from a danger I still don’t fully understand.

A deep, throaty growl rumbles beneath my hands where I cling to Marblas. Someone is coming, he warns.

“Zora,” Azrael whispers. “She’s coming along to help.”

A few moments later, Zora strolls through the barn door. She smiles at me before turning to Azrael. “Are we ready to depart?”

He nods.

“Mercy, let me help you onto Marblas,” Azrael says, stepping forward to scoop me into his arms and place me gently on the lion’s back.

“Is it okay if I hold on to your mane?” I ask.

Yes, Mercy. Hold on to my mane and close your eyes. You must rest while I replenish your strength as much as possible. His reply is soft, barely a whisper in my mind, but I lay against him, already drifting away.

Azrael’s lips brush my cheek. It’s the last thing I feel before the world fades—soft, dark, and still. I float in and out of sleep as we make our way through town.

When we reach the garden, I rouse, feeling strangely restored. Patting Marblas’s muscular shoulder, I whisper, “Thank you.”

His ear flicks down in recognition right before I hear his voice. You belong to us now. I’ll always be here to help you. All you have to do is reach out and call to me.

A shiver ripples through me, goosebumps rising across my arms. You belong to us.

Azrael and the lion keep repeating that phrase.

It feels like it means more than they’re letting on.

But there’s no time to dwell on it. Zora and Azrael are discussing a strategy, arguing over the best way to restore order to the town.

I clear my throat, and Azrael is by my side before I have time to blink.

“How did–” I start, but he silences me with a gentle brush of his finger over my lips.

“Are you well?” he asks, voice breathless, concern lacing every word.

“I think so. How–” Again, he stops me.

“Another day, my angel.” His fingers trace my jawline with a feathery-soft touch. “Do you think you can take us inside if I help you down?”

I glance from Azrael to Marblas, then down to where my knees rest behind his furry shoulder blades.

The ground isn’t far. I could probably manage the climb myself.

But if Azrael wants to help me down, I’ll let him.

I can sense he feels terrible about everything that’s happened, like guilt is clinging to him just beneath the surface.

It sits heavy between us, a quiet weight in the dark.

My fingers drag slowly from Marblas’s silky mane.

I’m hesitant to leave him, afraid I’ll wake only to realize this has all been a dream.

His ear flicks in understanding as Azrael’s strong hands land on my waist, hoisting me from the lion’s back.

When he touches me, something ignites. Longing.

Hopelessness. Obsession. It pours through me, wave after wave.

I fall into him, breathing in the scent of emberleaf, mint, and spice. I never want to leave his arms. It feels so right. They feel safe, like home.

He kisses my cheek gently, his lips barely brushing against my skin. “Lead the way, before I decide to leave them frozen in time and steal you away.”

I sigh, enjoying our closeness for another moment, then look into his eyes. “You would break your promise?”

Azrael’s knuckles brush over my cheek, where his kiss still lingers. Heartache radiates from his touch, spreading over me slowly until it consumes my senses. Is my heart breaking, or am I feeling his emotions?

“Never, my angel. I would never break my promise to you.” He drops his hand gripping mine and giving it a squeeze. “Eventually, I’d return you, but only to keep our bargain, not because I’d want to.”

“But, Azrael–” He stops me from finishing my sentence.

“I won’t apologize for being selfish.” Azrael tugs my hand, urging me forward.

Ignoring the way I drag my feet, he pulls me to the door. Maybe he’s right to leave time frozen. Should I be mad about that? Am I upset for the wrong reasons? A deep sense of regret settles in my bones. And as if sensing my unease, Azrael’s thumb swipes over my hand in reassurance.

“Why are you hesitating?” he asks as we stand on the doorstep.

Embarrassed, I stare at the ground. “I’m not ready to say goodbye to Miriam. And I’m terrified of what he’ll do when he finds out my mother and I have both abandoned him. Azrael, what if he tries to take us back?”

“Don’t worry, Mercy. You’re mine now. You belong to me. And he’ll never be able to take you back. I won’t let him.” Azrael’s voice rasps against my ear. “Look at me. ”

I drag my gaze up to meet his reluctantly. All the while, my heart threatens to pound its way out of my chest. He cups my face in his warm, rough hands, the calluses grazing my cheeks. “I promise no one will ever take you from me. Do you understand?”

I nod, silently comprehending the depth of his promise.

He’s already told me once tonight he can’t break a promise.

This promise feels heavier. The weight of his words makes my heart beat even faster.

Shadows embrace me, wrapping their way around my body, filling me with the courage I need to twist the door handle open.

“Come in,” I say, inviting both Zora and Azrael inside.

I lead them through the small entryway, deeper into the house, allowing the tension to hang between us as we step into the kitchen where my parents remain exactly the way I left them hours ago.

My father’s face contorts with hatred as he stares at the spot where I should be.

His fists remain clenched. My muscles remember what my mind is trying to forget—how quickly his rage can flicker into violence.

Even now, frozen and powerless, my hands shake as I pass by him.

