Cast Into Shadow

by Angela Colsin

“I personally don't care why you've betrayed Arias to orchestrate this attack. My only concern is the nameless you're working with.” To the assassins, she then added, “A loyal friend just informed me that your guild wants to send a message by attacking something I hold dear. However, I find your plans too impractical to be suiting.”

  With an attitude Kivsey could truly appreciate, the Empress concluded, “So I thought, if I dropped by, you could tell me in person.”

  Her statement was clearly issued as a challenge, proving she was more than ready to fight, particularly when Arias qualified, “And just so we're clear, you shouldn't bother trying to teleport away. We've used a bit of magic to ensure that ability is muted for your people in this place.”

  Though most of the nameless assassins present were masked, the looks they exchanged gave the distinct feeling no one had planned for such a development.

  Even still, the blond demon replied with no lack of confidence, “It doesn't truly matter, Arias, and as for our message to Dalia, I could give it to you in person, Your Imperial Majesty, but you'll understand much more clearly simply by visiting Satorala, which is already under fire, perhaps even decimated by now.”

  If his statement worried the Empress, it didn't show, her glowing, fiery gaze filled with nothing but fury. But whether she was masking her concern under a veil of anger, or truly felt only rage, it didn't seem to matter.

  Instead, a much more familiar voice countered from nearby, “Actually, she'll find the city is still fully intact.”

  Immediately, the blond demon looked back to the stone bridge crossing the river where Kivsey had already spotted Ardilon, his expression casual, which matched his following statement.

  “I've directed some of my people there to ensure the nameless caused no harm, and aside from the Council's outrage in learning of your plans, things are well.”

  Angrily, the assassin demanded, “Who the fuck are you?”

  “My name is Ardilon,” he started, then qualified on a bland tone, “though I'm certain you'd know me better as the Dead God.”

  Proving the demon assassin was indeed knowledgeable of his identity, he went on to inquire, “The Dead God? Why would you protect Satorala? I thought The Crucible only concerned itself with the safety of Terra.”

  “That is our biggest concern, yes,” Ardilon returned plainly enough. Yet his blue gaze grew harsh in a way Kivsey had never seen before in adding, “However, your companion exposed several mortals to the supernatural tonight, and now, you're threatening one of my associates, which makes this personal.”

  At that, the nameless returned his gaze to Kivsey as if surprised to learn she was actually affiliated with The Crucible—or more specifically, the Dead God. So she didn't bother hiding a smug smirk with her nod of confirmation, and found his resulting I done fucked up look incredibly satisfying.

  Fittingly, that expression was still etched on his face when his head was suddenly severed from his body by an invisible blade.

  CHAPTER THIRTY SIX

  ♦

  Mikail couldn't decide what was more difficult to handle; having no idea where his mate was taken, or standing idly by under cloak as she was held hostage.

  The moment he'd arrived with Empress Dalia and saw how Kivsey was being threatened, his blood boiled, rage clouding his mind until all he could consider was the way he intended to kill each nameless surrounding her—and he certainly had the plan laid out.

  But before Ardilon sent him to Perosia to warn the Empress, he'd requested they hold off on attacking the assassins until he could join them in The Hamlet, though he hadn't explained why. Perhaps he feared some of the nameless might teleport to escape before he could offer assistance, and didn't expect Arias to counter that ability so quickly using magic. Or maybe it was just a matter of ensuring their enemies knew The Crucible had intervened in Satorala's attack to prove the organization wasn't tolerating their actions.

  Either way, Mikail did as instructed, waiting until Ardilon appeared on the stone bridge before commencing with any attacks—and his announcement of Satorala's safety was certainly relieving.

  But it did nothing to quell his rage, which he immediately unleashed upon the nameless with a vengeance.

  It hadn't been difficult to sneak up on them, either. The nighttime sky beyond the large cracks in the cavern roof left The Hamlet much darker than when he and Kivsey first visited together, allowing him—and every other darkwalking Dok'aal serving Dalia's Imperial Army—to approach the assassins completely undetected.

