To the Shadowsinger | Azriel

Chapter 23: Tomorrow morning

Raisa called herself vile things as she hiked through the mountains near an Illyrian camp. Her hatred for herself grew larger the moment she pulled away from Azriel. The moment he left her. The moment she winnowed back to the woods.

    "Bryaxis," she roared. He needed to hurry. Where the hell was he? They were running out of time.

    "Bryaxis!"

    It was when the birds fled the trees and the hairs on the back of her neck stood up that she knew she was no longer alone. She remained completely still, not turning around as something big passed behind her.

    "Did you find it?" The voice was one of nightmares. She didn't have to guess who it belonged to: Bryaxis. The creature who sired her mother.

    She kept her chin up, not letting him see that she feared him. Of course she feared him; anyone in their right senses would. She couldn't even look at him. "I asked the High Lady for it, but she refused."

    "A pity." Bryaxis circled her, even the trees groaned in fear as he slipped past them. "She was generous with me in the past."

    She gave a small anxious laugh, "maybe she just likes you more than me. I did gain some information though."

    "Yes?" He hovered over her back, almost setting off her fight or flight.

    She took a step away from him, "It's being transported to a secure location. One I can't get into, I'm assuming."

    Taloned hands that shined like polished onyx rested on each of her shoulders. He could have easily cut her throat in a single movement if he wished. She had to believe that shared blood was enough to keep him from doing so.

    "You did very well, Raisa." His hands blurred into shadows and were suddenly gone. She heard his voice coming from further away. "I think I know exactly where it is going."

    Suddenly, a darkness so intense one could disappear in it clouded her vision. She could faintly make out a wide smile filled with sharp teeth. Looking even harder, she saw eyes of blood and obsidian. Eyes the exact same as her mother's had once been.

    Bryaxis smiled even wider at the sight of her fear, "I'll need you far away from the mirror. Keep yourself busy for the night and by tomorrow morning, the mirror will be ours."

    Raisa didn't know if she felt relief. "Tomorrow morning?"

    "Yes. That is when we will return to Vallahan. You know where to meet me."

    She shielded her eyes as light hit her in his absence. He was gone in a blink of an eye, leaving her standing in the quiet woods while she realized it was time for the next part in her plan.

    This part. It was so simple. It was foolproof. It would be the "reason" Caius believed she was gone for so long. Yet, her heart ached at the thought of what she must do.

Azriel was right not to trust her.