Page 1 of Shifter’s Promise (Devourer of Magic)

Chapter

One

M ealtime—the most tense part of the day at this bastard’s manor. Anxiety thrummed through the air, Elherd’s slaves walking a tightrope of obedience. Who would be his target today? The maids? The busboy? One of his pets?

I couldn’t let it be me. Not again.

Taking deep, steadying breaths through my nose, I centered myself. With a dainty, silver tray in hand, I’d be summoned to his side at any moment. I couldn’t screw up unless I wanted a night in his torture chamber.

A shiver descended my spine, rattling the porcelain plate beneath the sterling cover. I held Elherd’s second course. At least I wasn’t first.

Guilt panged, my heart constricting. I shot a glance at my fellow beastkin, Fauren, standing next to me. Her skin had paled, eyes wide like saucers. No more than twelve years old, she reminded me of the sister I’d been taken from .

“Lord Elherd,” the butler greeted.

I straightened faster than a whip’s crack.

The elven lord sauntered through the massive double doors on one side of the great dining room.

His long, silver hair billowed behind him, blue gaze sharp and unrelenting.

He stopped next to the high-backed chair at the end of the elegant table.

That piercing gaze swept over us one by one.

From the guards in silver armor lining one wall, to the beastkin slaves he called maids on the other. None of us were safe.

The jingle of metal pulled my attention for a split second. Long enough to find a leashed ice wolf boy with white hair at the lord’s side. My gut twisted like it did every time I saw his favorite pets.

Cruel bastard .

I ground my teeth to halt the trembling of my hands. Fauren’s dish tinkled next to me. Her hands, not quite as steady.

I had to risk it.

Swallowing thickly, I eyed the small feline shifter in my periphery.

“Deep breaths,” I whispered.

The maid on my other side, Nani, inhaled sharply. She knew as well as I the punishment for disobeying orders. We slaves weren’t meant to be heard. Rarely even seen.

Fauren’s breath stuttered, but the clink of dishware stopped. I sighed in relief. Whatever target Elherd picked today, I wouldn’t let it be her. I couldn’t do anything for the wolf pets, but I would help my fellow maids. Even if it meant falling on the sword myself.

“First course.” Elherd’s voice rang through the grand hall.

I held my breath as Nani left her station. Practiced strides took her to the lord’s side. She placed the dish in front of him, removing the lid with a flourish. When she wasn’t immediately struck to the floor, I exhaled. She returned to my side, shaking like a leaf.

Good work , I silently praised.

A few minutes later, his voice rang again. “Second course.”

My turn. I took a deep breath through my nose before striding across the marble floor. My knuckles whitened around the tray handles. I refused to drop it. Sweat slicked my spine, nausea rolling through my stomach.

You can do this, Twinlin .

The floral scent of the elf hit my nose. I held my breath once again. More gently than I’d pet a newborn kitten, I set the tray on the table—the previous dishes, already taken by a busboy. I removed the lid and quickly stepped back. Only at his barely discernible nod, did I retreat.

My heart pounded as I slid back in line with my fellow beastkin. Thank the gods . I didn’t screw up.

Nani’s fingers tapped the back of my hand. I caught her slight smile before she faced forward once more. These were the only comforts we could offer each other. Small touches and the ghost of a smile. They calmed my racing pulse .

The second course lasted a bit longer. I hadn’t bothered to check what the meals contained. It wasn’t like we’d be offered similar luxuries. I was too busy fending for my life anyway.

It wasn’t until the clink of Elherd’s utensils ceased that my anxiety thrummed with newfound force. Fauren was next.

I tried to shoot her a reassuring smile, but her gaze stared dutifully ahead.

A crash cut through the stillness of the grand hall. My heart stopped. Eyes wide, I found the busboy on his knees, a shattered plate in his outstretched hands.

“I-I’m so sorry, my lord!” he cried.

Bowing and pleading for mercy—it was no use.

“Useless.” Elherd sighed. His hand snapped out, backhanding the busboy.

“Please, my lord! I can do better!”

“That remains to be seen.” Elherd raised a hand, fingers twitching to call the guard—sealing his fate.

I winced, averting my gaze as several guards thundered across the dining room. They ignored the boy’s pleas. The metal of their gauntlets thunked against him until his cries stopped. Only then did they drag him from the room.

“Third course.” Not an ounce of emotion reflected in the lord’s cold voice.

My fingers fisted, hands shaking. One day it’ll be you who begs . That I promised.