  Furthermore, Ardilon's news served as a distraction, providing Mikail with the perfect opportunity.

  So the moment he was within reach, he sliced his blade out at an arc. In an instant, the blond demon's head flew away from his body with a spurt of blood, and Mikail didn't waste any time turning his blade on the one still gripping Kivsey's arms.

  But instead of performing another decapitation, he first severed one of the male's limbs to force him into releasing his mate.

  As the assassin let a sharp, surprised yell of pain with his arm falling to the ground, Mikail turned to catch Kivsey before she could stumble into a fall. Simultaneously, he flipped his blade around and thrust it forward, impaling the assassin's throat with the memory of his own neck being sliced open still fresh in his mind.

  And the reaction was immediate.

  Every assassin in The Hamlet moved to attack while Dalia's imperial soldiers intervened, providing Mikail with the necessary cover to usher Kivsey away under cloak—but it wasn't easy to escape the chaotic skirmish.

  Blade clashed against blade while so many people moved and teleported about that he was forced to cut through three assassins before finally reaching a cottage where things were relatively peaceful.

  There, with the bulk of the fighting taking place several yards away, he severed the ties binding Kivsey's wrists—and the moment his mate was free, she clutched him in a hug using more strength than he thought she could muster.

  “You're alive!”

  His heart twisted at her exclamation, the emotion in her voice a direct reflection of his own relief to have his mate safe in his arms again. The sensation was so profound he nearly forgot about the battle altogether, stroking her back while murmuring against her ear, “I am. Thanks to our bond, I regenerated quickly after you were taken, and found Ardilon had come to explain what he'd learned from an assassin he apprehended at your apartment.”

  “Ardilon? Did you come here with him?”

  “No, actually. He sent me to Perosia to warn the Empress. So I came here with the imperial soldiers while he took a few divinians to alert Chancellor Gallos and stop the nameless from attacking Satorala.”

  It didn't seem possible, but her grip around him tightened during his explanation, her face still downcast when a few sniffles sounded.

  One of the assassins currently fighting may as well have driven a knife into his heart for how painful it was to realize she was crying, his hold on her body strengthening as he whispered, “I'm so sorry I couldn't make it here sooner, love. I'm even more sorry I didn't stop them from taking you to begin with.”

  “No, it's not your fault,” she whispered, turning her gaze up to relate, “I'm just crying because I couldn't stop thinking about what that assassin did to you. I thought you might be … might've been k-killed.”

  She choked out the words on another sob, then buried her face against his chest, and though the movement muffled her following statement, he clearly understood when she added, “I just love you too damned much, Mikail, and it terrified me when he slit your throat.”

  His eyes closed, her confession overwhelming him with a sense of joy so immense it was painful—or maybe the thought of her fear was the part that hurt. Either way, it was a strange mix of sensation, though the realization that she loved him was too gratifying to ignore.

  He'd desired everything this woman had to give, and somehow, he'd earned it, threading his fingers through her hair and pressing a kiss to the top of her he
ad before telling her precisely what was in his own heart.

  “It scared me, too—and enraged me. I had to watch that bastard drag the woman I love more than anything through a portal to gods only knew where, and all I could think about was ripping these assassins limb from limb for it.”

  Slowly, she looked up, fresh tears brimming in her ginger eyes even as she smiled. “You love me?”

  He scoffed. “I fucking adore you.”

  A warm smile lifted her lips, her knuckles brushing his cheek in a manner that said she couldn't be happier to hear it, even as she playfully teased, “How scandalous of you to love a slightly elven human.”

  Grinning, Mikail knew he couldn't let that go without a proper response, and quickly leaned in for a hard kiss, their mouths meeting with enough force to be bruising—and it wasn't enough. Perhaps the relief of knowing she was safe combined with her confession of love was the culprit, but the emotion was so consuming he couldn't resist the urge to hoist her up in his arms.

  In turn, her legs wrapped around his hips, and they spent several, passionate moments locked together just that way before he finally broke contact to promise, “I'll show you how scandalous it is as soon as I get you home.”

