Page 83 of Stormvein

Across the cave, Sacha’s eyes meet mine over Varam’s shoulder. For a heartbeat, his mask slips, and he offers me a genuine smile, a flash of pride, and something warmer that makes my breath catch, before he replies to whatever the other man is saying.

Tomorrow, we’ll return to Stonehaven. Tomorrow, we’ll face whatever waits for us there. A traitor hidden among allies, the next phase of a conflict I didn’t choose but can no longer avoid. And Sacha will continue his dangerous game, using himself as bait for enemies we can’t see.

But tonight, I’ve gained something valuable. Knowledge and understanding. A piece of control over powers that constantlyseem random and overwhelming. The storm responds to me, the same way that Sacha’s shadows obey him.

Whatever happens at Stonehaven, I’ll face it with more than blind hope. I’ll face it with growing mastery over abilities I’m only beginning to understand. Abilities that might play a part in whatever is coming.

And maybe, in time, I’ll understand the man in front of me. The Shadowvein Lord, the Vareth’el, who returned from the brink of death with vengeance in his eyes, and secrets I’ve yet to uncover.

Chapter Nineteen

SACHA

Disobedience, once permitted, must be made visible in its punishment.

Authority Codes

“We needto make sure you look like you’re on the verge of death.” Varam gives me a critical once-over when we finally stop in a secluded clearing before approaching Stonehaven. “Being carried on a stretcher isn’t enough to convince anyone beyond a first glance.”

“I’m aware.” I strip out of the borrowed clothes. The morning air is cold against my skin, but that’s a minor discomfort compared to what might lie ahead.

From the corner of my eye, I see Ellie quickly avert her gaze, a flush creeping up her neck. Everyone else continues their preparations without reaction, paying no attention. But Ellie hasn’t had to spend months living in a war where privacy was almost impossible to find. I fight back a smile. Something about her reaction is oddly refreshing.

We’re just out of reach of Stonehaven, close enough that one of their lookouts may have already spotted our approach, butnot near enough that they can see what we’re doing without our scouts seeing them first. Our little group stands in a small clearing, while they construct a new stretcher and I prepare for a performance that could determine whether or not we survive the next few days.

Ellie is watching the ground now, her expression a mixture of worry and embarrassment. Since discovering the extent of her connection to the weather, she’s managed to keep control, and the sky above us is clear despite her obvious turmoil.

Closing my eyes, I center myself, reaching inside for a power that has nothing to do with my shadows. The Void rises in response to my call.

“Shadath verim.”Darkness spirals around my arms, then sinks into my skin.

From somewhere to my left, someone gasps.

“Neveran thul.” It spreads through me, creating a network of false bruising, thickening on my chest and cheek to form the Authority’s brands.

Shadath morven.” The energy settles into my cheeks, drawing them inward to create the gaunt look of starvation. It weighs down my eyelids, like cold fingers pressing gently against my skin. I know without seeing that it’s creating the waxy pallor of a sustained fever.

“Verathen sul.” I direct the final incantation to my throat. It wraps around my vocal cords, a gentle constriction that alters their vibration. When I speak, my voice emerges as a pained rasp.

I open my eyes. “How does it look?”

Ellie’s face is white, but Varam walks around me, examining the illusion. “It looks good, but we need some additional non-magical things. Voidcraft should fool most, but the healers may wish to examine you. They’ll expect to see blood and bandages.”

Mira steps forward with strips of cloth and a flat rock covered in crushed berries mixed with something darker. It’s a concoction that mimics the color and consistency of blood. She wraps the bandages around my torso, then coats them in the berry mixture, creating the impression of bleeding injuries.

She wraps my hands next, staining the knuckles where Sereven and his torturers shattered bones.

“How long will you be able to hold it for?” She steps back to assess her work.

“Long enough to get inside, and back to my quarters. As long as I can release it for short periods to replenish the energy it requires, I can keep it going for as long as we need. Hopefully, it won’t take more than a couple of days to find out who the traitor is.” My voice sounds weak, pained. “Convincing enough?”

Ellie’s face tells me everything I need to know. She’s looking at me properly now, her discomfort overcome by curiosity at what I’m doing. Even knowing the truth, she’s responding to the illusion with worry and horror. Her eyes widen slightly, and her fingers twitch at her sides.

“Come here,” I tell her as I walk over to the stretcher and lie on it. “See for yourself it’s just an illusion.”

She hesitates, then steps forward, reaching out carefully as though I might actually be as fragile as I appear. Her fingers brush against mine, then move to the false brand on my chest. The warmth of her skin cuts through the cold of the Voidcraft.

“It feels real.” She traces the outline of a wound that isn’t there. “Too real.” Her gaze drops to where her power sealed the sword wound in my side only days ago.