Page 128 of Stormvein

“And then?”

“Then I’ll release her. Somewhere you can find her after I’m gone.”

I don’t think Sacha believes her. I know I don’t. If Lisandra takes me, she’ll use me as a bargaining chip with Sereven. Proof of her continued value. I will be tortured for information about Sacha. A weapon to use against him.

Sacha takes a single step backward, shadows lashing out in agitated whips around him.

“You won’t survive this.” It’s not a threat.

“Maybe not. But neither will she if you make the wrong move.”

As they face off, the mist stalker presses against the boundaries of my control, eager to protect me.

Not yet. Wait for the right moment.

“Start walking.” Lisandra uses her grip on my throat to force me back toward the ravine’s exit. “Slowly.”

I comply, feeling the blade’s edge against my throat with each careful step. Sacha follows at a distance, his eyes never leaving mine. In them, I can see a promise.

I will not let you die.

We reach the exit, the space opening onto a broader expanse of rocky ground that slopes gently toward distant trees. It will give cover for Lisandra’s escape,ifshe makes it that far.

“That’s close enough,” she tells Sacha, looking around to check her surroundings. “Stay there while we leave.”

Now. This is my moment. While she’s distracted.

I release the mist stalker, not with the chaotic energy of previous attempts, but with complete control. My vision splits, showing myself through its eyes, where it forms directly behind Lisandra.

And then it strikes. Its form slams into her back, and the impact sends us both forward. Her grip on my throat loosens as she struggles to keep her balance.

The knife scores a line across my throat as we separate, a streak of fire against my skin. I don’t have time to check how deep it is before I throw my body to the side, tearing myself free from her hold.

Sacha moves instantly, shadows surging forward like living weapons. They wrap around Lisandra before she can recover, immobilizing her, constricting around her limbs … her throat.

“I told you, you wouldn’t survive this.” His voice drops to a deadly whisper as he stalks closer. The shadows tighten, and Lisandra gasps.

Blood trickles from the cut on my neck, but since I’m still breathing, I ignore it, focused on Lisandra and Sacha. Her eyes are wide with fear. His are narrow with a cold fury I’ve never seen before. She knows what’s coming. Has known since the moment we caught up with her. The shadows begin to twist around her throat, cutting off her air.

“Wait.” I lunge between them, my hand grasping Sacha’s arm. “We still need her.”

His eyes meet mine, blazing with such intense rage that I almost step back. This isn’t the Sacha I’ve come to know. This is the Vareth’el. The Shadowvein Lord. This is someone about to dispense justice.

“She tried to kill you.” The words come out as a growl.

“She tried to escape.” I keep my grip on his arm, feeling the tension in his muscles. “If killing me was her intent, she could have done it at any time.”

“She’s proved she can’t be trusted. Twice now, she’s shown how dangerous she is to our safety.” The shadows tighten further around Lisandra, whose face turns purple with her struggle to breathe.

“But we need her at Blackstone Ridge.” I step closer to him, ignoring the throbbing pain in my neck. “That was the plan. For Lisandra to face Sereven.”

“Plans need to change when circumstances demand it.” His voice is ice.

I move directly into his line of sight, blocking his view of Lisandra. “But this plan is good. It could still work.” I lower my voice, making the words just for him. “She’s the only reason Sereven is coming here. If she doesn’t arrive, what will he do?”

Sacha stares at me. I can see the conflict in his eyes—the desire to punish Lisandra for what she’s done battling with his need to consider what I’m saying.

I reach up, placing my palm against his cheek, forcing him to look at me rather than Lisandra. There’s a collective gasp from everyone watching. It’s the boldest I’ve ever been with him when people are looking, but I need to break through.