  “Sounds like fun,” she breathed in amusement, turning her head to sweetly nuzzle the crook of his neck in adding, “I just hope that by home, you mean your home in Satorala.”

  He groaned, unable to say the thought of returning there wasn't pleasing, and she'd already stated her desire to live in the city. Still, he paused before offering an answer. Ever since he'd gone to stay with Kivsey in Terra, he'd wanted to give her something better, and not simply because he was unconvinced she'd be content living in his small home.

  She also deserved it.

  But it seemed his hesitation hadn't gone unnoticed when she lifted her head to regard him curiously. “What's wrong?”

  “Nothing, I'd just hoped to take you somewhere more suitable.”

  “More suitable?” Shaking her head, she returned, “Your home is perfect, Mikail.”

  “You deserve more,” he insisted.

  Letting her legs slip back down his sides to stand on her own two feet, Kivsey shrugged. “I don't care what I deserve. I just care that you're with me, and I'm happy as long as we can share what we have.”

  Though he knew she was right, and the most important thing was having her in his life, it was impossible to ignore the part of himself that wanted her to have everything she could possibly desire.

  So he agreed, but not without relating his thoughts.

  “If that's what you want, my love, then we'll go home. But you should know I intend to spoil you.”

  “Oh yeah?”

  He nodded. “I'd give you a godsdamned palace if I had one.”

  Swiping her hands beneath her cheeks to wipe away the tears, she grinned and leaned up, whispering the words, “I know,” only inches from his lips—just as the decapitated body of an assassin landed nearby.

  At once, the couple looked in the direction of the thud, immediately reminded that they weren't exactly alone. Yet, as the Perosian's head stopped rolling only a few feet from where they stood, they realized most of the assassins were already dead, or in custody.

  The fight was actually over.

  As the imperial soldiers secured what was left of the nameless, Mikail allowed the shadows to fall away from their bodies before convening to the foot of the stone bridge with Kivsey's hand clasped in his.

  There, Dalia and Arias were surveying their victory as the latter mentioned, “I think your brother will be annoyed to learn he missed this.”

  “Maybe,” Dalia returned, adding knowingly, “but this isn't the last we'll see of the nameless. So he'll have other opportunities.”

  “True,” Arias agreed, and they both turned their attention to Ardilon as the divinian approached.

  “Empress Dalia,” he greeted cordially. “Chancellor Gallos said to tell you that he would've sent aid, but his people's safety took priority.”

  Understandingly, Dalia remarked, “Of course, and I need to thank you for assisting him. The nameless weren't wrong in deciding to target Satorala. It means a great deal to me, and I'll admit, I honestly never thought The Crucible would intervene. But you said the nameless exposed the supernatural to several humans?”

  “They did,” the divinian confirmed. “During their attempt to abduct Kivsey, they incapacitated Mikail, and I found him being gawked at by a number of humans asking what he was, and what had happened.”

  “How convenient for us, I suppose,” Arias remarked flatly, sounding as if he believed Ardilon had only provided assistance for duty's sake, and wouldn't have lifted a finger otherwise.

  In response, Mikail thought he noticed the divinian's jaw clench in irritation before adding as if the Ancient hadn't spoken, “However, I didn't lie when I stated Kivsey's abduction made things personal as well.”

  At that, Arias gave the Dead God a mildly surprised look.

  “Truly?” the Ancient asked. “You received no directive to assist?”

  Mikail quirked a brow, uncertain he understood the question. Directive to assist? What does that mean?

  In trying to figure it out, Ardilon made things even more incomprehensible by responding, “No, though I'm guessing you did.”

  “Only a vague suggestion,” Arias returned, “and I do believe I just discovered the reason why.”

  As Ardilon considered his suggestion in depth, Mikail and Kivsey exchanged a confused look over their cryptic conversation. Even Dalia seemed uncertain, her fiery eyes darting back and forth between the two men with a single brow arched.

