Page 50 of A Bond So Deadly

“He touched her!” Raith’s monster rattles as he squeezes Germain’s throat. “He’s not allowed to touch her.”

“Please tell me you’re all right, mate,” I shadow whisper to Shade, and I make sure Knox, Raith, and Galen can hear. “Because if you’re not, Raith’s monster is about to start something with Germain that could end very badly for all of us.”

The seconds of silence that pass after that feel like an eternity, and when Shade replies, the relief is near crippling. “Yes, I’m fine. Don’t kill Germain. That’s what he wants.” She pauses. “Okay, so he probably doesn’t want to die, but I’m guessing he’s trying to bait you guys. Don’t let him win.”

“I’m coming to you now,” I say.

“No,” she says a little too quickly for my liking. “I mean, I’m fine seriously. I’m going to the forest with Kenzie. She wants to check in on her animali. Don’t let Germain get to you. He can’t kill me and he knows it. He’s just acting out because of what happened with the shekel.”

“He must die for touching you, tiny mate,” Raith growls.

“No. If you kill him, it’ll prove that I’m the threat the shadow queen thinks I am. You have to show them you’re still able to stay level-headed. I’m fine. I promise. Come find me after the meeting. I need to go.”

I want to tear Germain limb from limb as much as I’m sure Raith and the others want to, but I didn’t detect any fear in Shade’s voice. That calms my anger somewhat, and I know she’s right. Germain would have visited her during the meeting on purpose. No wonder he was late. He knew we were all here and Shade was on her own. That bastard.

It takes a bit of coaxing, but Raith seizes control over his monster and eventually moves back, releasing Germain.

“You want us to believe your mate isn’t a threat, and yet, she already has us at each other’s throats,” Ambrose states.

“Yeah, because this fucktard is tryin’ to make us lose our shit,” Raith rumbles.

“I was merely proving a point,” Germain says. “I didn’t harm your mate. She’s safe and sound in the academy. All I did was visit her and look at the four of you. Instead of focusing on discussing the war, just her scent on me has you turning on one of your own.”

I glare at him, hating how he’s turned this on us. He’s purposely antagonizing us, and a part of me wonders if it’s not just about proving our instability. For all we know, he might be a traitor like Professor Yevar. He might be provoking us to make sure we don’t close the fold.

“Anyone would be protective of their fated mate,” Blake bites out, clearly also annoyed by the situation.

“Yes,” Ambrose says, his voice clipped. “But these four aren’t just anyone, are they? They’re the four we’re relying on to close the fold and rid us of the Xalgrith once and for all. When the time comes to close the fold, four must stand against the bitter cold. Only one can make you break, beware the bond of your beloved mate. Why do I feel like our chances of winning this war are dwindling every day that human is alive?”

“Her existence makes no difference to our war efforts,” Galen counters. “We have not and will not bond with her. At least, not until this war is over. Tell us where this fold is, and we’ll gladly be of service. But Germain knew what he was doing when he touched our mate.”

Germain smiles as though he’s won, and I’m so close to just saying ‘fuck it’ and finishing what Raith’s monster started. With what feels like a massive effort, I push my anger down. “This is your only warning,” I growl at Germain. “Don’t touch her again.”

Germain lifts his hands in a placating gesture, but I know this isn’t over. He set out to prove a point, and it’s clear from their expressions that Lankin and Ambrose are on his side. Even Xera and Ravyn look concerned. Not that I’d expect any different.

“All right, if that’s settled, can we get back to the meeting?” Blake says. “Instead of worrying what could happen with Shade, we need to be focusing on how to defeat the Xalgrith. The idea of this fold that the prophecy talks about is curious. I’m assuming you’ve done all you can to find it? Is it a portal of some kind?”

“We’re guessing it’s the point where the Xalgrith are walking from their realm into ours, but we’ve combed this land and found nothing,” Ambrose answers.

“That question would be a good one to ask the zenali creatures as well,” Callan comments.

“Like I said, we’ve combed these lands searching for any markers that would indicate a portal of some kind,” Ambrose says stiffly. “But I suppose interrogating the zenali about it wouldn’t hurt.”

I nod. “It would have to be somewhere close, seeing as how Yevar has been kidnapping students and taking them to the Xalgrith realm.”

The room goes deathly quiet, and I study the faces of the other originals, watching for any indication that they might have already heard this news. Xera and Ravyn look the most surprised, which is a good sign, considering how close they are to Queen Krosia.

Lankin splutters. “What are you talking about? That’s an absurd accusation! Professor Yevar has been loyal for many years.”

“And yet, students have been going missing right under our noses,” Galen says. “Why do you think Professor Yevar has been absent these past days?”

Lankin shakes her head, like she can’t comprehend that Yevar could be a traitor. “It’s-it’s preposterous!”

“And yet, it’s true,” I rumble. “Must I remind you, that we did have a breach recently.”

“Yes, but that doesn’t mean—” Lankin starts, then her eyes widen as she stares at me. “But if that were true, it would mean the Xalgrith would have sensitive information about this academy and the workings of the shadow army.”

“We’re aware,” Knox replies coldly.