Page 100 of A Bond So Deadly

“But the demon queen,” Ravyn speaks this time, her voice soft-spoken. “What about the demon army and the armies of the other realms? What if they come to fight?”

“As far as I last heard, our dear Queen Blake is having some…difficulty in the beast realm, and I doubt she’ll return before the Xalgrith have finished their work. When she arrives, I will happily enlighten her of the tragic death of her friend, and how we did everything in our power to try to stop it. I’m sure Queen Blake will be most aggrieved to hear of the death of her so-called bestie, and it may even motivate her more to join us in destroying the Xalgrith army. Not that we should need it with my power, but it couldn’t hurt to have the support.”

My stomach plummets, and I think about how I haven’t been able to get through to Blake. Please be okay.

Ravyn and Xera look like they want to question the shadow queen further, but they keep their mouths shut, watching my mates uneasily, and no doubt thinking that could be them next.

“So, now that’s cleared up. Any last words?” Queen Krosia asks me.

I lick my cracked lips. “I understand my fate, but the students. They haven’t done anything wrong.” I give Xera a pleading look, but she averts her gaze. “At least, give them a fighting chance. Give the remaining students their immortality. They’re warriors. Let them go out like ones.”

Queen Krosia’s answering laughter is cruel. “To make the weak immortal is foolish. Has this academy taught you nothing? Your beloved students will just as likely become liabilities when the Xalgrith inevitably take their minds. No, the students should have died anyway after their pitiful display during the games.”

“But—” I start to protest, but the queen’s shadows wrap around my mouth, like she’s tired of hearing me speak. She turns as shadows gather beside her, creating a shadow pathway.

“Your Highness, are you sure about this? The fold—” Xera starts again, but Queen Krosia cuts her off with a deadly look.

“Tend to your soldiers, Commander,” the queen says, her voice dripping with venom. “When the time comes, our warriors will fight. For now, we protect the city and wait to see this academy burn.”

All emotion drains from Xera’s face. “As you wish, my queen.”

Just before Queen Krosia steps into the pathway, she turns to my mates. “Oh, and don’t even think you can run from this and hide your mate from me. I’ve altered the barrier around these grounds, making it impenetrable.” She smiles. “At least, by you. I’m sure the Xalgrith will find a way to bring it all down. And by then, it’ll be too late to escape. So I suggest you make the most of your last days with your beloved mate.”

At that, she disappears into the pathway, and the originals go with her.

Chapter Thirty-Nine

~ Shade ~

The shadow queen’s magic releases us, and Thane roars, “Shade!”

Thane and Galen rush over to me, and Knox vanishes in a cloud of shadows.

Emorie’s voice is still faint in my head.

“Where are you?” I ask my phoenix as my mates fuss over me.

“Queen Krosia took us by surprise,” Emorie replies. “By the time we broke free of her binds and made our way here, it was already too late. We can’t get through the barrier.”

“Wait. You’re outside the academy grounds?” I tense. “Who’s with you?”

“Bonfang, Arizak, and Rinoc are also here. But we are unharmed,” she answers. “Raith did all he could to protect us before he was taken.”

Galen and Thane curse, and going by the looks they give me, I’m guessing they’re having similar conversations with their own animali.

“How is Raith?” Emorie asks.

I kneel at Raith’s side, pulling his head onto my lap, and he gains consciousness shortly after.

“I think he’ll be okay,” I tell her.

“Good,” she replies. “Then for now you are safe. We will watch the perimeter and advise if the Xalgrith appear.”

“No, you can’t do that. You’re not trapped like the rest of us. You all need to get as far away from here as possible.”

“We will not leave our bonded,” Emorie replies simply.

“But you can’t be out there when the Xalgrith come,” I tell her, but there’s no response.