by Dahlia Leigh
Darien took several deep breaths. “How did you do that? That has never happened before.”
“What?”
“No one outside of the shadows has ever been able to touch me—or any shadow shifter for that matter—while I’m shifted.” Darien’s expression suggested he felt a mix of awe and confusion.
Edmund stood off to the side with his hands folded in front of his mouth, obviously wanting to ask something but with better judgment he kept it to himself. Taegen propped himself against a wall, watching the interaction with keen interest.
“What are you saying?” Ashlynn asked.
Maintaining the intense stare he held on Ash, he said, “When I am in shadow form I can sneak around places cloaked in shadow until I desire to be seen. I become a part of the shadow world within this world—almost an additional realm merged with this one, if you will. The reason shadow shifters are considered dangerous and feared on this side of the veil is because no one can touch them, or stop them, in shadow form.”
“Perhaps you should explain the difference between your pack and the shifters remaining in Nightstead.” Taegen challenged Darien with a look in his eyes. Ashlynn watched the interaction to see what Darien would do.
Darien shot a furtive glance at Taegen but sighed and turned back to Ashlynn. He paused, hesitant to meet Ashlynn’s eyes. “When the shifters fled Nightstead, we came to realize we could not survive in this world at full strength in our current shadow form. We found a way to fuse with the humans of this world, taking human bodies as our own.”
She waited, sure he thought she might be in shock at his revelation. When he finally did meet her eyes she said, “You think I should be shocked. This is information I already had from previous Sentinel writings. Thank you for trusting me with it. Even though you were baited into sharing it.” She shot an exasperated look to Taegen who simply shrugged, unconcerned. Darien gave a curt nod, but the tension he held in his shoulders found relief.
The room grew quiet with the weight of the new information Darien revealed. Ashlynn absorbed all she had seen and learned then chose one bit of information to focus on. “So, I can somehow reach into the shadows?”
“You can. Though I don’t know why or to what extent.” Darien offered her a small smile at the slight change of subject.
“Nor do I,” Asteroth interjected for the first time since they had started training.
“Perhaps it’s my pendant?” Ashlynn asked Asteroth.
“Perhaps.”
Ashlynn’s gaze found each of the guys, then her smile widened, and her eyes lit up with laughter. “Come on, that’s pretty cool!”
Chapter Fourteen
Ashlynn
“All right, Taegen, you’re next,” Ashlynn said. Taegen held her gaze from where he casually leaned with his arms crossed against the wall.
“You will not want to see what I can do,” Taegen said with a playful bent.
“I do, in fact. I need to know how your magic works so I can trust you as we work together,” Ashlynn countered.
All playfulness gone, Taegen pushed away from the wall with his shoulders back and fierceness in his eyes. “No. I cannot expose you to my magic.”
Darien and Edmund stiffened. The tension grew in the room.
“I don’t think it’s a good idea, Sentinel,” Darien said. Edmund shook his head in agreement with the others.
Ashlynn glared at each of them, not backing down. “Well, as the Sentinel, I disagree. I need to know not only how it works but how I handle his type of power for future encounters with anyone else from the Void. This might be my only opportunity to experience his magic in relative safety.”
Her argument or determined expression was apparently effective as Taegen sighed and strode toward her with an unrepentant, cold glare. “Fine, but don’t say I didn’t warn you.”
Darien moved from the center, allowing Taegen the floor. Ashlynn didn’t miss the slightly satisfied look Darien gave when they passed each other. Though Darien said he hadn’t wanted Taegen to demonstrate his magic, Ashlynn wondered if he reveled in pushing Taegen to do something he didn’t want to since Taegen had baited Darien earlier on.
Taegen regained his playful side as he entered the center with his arms extended, ending with a spin. He focused on Ashlynn and nodded.
Nothing happened. Ashlynn continued to watch him, feeling something and, yet, nothing. She cocked her head, studying Taegen.
