Page 27 of The Edge of Darkness

Ramil sealed us in. It isn’t a ward, but whatever it is won’t allow porting as an entry or exit. If we’re to leave Benmoor, we must be on the other side of the door we entered this room through.

Everyone shifted nervously on their feet. Niall had communicated it to all of us.

I reached out with my power, feeling for the wall Ramil had just locked into place. It was different from the wards I’d manipulated. It felt old, strong, and its invisible string was directly tied to the Alatyr he wore.

We were locked in.

Old Magic, I said back to Niall.

“Mmm,” was his audible reply as he called his shadows back to him.

We would have to fight our way out of this, and get outside of the chamber to port. But with Maeson still working her magic on Fallon . . . We needed to buy her time as well.

“You don’t give two shits about anyone else but yourself!” Morah spat.

This time, Ramil didn’t even deign to reply. Instead, he turned his attention on me, and his eyes narrowed. “You will tell me how you got past my wards, or I will force it out of you, violently.”

It suddenly dawned on me that Ramil had no idea what I was capable of. He had danced around every notion of who I was, but never said it aloud. And now he wanted to know how I was able to get in his territory. Perhaps he wasn’t as well connected to Lyceius as we had thought.

“We can do this the easy or the hard way, Auren. You and my daughter can either come with me freely, and I will let your little friends run back to the mountains, or you’ll come in chains, and I will ensure that everyone rots in this crypt, alongside my son.”

Remic moved behind me and leaned in over my shoulder. “No negotiations,” he reminded me. His words were an anchor and a verse of retribution.

I unsheathed my sword and stared back at Ramil.

No negotiations.

If it meant letting my power loose, then so be it. None of my friends were dying for me today, and no one was getting left behind.

“You’re right,” I said to Ramil. “I am a half-breed bitch, and I brought your wards down with a simple thought. Your power is no match for me, High Lord.”

Ramil’s eyes flared with rage. He didn’t know exactly what I was, but given what I’d said, I knew his mind was tripping on itself, trying to figure it out. He clutched the Alatyr around his neck. “I see we’ll be doing this the hard way. Pity.” A unit of guards appeared in the doorway behind him, summoned on a silent command.

Remic swore under his breath. He tore both daggers from their sheaths at his thighs, wings flaring wide behind him. “Immortals,” he hissed.

“Immortals?” I echoed, trying to hide the panic in my voice.

Remic shifted on his feet, eyeing the beings as they crept forward. “They’re not truly immortal, but they’re unlike any other. Intensely trained, quick, precise. And there’s always an endless supply of them.” His facial markings lit red as he palmed his blades in each hand.

“Quicker than you?” I asked, eyeing the droves of enemies that filled the space.

“Damn near.”

“Well, that’s lovely,” I bit out.

The so-called “Immortals” drew closer. Their eyes cut like daggers through the small slits in the black metal masks that covered the entirety of their faces.

They wore black and gold armor, fitted neatly to their bodies like the scales of a strange animal. And each was carrying a double-tipped spear, while a slender, curved sword hung from their hips. Some twirled their spears in front of them as they neared. Others held their weapons steady. But all of them moved so fluidly, it was as if they were gliding into place.

Morah clutched her daggers, and Roirdan withdrew his sword, wedging himself between Niall and I, ready to defend us both.

Maeson must have been listening this entire time because a circle of fire ignited around her and Fallon, protecting them while she continued doing whatever she could to bring him back to this side of reality.

The first of the masked cutthroats moved, quickening his step, and my only thought was of the men who had burst into my home on the day my parents were slaughtered.

I’d wished for so long that I could turn back time. I wouldn’t have let my emotions get the best of me. Maybe then the outcome would have been different. Maybe then my parents would be alive. But if it weren’t for that fateful day, I would not be where I was or who I was now.

Now, I had power coursing through me. A chance to change the outcome. There would be no turning back time, but I would ensure that the same thing did not happen twice. I had a gift from the Seidr, and the power of a god.