Page 60 of A Bond So Deadly

I think of the last time I was in Toralyn with Blake and her mates, and it’s nice to see Callan’s eyes are no longer haunted when he speaks of his childhood realm. “Say hello to Theon for me,” I comment with a smile, a little sad that I won’t get to see the healer archangel. I’ve always liked that guy.

Callan’s answering smile is genuine. “Of course, Shade. No doubt, he will ask about you as well.”

Thane’s hand squeezes my thigh possessively, and I have to fight not to roll my eyes. “He’s just a friend,” I shadow whisper to my mates and grin when they all visibly relax.

“You know, I’ll miss you guys,” I say softly to Blake and her mates, because it’s true. It’s been so nice having them here.

“Something tells me you won’t even know we’re gone,” Blake replies with a grin, her gaze flicking to Thane’s hand. “Besides, I know your mates will take good care of you.” There’s a slight threat to her words that makes me smile, but my mates only nod like they understand the assignment.

“Plus, this time you’re going to check in with me every few days using the portal ring I gave you,” Blake says, giving me a hard stare. “I’ve already discussed it with Queen Krosia, so she’s aware it’ll be happening. I know you were worried about her sensing the magic if you used it.”

That perks me up. The idea that I’ll be able to speak with Blake whenever I want to has me feeling just a little bit less…trapped. “Definitely,” I agree, then add, “You know, when Galen’s not stealing it from me.” Even though I got my ring back, my shadow mate has been borrowing it every so often, though he won’t tell me why. Am I using Blake to get the truth out of him? Possibly. Do I regret it? Not one bit.

Everyone’s attention turns to Galen, and Blake’s brows lower. “You’ve been taking her portal ring?”

Galen lifts his hands into the air. “I’ve been borrowing it, yes,” he admits quickly, and I smirk at how brilliant I am. I knew he wouldn’t lie to the demon queen. Shadows stir around his hand, and he stretches his palm flat. In seconds, my portal ring appears with the distinct tiny crow on the band.

Instead of looking mad, curiosity fills Blake’s features. “Why?” she asks simply.

Galen closes his hand, forming a fist, and he creates an invisible dome that surrounds us so the other students and generals can’t hear. He takes a moment, staring at the dancing flames before answering. “I’ve had a theory since the moment we met Shade and I detected the magic of her portal ring.”

That has me raising my brows, and going by the expressions of my other mates, I’m guessing Galen kept this from them, too.

“What kind of theory?” Knox asks warily.

“Well, I guess you could say it’s more of a foolish hope, than anything,” Galen goes on. “I’ve been running tests.”

“What kind of tests?” Raith rumbles.

Galen clears his throat. “Since this war started, we’ve been chasing the Xalgrith. We win a battle and more of their warriors pop up elsewhere in the realm. We don’t know their numbers. We have no idea what they want, or where the devil they come from. The prophecy talks about us closing a fold that we’ve never located, and at this point, I’m not sure if we ever will.”

“Wow,” I comment. “You really need to work on your pep talks.”

Galen’s lips twitch. “But I think this ring could change things. I hadn’t wanted to say anything earlier. Not until I’d figured out if it was possible, but I suppose now is as good a time as any. I think with this ring I can create a portal.”

Nate leans forward and tosses a leaf into the fire. “Well, yeah. That is what it was designed for.” He chuckles.

Galen’s serious expression doesn’t change.

Blake sits straighter. “You don’t just mean any portal, do you?”

Smiling, Galen stares back at her. “No. Our shadow pathways don’t link up with their realm, but I think by manipulating Shade’s portal ring, I can use it to create a gateway to the realm of the Xalgrith.”

Well, holy crap.

It goes silent around the bonfire, and the flames crackle and pop.

“Fuck, Galen, you could have told us,” Raith rumbles.

“I didn’t want to get anyone’s hopes up if I couldn’t figure it out,” Galen replies.

Blake holds his gaze. “But you think you’ve done it?”

He nods. “Last night, I finally managed to create a portal that I believe leads to their realm. I can’t be positive seeing as I didn’t go through myself, but I could feel the energy, and I swear it was like nothing I’ve detected from every other realm I’ve visited.”

I swallow hard as Galen’s news hits me. “Hold on. But if that’s true, it means we could go to the Xalgrith realm and confront Professor Yevar. What about the abducted students? We could rescue them, couldn’t we?” I stare at Kenzie across the clearing, and I think of Jensen and Kenzie’s friend, Leira. If Kenzie heard what Galen was saying now, she’d be ready to travel through the gateway in an instant.

“I don’t know, treasure,” Galen answers truthfully. “All I’m certain of is that we may have more options than we initially believed.”