Edmund cried out, his eyes wide with fear as she watched them turn from brown to black behind his glasses. His gaze was distant, stuck on something none of the rest of them could see.
Darien gasped beside him. His eyes also turned black as they locked on something unseen. Darkness flooded the dungeon room, still designed as a battlefield, and surrounded each of their legs, climbing up their torsos engulfing them completely. Quickly, but with great control, Ashlynn looked between Darien and Edmund. She found Taegen’s eyes trained on hers. The sounds of the other warriors’ strangled discomfort was all she could take.
“Enough! Stop what you’re doing, Taegen.”
The darkness dispersed, Darien and Edmund’s eyes cleared from whatever vision they saw, and relief filled the room.
Ed fell to the ground struggling for breath. “I saw my family. They were all being slaughtered by a great darkness. I… I wasn’t able to save them, and my father pointed at me with disapproval and told me it was my fault.” Emotion swelled in his eyes. “I know it wasn’t real, but the vision felt more than so.”
Taegen explained with a flat tone what they saw. “The visions are your worst fears being played out. They are more smoke and mirrors than an actual weapon. I told you, you didn’t’ want me to show you.”
Edmund lunged for him in an uncharacteristic show of aggression, but Darien held him back. “How could you do such a thing?”
Something passed through Taegen’s eyes, but Ashlynn saw it. She also didn’t miss the slightest of flinches Taegen displayed but quickly regained control, shifting his position to one with a defensive edge. He held out his hands as if he had no control over what they saw and said, “Demon. What did you expect?”
Darien let go of Edmund and moved to put Taegen in his place physically with his fist cocked back, ready to punch him.
Their actions were about to spiral out of hand. Ashlynn raised her voice and pushed authority behind her words, “Stop!”
She spun to face Taegen. “Me. I said, show me your magic.”
“I did!” he fired back.
Ashlynn glared at Taegen, the fire in her eyes matching her red hair. “Taegen, show your magic to me. Only me.”
“No!” Edmund and Darien shouted together.
Taegen’s voice softened. “I don’t want you to experience what I can do.”
Ashlynn understood and softened her expression as she approached him. Standing toe-to-toe with him, she placed her hand on his arm and offered him an ultimatum. “Please show me, or you can leave the castle and go back home.”
Taegen reluctantly nodded and the room filled with darkness once more. Ashlynn gasped at first as a vision of the castle full of people unfolded before her. She watched them being destroyed and her family ripped out of her grasps. Ash wasn’t able to do anything to stop the bloodshed from happening. She couldn’t save them either. Somehow, though, Ashlynn felt peace within her, and she was able to separate the vision she saw from the reality she was aware of. Her mind cleared and she even had the wherewithal to conscientiously realize she handled his magic better than she thought she would—better than the others did, in fact.
The vision ended as quickly as Taegen’s magic had taken root. Her eyes found Taegen’s, wide with surprise.
“You didn’t even flinch.” He sounded impressed and awed at her reaction—or the lack thereof.
“And your eyes didn’t turn black like Edmund’s did,” Darien said.
“So did yours, man.” Taegen watched Darien’s expression deflate then turn to acceptance.
“They didn’t?” Ashlynn asked, surprised.
“You were so brave, Ashlynn. No one has ever handled my magic in such a manner. It was almost as if you were immune to the effects of the fear my magic can wield.” A new respect shone in Taegen’s eyes for the Sentinel.
“I am not afraid of your magic, Taegen,” Ashlynn said, gentleness in her tone. Taegan eyes widened in shock, but Ashlynn continued. “I mean it is terrifying, but I’m not afraid of you.”
Taegen’s respect turned to hope, and then he quickly laughed it off. “Well that’s good, but don’t tell anyone. You could ruin my reputation in the Void.” He winked at her then moved out of the center of the room. She watched him a moment longer, wondering why he used his playful side as a shield.
“Ed, you’re up.” Taegen passed the metaphorical baton.