The rest of breakfast went off without a hitch. Fauren made it through her delivery. The new busboy didn’t drop a thing. Finally, we were freed for the rest of our duties. We rushed from the room the second Elherd disappeared. Lingering only meant attention from the malicious guards.

Returning to our daily tasks, I paired with Fauren to take the third floor hallway.

“You did well today,” I complimented. It wasn’t my personal duty to raise this child, but between myself and the other adults, we’d made it our mission to protect the children.

Her cheeks pinked, eyes rounding like a puppy’s. “Thank you, Twin.”

I ruffled her hair. “Why don’t we do this quickly and head back to the kitchen? I bet Chef can spare a bread bun or two.”

Her eyes widened impossibly larger. “Really?”

I grinned. “Really.”

Her face lit up. She swung in a circle, dancing with the mop handle. “Let’s hurry!”

I agreed, setting the heavy bucket of water to the side so we could get started.

It wasn’t ten minutes into our cleaning that the clank of armor reverberated down the hallway. Shit . Guards.

“Stay behind me.” I grabbed Fauren’s arm, pulling her to the meagre safety my body could provide.

“What’s this?” The guard’s slimy voice slid across my skin like oil. Ew .

I bowed my head despite all of my instincts screaming not to cow.

“Cleaning, sir,” I said.

I tried to make my voice as emotionless as possible. But somehow, they always found fault.

“Did I give you permission to speak?”

Pain seared my cheek from the guard’s oppressive hand. I bit my tongue on a gasp. My weak knees gave out beneath me. Traitors . I crashed onto the slick floor, a growl rising in my throat.

“Shut up, beast bitch.” His foot collided with my ribs. Air spilled from my lungs.

“Stop it!” Fauren cried, leaping in front of me.

My eyes widened as the guard’s hand rose. Not her!

“I told you to stay back,” I ground out between my teeth. I took her arm, twisting to put myself between the small girl and danger.

Bracing myself, I slammed my eyes shut and held Fauren tightly, shielding her from the violence of Elherd’s manor. These fucking elves .

But the blow never came.

A crash shook the floors and rattled the paintings clinging to the pristine floral wallpaper. My eyes widened as shouts rang through the manor.

What’s going on?

Eyes wild, I peered over my shoulder. The asshole guard wasn’t looking at us anymore. He tore down the hallway, heavy footfalls tinkling the displayed crystal as he stormed passed.

“What was that?” Fauren whispered, her entire body trembling in my arms .

I swallowed thickly, heart racing with adrenaline while my mind conjured endless possibilities.

“I don’t know,” I finally settled on. “But I’ll find out, don’t worry.” With a twisted grin that hid my fear and pain, I slid my confident mask on. I had to keep it together for the kids. It was all I could do now.

All I had done for years.

Fauren nodded as if expecting my response. “Okay. I’ll go find Nani.”

“Good. You do that, little one.” I patted her head.

I waited until Fauren scurried down the hall to the servants’ staircase hidden at the far end. Gods forbid the elven lord share with the help . I barely restrained a roll of my eyes. Letting the haughty, fake smile drop, I rolled my shoulders and stalked after the guard.

Dozens of elves protected Elherd’s manor. When they weren’t protecting the lord, they kept slaves in check, doling out punishment on behalf of the madame who oversaw the staff. Gods, did she have it out for unruly beastkin like me.

My rueful grin pulled at the bruise forming on my cheek. I winced. At least he hadn’t broken my nose or split my lip this time. They took longer to heal. The bruise would be gone by tomorrow. Shifter healing has its perks.

Another crash stilled my movement. I peered over the top of the staircase.

From the third-floor, I couldn’t see the foyer.

The violent clash of metal and squelch of blood told me something wonderful or terrible was happening a couple floors below.

Eyes widening with a mix of intrigue and sick delight, I descended the steps to the second floor, not making a sound.

The foyer contained a large central door, two staircases flanking either side. I’d only have to reach the bottom of the steps to peer over the banister and see the carnage. For those violent sounds?

They seemed endless.

They fueled my steps with sick curiosity. Were all the fuckers who tormented us finally dead?

My breathing quickened in anticipation, but no matter what I expected, I could never have imagined a sight more beautiful than this. Leaning over the banister, I caught sight of the massive wooden doors, flung back against the windows that banked them.

Blood splattered the marble foyer. The corpses of a dozen guards littered the floor. It was as if all of my dreams had come true.

