Page 11 of Twisted Souls (Twisted Souls #1)

Xavier

We had only just arrived back at the castle, and the moment I stepped into the hall, I felt it—my power. It was a familiar, unsettling ripple beneath my skin. It had coiled tighter as I drew closer, an undeniable pull guiding me toward the ballroom. I knew he would be in there, but her? I hadn’t expected to see her.

Fury propelled me through the cold, hollow corridors, each step a thunderous declaration of my rage. They knew each other—intimately. Her scent, their mingling arousal, had clung to him, and my mind spun, trying to make sense of it. The cold air around me was heavy, the castle walls closing in as a weight settled in my chest.

I shadowed the last few steps to the lower weapon chambers, throwing open the door with a determined force. I’d be ready the next time they shadowed into my castle.

The room was dim, torches casting flickering shadows along the smooth, reflective stone walls. Weapons lined the racks, their edges glinting menacingly in the low light. My hands moved swiftly through bins and drawers, searching until they found what I was looking for—chain charms, a gift from Lord Gunnar.

The chains hummed in my palm, their magic pulsing with energy. A wicked smile tugged at my lips, and I pocketed the charms.

The look on their faces—they acted like I was the villain. I scoffed aloud, slamming the drawer shut with more force than necessary. The wood splintered at the impact, but I didn’t care.

I stalked out of the room, my steps echoing angrily as I ascended the stairs.

Zara, he had called her. Her name stirred something sharp in my chest, a growl slipping from my lips before I could stop it. At least now I knew her name—and that my suspicions were correct. The human realm was open.

A cough from the end of the corridor interrupted my thoughts. Julian stood there, arms folded, his rumpled shirt and pants the same ones he'd worn during our travels. His square glasses sat askew, magnifying his already narrowed eyes as they fixed on me.

“The wards were shredded again. I take it your little visitor stopped by?” Julian's voice dripped with irritation.

“Jaxon was here,” I managed to grit out, my voice still raw with rage. Julian’s eyes widened in shock, his posture instantly stiffening as his arms fell to his sides.

“What?” he nearly yelled, sprinting down the hall to my side. “What happened?”

“She brought him here,” I spat, fury still radiating off me in waves. “We fought. Then they disappeared.”

Julian's expression darkened, his mind clearly racing. “Did you find out anything? What did he say?” he pressed.

“He did it. He opened that damned realm,” my voice rasped, a bitter laugh escaping my lips. I growled, brushing past Julian, “He is searching for the book.”

I could feel Julian’s gaze burning into my back, but I didn’t stop. My footsteps echoed off the hall's cold, obsidian stone walls, long shadows flickering on the ancient carvings that adorned its surface. The air was thick with the scent of my brother’s blood, which now clung to my skin and clothes.

Reaching the end of the corridor, I pushed open the heavy wooden door with a creak, the hinges protesting under the strain. The stone staircase that greeted me was narrow and steep, its steps worn. I could hear the soft sound of my boots against the rough stone as I climbed, each step taking me higher into the quiet, cool air of the tower.

At the top, I flung open the door to the rooftop terrace with a sharp crack as the wood slammed against the stone wall. The cold night air hit my face like a splash of icy water, and I took a deep breath.

Lush greenery sprawled across the terrace, and the cool spring air was thick with the fragrant blend of earth and blooming flowers. I walked to the edge, where the garden gave way to a sweeping view of the castle grounds.

I leaned over the stone railing, my fingers gripping the icy surface. The stone groaned under my touch, cracks spidering outward. Julian joined me, resting against the ledge with his elbows. Anger and hurt twisted within me. My own brother had turned against me, weakened me. And for what? I shook my head, trying to calm my racing heart.

A screech filled the air, and a tattered screech owl landed on the ledge in front of me. It extended a leg toward me, and I carefully unwrapped the letter from its tiny talon. I gave the owl a gentle stroke under its beak, and it pushed off from the stone, flapping its wings and disappearing into the darkness.

Julian looked at me sidelong, and I handed him the scroll, rubbing my hands over my face. Julian's eyes darted across the page, and he cleared his throat before speaking.

“Witches.” He sighed. “Another attack, southern Mirronian, near where we just left,” Julian said, his eyes filling with concern.

“It's getting worse,” I said. “Territan, Niverrian and now Mirronian. We have to act.”

“I agree, but we can easily make things worse with the wrong tactic. We must wait to consult with the others before deciding our next move.”

“Things are already worse. Another war is inevitable.” I let out a dry, bitter laugh. “It’s already started.”

Julian grunted in response and turned, leaning his back on the ledge. There was nothing he could say to me tonight, and he knew it, but it was comforting having him here next to me.

“I asked Gunnar to bring everything he has on old magic. If anyone knows how to get your magic back, it would be him,” Julian said. Before I could scold him, he stopped me. “I didn’t tell him what happened, just that we would explain when he arrived, and he didn’t ask any further questions.”

I gave a reluctant nod. “Looks like I can’t avoid it any longer, especially now that we know the human realm is definitely open.” I exhaled heavily, my gaze drifting over the castle grounds. The crisp night air stirred the budding branches, and I watched them sway in the breeze.

Julian didn’t respond, but after a moment, he said, “You need to get rest X. We have a long journey ahead of us.”

I nodded in response, and we sat in silence for a few minutes longer.

“Does she always shadow near you?” Julian asked.

“I don’t know,” I admitted, the uncertainty hanging in my voice.

“Strange,” he said, glancing at me sidelong.

“Strange indeed.”