The ground shook with tremendous force, rocking them all off balance. Everyone gasped. The quake roared, a hungry beast awakened from slumber.
“Taegen, turn the magic off!” Darien shouted.
Edmund scowled at Taegen. “You’re hurting her, why are you doing this?”
The ground continued to shake. Hijinx jumped from the beam above, landed, and then jumped onto Ash who held her head.
“It’s not Taegen!” she shouted, “something’s happening to the castle.”
“Ashlynn!” Asteroth’s voice broke through the roar of the tremors. The shaking was so significant, Ashlynn screamed and doubled over in pain. Then she blacked out, falling to the ground.
Chapter Fifteen
Ashlynn
Ashlynn woke up lying on her bed in her room. Slowly, she sat up, clutching her head and groaned. “Asteroth? Are you there?”
“I’m here, Ashlynn. How are you feeling?”
“Like I got my brain rattled by cannon fire.” She stood up too fast then sat back down on the edge of the bed.
Frustrated, Asteroth whispered under his breath. “It’s happening again and we aren’t ready yet.”
Straining to hear him, Ashlynn remembered the earthquake that shook the entire castle. Her head shot up, no longer in pain. She was alert and concerned for Asteroth. “What happened? Are you all right?”
“Tremors rocked the castle it would seem, but everything is fine, aside from a few toppled stones.”
Ashlynn glanced at the dragon statue Asteroth spoke through and narrowed her eyes. Something in his tone alerted her that, perhaps, not all was as fine as he wanted her to believe.
“Why did I faint? Oh no! I fainted with the warriors. There’s a show of strength for you.” Ashlynn hid her face with her hands, embarrassed.
“They were very concerned. Darien scooped you up like a knight in shining, shadowed armor and I showed him to your room. They all followed. And were complete gentlemen, by the way.”
“Oh my god.”
“Relax, Ash. It shows they have a compassionate side. And the quakes struck you so strongly because you and I are connected, as you know. That connection has not yet been tested until now. As you grow stronger, the quakes will not effect you as much.”
“Have the quakes happened again?”
“You mean since you’ve been out, lying in a prone state, vulnerable to all your surroundings? No.”
Ashlynn scoffed playfully. “Don’t be an ass.” After a moment of silence Ashlynn couldn’t hold back. “What aren’t you telling me?”
He released a weary sigh. “My magic is failing faster than we anticipated. I’m growing weaker and was not able to shield you how I should have from the quakes.”
“This is not the first time these quakes have happened, is it?”
“You are very perceptive.”
“Maybe. I also hear pretty good when castles mumble out loud.” Ashlynn smiled despite the fact they were speaking of unpleasant subjects.
“Ah. Should have claimed the perceptive compliment.”
Ashlynn shrugged. “We’re running out of time, aren’t we?”
“Yes. I don’t know how much longer I can keep up all the castle’s defenses. Perhaps, one of your warriors might have an idea.”
Ashlynn frowned and mumbled under her breath. “They aren’t my warriors. But, I can ask. Edmund might have some tricks up his sleeves. He did believe he would be an asset in the protective department.”
“Good.” The castle paused. “Please, ask him.”
The mere mention of the castle asking for help then adding the word please on top of it was cause for Ashlynn to be alarmed. The state of the castle was more serious than she had originally thought.
“I will.”
Frustrated, Ashlynn reached for her Book of the Sentinel. “I’m going to go to the new wing and read for a bit.”
“You may want to wait for a moment as you have a visitor approaching.”
“What?”
A knock sounded at her door. Ashlynn set the book back down and then answered the door to find Darien standing at the threshold, looking uncertain for the first time since she had met him.
“Ashlynn.” He breathed a sigh of relief and relaxed. “You’re all right?”
“I am. I hear I owe you thanks for getting me to my room.”
Darien shifted his feet. “I came to see if you needed anything.”