I hadn’t dared to dream for a long time. At some point, I’d stopped caring whether I lived or died. I might not race the sweet release of death, but I wouldn’t mind if it ended my torment either.

But right now? I was happy to be alive.

For ten years I’d been made a slave. Made to work for elven lords like my master. Now, the guards who’d found any excuse to knock us down were lower than dirt.

They were destroyed .

Entrails spilled from the mangled bodies strewn across the floor. Pale blue flower petals from Elherd’s favorite flower laid among them. Though it was his entrails I longed to spill most, there was a dizzying satisfaction in seeing the others killed as well.

Voices rose, but from the pounding in my ears, I couldn’t make out their words.

I blinked quickly, coming back to reality as five wolf shifters moved through the foyer with feral grace.

At the head of the pack, a woman with pale olive skin and shock white hair.

Crystalline blue eyes cut through the shadows left by the blazing sun at her back.

I had no idea who she was, and yet, she was our savior.

With the halo around her, I might call her an angel—an angel of death and retribution with blood splattering icy claws.

Chest heaving with an excitement I thought would never come, I turned on my heel and ran. I raced through the manor, slamming down the back staircase and into the servants’ quarters.

“We’re being rescued!” I shouted.

The kitchen staff poked their heads from behind a thick wooden door while a kid pushed from the communal bedchamber with bewildered, wide eyes.

“What are you talking about?” Fauren leaned out from behind the young boy with familiar shock white hair.

Now I knew what our savior was—a wolf of ice, just like Elherd’s favorite toys. Despite the realization quickening my pulse, I had to remain calm.

“There are wolves here. They’re tearing apart the guards.”

Gasps sounded from the kitchen but I didn’t bother to turn. Instead, I ushered Fauren and the boy back into the bedchamber.

“We need to get everyone together somewhere safe while they take care of the guards,” I explained, mind racing. “Get back in the room. I’ll get everyone to come in behind you and then we’re going to blockade the door just in case the guards flee or try to take one of us as a hostage.”

“They would do that?” the boy squeaked, horrified.

“It’s possible,” I said grimly before forcing the smile they knew best. “But don’t worry, nothing is going to happen to us.

Not anymore.” The weight on my neck reminded me this wasn’t over yet.

I was still collared. Still a slave. But not for much longer.

“Now come on. Go back in and make sure everyone is prepared.”

While the boy nodded and slipped in behind Fauren, the cat shifter with bright green eyes regarded me with uncertainty.

“You’re sure?” she asked weakly.

I sighed internally. I knew all too well how she felt. I had given up for a long time too. But now wasn’t the time to roll over. It was the time to prepare ourselves to make a stand with those wolves. We might not get another chance like this.

“I’m certain. ”

Fauren nodded without further hesitation. “I trust you.”

My eyes rounded in surprise. I always kept the other beastkin at arm’s length, not wanting to get too attached to them ever since… I bit my lip, cutting off that thought. Now wasn’t the time to fall into the past .

I cleared my throat. “Good. Then do as I said and I’ll be back soon.”

She didn’t wait a moment longer, disappearing into the bedchamber just as the kitchen staff approached with questions.

I mollified them as best I could, sending some to gather the beastkin nearby while the rest filled the bedchamber we all shared.

Though they seemed skeptical, no one could deny the cacophony of battle echoing through the manor.

Once everyone had gathered inside and barricaded the door, all we could do was wait.

It didn’t take long for the commotion to get closer and closer.

When it reached our door, only then did silence rest. Some of the children began to cry and wail.

My fellow beasts did all they could to soothe them.

I crouched near the door, a kitchen knife in hand, ready to defend.

What I didn't expect was the door to suddenly slam open with a ferocity that shattered every piece of furniture we’d used as a barricade.

I backed up, blinking in shock as the woman from the foyer lowered her foot. She kicked the door down? Who is she?!

Her cold look of indifference popped with the widening of her eyes and parting of her lips.

“Oh.” She stepped inside. I backed up. Her gaze trailed across the lot of us before zeroing in on the knife I wielded. “Sorry to scare you.”

By the gods, she actually sounded sincere.

“We’re here to release you all. We’ve ki—” Her eyes flitted to the children at the back of the room. “— subdued most of the guards already. ”

“We?” one of the male kitchen staff asked tentatively.

“Yes.” She did not elaborate.

“Who are you?” I asked. I had to know who our savior was.

Her lips twisted in a small, amused smile. “Cinna.”

The ice wolf didn’t say another word as she left us in stunned silence.