  But Arias didn't offer the chance to ask questions in turning to the Empress with an abrupt subject change. “Regardless, now that these affairs have been concluded, I believe a reward is in order for Mikail and Miss Kivsey for getting information to us in such a timely manner.”

  Letting their prior conversation go, Dalia nodded in agreement, but Mikail immediately shook his head, asserting, “That's not necessary. My duty has always been to serve Satorala, and we're just glad everything turned out as well as it did.”

  With a smirk, Arias remarked to Dalia, “They're so modest.”

  The Empress smiled, informing the couple, “He's right. You both deserve recognition. Satorala is just as important as Perosia, and thanks to you, all is well. Come to think of it, I'd like to establish a stronger relationship with The Crucible, Ardilon. I know your Order had no formal relationship with Perosia under Rothario's stewardship, but I think tonight proves it would be beneficial for both our worlds if we established one.”

  “I would prefer keeping an open dialogue to the silent threat maintained with Rothario to make certain he stayed in line where Terra was concerned,” Ardilon agreed, turning his gaze to Kivsey in adding, “I also know of the perfect person to serve as a Terran Ambassador handling our affairs.”

  Kivsey blinked in surprise, asking hesitantly, “What do you mean?”

  Waving a hand, he explained, “The Dok'aal have a safer means of traveling to Terra now, and some may wish to visit. If so, they'll need an organization looking out for their best interests, and a representative who can communicate with the Satoralan Council for them.”

  “What?” she asked incredulously. “Me?”

  Despite her disbelief, Mikail thought the idea made perfect sense. Kivsey wanted to stay in Satorala anyway, and though his people weren't likely to travel to Terra in large numbers, those who did would need someone to look out for their best interests.

  And who would better fit that role than his Terran mate?

  Not only did she possess ties to the most powerful organization in Terra, she'd also played a large part in preventing an attack on Satorala that could've been devastating. So whatever trouble his people had accepting her would soon dwindle to nothing, a fact Ardilon pointed out with his reply.

  “Yes, you. As I'm certain you intend on living with your mate, you won't be working fo
r The Bastion any longer, and once the Satoralans realize what you've done here, you'll be more than welcome among them.”

  Her ginger gaze darted from Ardilon to Dalia, and then Mikail with an imploring expression, as if searching for advice. So he smiled and squeezed her hand encouragingly, pointing out, “You said you'd have to figure out what to do about working for The Bastion, love, and it sounds like you're being promoted.”

  Slowly, her lips curved upward into a smile as if realizing he was completely right, and in lacing her fingers through his, she accepted the offer by stating, “Here's hoping I get an office with a view.”

  The smile that creased Ardilon's mouth in response wasn't large, but it was warm, and Mikail certainly felt beholden to him for the help he'd provided that night. Yet he'd have to find a way to show his gratitude later, too distracted by a few imperial soldiers who'd just informed Dalia of their readiness to depart to figure out how to do so.

  Nodding in acknowledgment, the regent informed Mikail and Kivsey, “Now that we're done here, I'll have one of my guards escort the two of you back to Satorala.”

  As the couple respectfully accepted her offer, Arias interjected with a brief look around The Hamlet, “Before that, and out of sheer curiosity, did anyone happen to notice where Gyles went?”

  Mikail had nearly forgotten about the short Perosian, and certainly had no idea where he'd gone—saying he hadn't been killed by Dalia's guards during the skirmish.

  Yet that didn't seem to be the case when Kivsey pointed toward the northern caves and supplied, “I saw him running that way when the fighting started.”

  Hearing this, the Ancient scoffed. “That's what I'd thought, history is repeating itself. He ran after the battle with Rothario, and now he's running again.”

  “I can send guards to comb the caves for him,” Dalia offered.

  A smile formed on Arias' lips in response, his body already fading from sight in replying, “There's no need. This is a personal issue I'd rather deal with myself.”

  At that, the Ancient vanished in a plume of smoke, and the moment they were alone, Dalia exhaled a loud sigh and remarked, “Only Peros could help Gyles now.”