“Thank you but, as you can see, I’m fine now.” Ashlynn smiled but remained in the doorway.
“I do see that. You are much stronger than you realize,” Darien said then seemed to realize he had said it out loud when she smiled at him. His face paled and he tried to recover by clearing his throat and awkwardly changing the subject. “Well, I’ll head back to my room then.”
But Darien remained where he stood for a moment longer than necessary. He examined Ashlynn’s face, causing her to grip the handle of the door behind her. She was uncomfortable under his gaze, and didn’t want him to see her discomfort, but that same feeling she had when she first met him came over her. That feeling of being drawn to him at a soul level. The feeling of being connected… of being home. Her feelings overwhelmed her.
“I...” she awkwardly cleared her throat then attempted words again. “I am on my way to do something. I will catch up with you later. Thank you for checking on me.”
Darien straightened up, coming out of the trance he seemed to be in. “Right. I wanted to let you know we have decided to run perimeter checks and will take turns. I am taking my shift but will be available should you need anything when I am finished.”
“I think that is a wise decision. Thank you for taking initiative on that.” She assumed Darien would be the one to enforce perimeter checks being an alpha’s son but was surprised when he told her Taegen was actually the one who brought them up. Darien departed and Ashlynn shut the door, banging her head against the back of it.
“What in the world just happened?”
“I think he might be enraptured by your beauty, dear girl.” Asteroth feigned Southern Belle but laughed, unable to keep the act in check.
“Shut up, Asteroth. You don’t know what you’re talking about.”
“Of course not. Didn’t you have reading you wanted to do?”
Ashlynn groaned and mumbled something under her breath, but grabbed her book and headed out the door toward her new wing and the room she had dubbed: The Sentinel’s Library.
As she moved through the castle, down the hallway to her secret wing, Ashlynn was surprised to find Taegen. He leaned with his back against the wall with a booted-foot casually propped behind him. His posture was relaxed, as if he had no place to be, but something simmered behind his eyes, lost in his own thoughts until she smiled and said hello.
“Taegen? Are you well?”
Taegen’s head popped up and his eyes cleared, leaving behind the detached persona, allowing his playful side to regain control. His smile grew and he pushed off the wall.
“I was looking for you.”
“You found me. How did you know I would be here though?” Her expression became quizzical.
“Ah, that ruins the fun.” He
leaned toward her and whispered, “Plus, if I tell you my secret, then I’d have to kill you.” He looked at her and something strange passed over his eyes, again causing Ashlynn discomfort. Taegen quickly laughed it off and added, “Just kidding. I asked Asteroth which direction you were heading in. He was kind enough to direct me to you.” Taegen smiled.
“He is quite helpful, that Asteroth.” She paused. “Is everything all right, Taegen? You seem… distracted.”
“I came to ask you if you were all right. And here, I let you beat me to it. I’m fine. I’m here with you, after all. How are you after the nasty reaction you had to the quake?”
“I’m fine now. Thank you.”
His expression sobered and he searched her eyes until he must have seen what he was looking for and then nodded.
“Satisfied?” She was annoyed the guys were fussing over her with such intensity. They barely knew her. And all she did was faint. She still couldn’t believe she fainted.
“Yes,” he said with a boyish grin. “And you do look fine to me, too. The big lout and the fidgety one were worried about you. I, on the other hand, didn’t underestimate your strength and knew you’d be fine after you slept it off.”
Slightly suspicious, Ashlynn asked what he was getting at but Taegen moved in closer to her. She was up against the opposite wall in the hallway already with nowhere to retreat to if she chose to step away from him. He was so close, he almost pressed his body against hers, but not quite close enough. She internally scolded her body for even being disappointed he hadn’t moved in all the way. Even so, Ashlynn could feel the heat coming off his body and something about him made her want to curl up and get cozy with him. She schooled her features and remained cool and aloof, as if her body wasn’t completely affected by him. However, Taegen smirked and pulled away.