Once more, shadows snake around my body, soothing me with their touch.

I can’t bring myself to glance at my mother, too afraid of what I might see, and the fear in her eyes.

The room hums with energy as Zora waves her hand through the air. I can sense her pushing at the magic I created. She leans over to whisper in Azrael’s ear.

They whisper back and forth, moving around the room and sweeping their hands across surfaces as they discuss a solution.

“The magic is strong, but not permanent,” Zora finally declares. “We can fix this easily.”

Azrael nods in agreement. “Yes, I can hear the whispers of the counter spell. I could undo it, but I think it’s best if you practice using your magic—so you’re ready next time something unexpected happens.”

He slides an arm around me. “Close your eyes and listen to the magic, Mercy. Can you hear it whispering?”

I close my eyes and lean against him for support. “I feel energy, but I can’t hear anything, I confess.”

“That’s okay,” Azrael breathes. “You can sense it, and that’s a start.”

“Have her touch one of them and try again,” Zora encourages, studying me carefully.

I flinch but tug Azrael with me to lay a hand on my mother’s arm and close my eyes. Straining my ears for anything, I’m able to make out a whisper of something after a few seconds. “I don’t know what it’s saying. The sound is so faint, almost like it’s far away.”

Azrael beams at me proudly. “I knew you could do it. The more you practice, the easier it will be.”

“Your connections are impressive,” Zora adds with a smile.

“This will take a lot out of you because of earlier. We don’t know how close you are to burning out after freezing the town.” Azrael pauses.

I gulp nervously, hanging on to everything he’s explaining. “What will happen to me?”

“Zora will hold your hand while you work. Hopefully that keeps you from burning out.”

I interrupt him, alarmed. “Burning out? Are you sure this is safe?”

“Yes. I would never endanger you, Mercy.” he quietly declares.

“What do I need to do?”

“No magic yet,” Zora cuts in. “First, we need to clean up dinner. If your parents wake up to this mess and you’re asleep in bed, it’ll raise questions.”

I look at the meager dinner. Wasting food makes my stomach ache just thinking about it, but I know I don’t have a choice. I begin clearing the table of the dinner we never ate.

“Where should we leave them?” Azrael asks, motioning to my frozen parents.

“Put my father on the couch, and my mother in the bedroom. If he wakes up hungry and she’s nearby—” I shudder.

Azrael lifts my father with ease and deposits him on the couch. Zora follows me down the hall, carrying my mother. I tuck her into bed and close the door gently behind us.

Then I lead them both to my bedroom and shut the door.

“If you fall asleep, I’ll tuck you in, angel. This is good night. I promise I’ll check on you tomorrow,” Azrael whispers before kissing me and stepping away.

Zora moves in beside me, offering her hand as Azrael sulks off to the shadowy corner. He looks oddly out of place sitting in the rocking chair. I tear my eyes away from him and turn to her. “Tell me what I need to do.”

She nods. “I want you to call to your magic. Close your eyes and imagine something tangible.”

I do as she says, imagining a butterfly fluttering its wings—glowing in the darkness of my imagination.

“What are you imagining?” she asks.

“A butterfly, ” I answer.

“Describe it.”

“It’s purple and black, with flecks of lavender, and there’s a swirling, sparkling mist around it, ” I explain.

“Good,” Zora whispers. “Now I want you to reach for your magic. Pluck the butterfly out of your mind and hold it in your hand.”

As I reach for it, the butterfly’s wingbeats slow as it hovers in place, waiting for me. When I grasp it, a tingle of energy surges through my fingertips.

“Do you have it?” Zora’s voice is gentle, full of patience, like she’s guided many others summon their magic before.

I nod.

“When you’re ready, Mercy, imagine the world unfreezing. Will the magic to release the town from your hold. Give it permission to break,” she instructs.

“Okay.” My reply is barely audible. “Azrael,” I gasp.

“Yes, darling.”

“Promise you’ll come for me, and that this isn’t all a dream.” I beg.

“I swear to you, this is not a dream. You have to let go. Be brave and let go.” His voice is rough and growly, like it’s killing him to have this kind of restraint.

I take a deep breath and follow her instructions. I imagine everything she told me, then I whisper to the butterfly cupped between my hands, begging it to release the frozen town.

Nothing happens.

I shake my head in a panic. “Please work,” I plea to the butterfly. “Please help me.”

I watch as it shimmers, then begin to shrink, smaller and smaller, until it disappears completely into a dark oblivion of nothingness.

The air around me fizzles and pops. A surge of power roars through me.

My chest tightens. Whispers flood my ears, too many to decipher.

Everything glows for a moment in gold-veined white, and then it all goes black.

A loud pop echoes through the room as the ground beneath me.

I fall backward, but Azrael catches me before I hit the floor.

My eyes flutter open for a brief second—his face hovers above mine, blurry and close, holding me tightly in his arms.

Zora exhales sharply. “She did it. But she’s spent—”

And then, like the butterfly, I dissolve into nothing, losing consciousness.