Page 138 of Stormvein

“No. My shadows are ensuring we’re invisible to them.”

My attention returns to the hollow as Sereven approaches Lisandra. He stops when he’s approximately ten paces away from her. Close enough to speak without shouting, far enough to protect himself if she decides to attack.

“Can you hear what they’re saying?”

Sacha nods. “Sereven is demanding to know whether I survived or not. Lisandra is telling him that I made a complete recovery, and that I’m stronger than I was before.”

Something gleams in Sereven’s hand—not a weapon drawn in threat, but an object held casually at his side.

The crystal.

Even from this distance, something about it makes my skin crawl. The power inside me responds, pulsing in warning. This is what tore through Sacha’s shadows at the river, what nearly destroyed him completely. It doesn’t just glow blue—it seems to pull at the light around it, creating a subtle distortion in the air that makes my eyes hurt when I try to focus on it directly.

Whatever that thing is, it’s not natural.

Sereven speaks again, waving his other hand. Lisandra responds by reaching into her tunic and drawing out something small. I can’t make out what it is from here, only the way it glints briefly as she hands it over.

“He knows I wouldn’t give that up lightly,” Sacha murmurs beside me. “Not after what it cost me.”

The way he says it, quiet and sharp, sends a chill up my spine.

“What is it?”

He doesn’t look at me. “Something that onlyhewould understand.”

Before I can push for more, Sereven speaks again, louder this time. I can’t hear the words.

He studies whatever Lisandra gave him for a moment, turning it over. Then his head snaps up, gaze sweeping the surrounding ridges with sudden alertness.

“He’s looking for me now.” Sacha’s body grows unnaturally still, shadows drawing close to his skin until he all but vanishes against the rock. I focus on remaining as motionless as I can.

Below, the confrontation continues. Sereven’s voice is too low to carry, but the way he steps forward says enough—aggressive, demanding, meant to provoke. Lisandra responds by spreading her hands apart.

“She’s telling him I’m nearby. That I wanted to watch and see his reaction before showing him what I’ve become.”

Before I can ask what that means, movement below recaptures my attention. Sereven has raised the crystal, its blue-white surface catching sunlight. The light bends around it, subtle at first. Just enough to make the edges of the world feel off. He turns in a slow circle, the crystal lifted in front of him. When he faces our direction, he pauses.

“He’s trying to find us,” Sacha murmurs.

Below, Sereven says something which makes Lisandra stiffen, her head shaking once. Whatever he’s asking, she’srefusing. Guards close in on her. One of them grabs her arm. Another steps in behind, seizing her other wrist. She doesn’t fight, but her mouth moves as she speaks.

Then Sereven draws a blade.

The light catches on it for a second, and my breath snags in my throat. The edge gleams like it’s been honed for this single purpose.

He presses it to her throat.

“What is he doing?” Horror fills my voice.

“Making sure he has leverage.”

A thin line of blood blooms beneath the blade. Lisandra holds herself still, head angled in our direction, and then she calls out.

“Don’t! It’s a trap. He wants?—”

One of the guards slams a hand over her mouth, yanking her backward. Too late. The words are out, and they’ve landed exactly where she aimed them. Sereven’s head snaps toward the ridge line, expression turning dark with fury. Then he presses the blade harder against her throat. Blood breaks in a second line, trailing down Lisandra’s neck as she’s held still, mouth pinned shut.

Beside me, Sacha doesn’t say a word … but his shadows move.