Page 138 of Godbound
“I know,” I say quietly. “It warns you when I’m in danger.”
I turn to Levi. “Blackmere Estate?” I ask. He nods.
Of course. Mael’s private residence, tucked behind layers of gates and stone. A place designed for those who preferred to look down on the city rather than walk its streets. No neighbors. No eyes.
I’ve never been inside, but I know its southern edge borders the Birch Forest. That must’ve been how Peonica slipped in—through the trees, past the guards. She was always better at vanishing than obeying.
I whirl on Kaelzar. “We need to get there. Fast. Can you take us through the shadows?”
His expression tightens, gray eyes narrowing. “You swore you’d never go through it again.”
“I don’t care,” I say. “Peonica might be in danger. Just do it.”
His jaw flexes, but he gives a curt nod. “Hold on to me and don’t let go.”
Unsure if I could let go even if I wanted, I step closer, fingers gripping his arm.
The Shadow Realm is as awful as I remember. Cold. Chaotic. Disorienting. It feels like a thousand unseen hands are grabbing at me, whispering gibberish directly into my bones. My stomach churns violently. I try to focus on Kaelzar, but even he flickers, his presence warping like a mirage.
It feels like hours, but it’s probably only seconds before we stumble into blinding daylight. I drop to my knees, bile rising, stomach rebelling as I clutch the ground and gasp for air. My body feels turned inside out.
Behind me, Kaelzar stands tall, completely unbothered.
“How… how are you so composed?” I manage to croak, wiping my mouth with a trembling hand.
His voice comes soft. “I had decades to get used to it. At first, I walked the shadows alone. Then I started taking others with me.”
I glance up at him, confused.
“Animals,” he adds. “A lamb. Some goats. Eventually an entire herd of cows.”
It’s an absurd idea, almost laughable, yet the image still stops me cold as the reason behind it clicks into place. “That’s how you planned to lead your people away from her?” I whisper.
He doesn’t meet my eyes. Just gives the faintest nod.
All that planning. All that hope. All of it, shattered.
Because of me.
I force myself upright, ignoring the guilt tearing its way throughmy chest. There’s no time for it right now. Once it’s done, I’ll find a way to help him fix it, I vow to myself, before turning to face Mael’s estate.
The gray, towering marble walls gleam under the sun. Golden inlays shimmer along the edges of the massive archway. The double doors are dark wood, banded with iron. The gardens flanking the entrance are pristine and blooming. I ignore the artificial beauty and press forward.
Guards in polished silver armor block our path, their spears crossed. “Halt! You have no?—”
Before they can finish, I uncoil my whip. It slices through the air and cracks against the packed earth, the metal blades at its tip releasing thin wisps of decay that gouge the ground at our feet. The marks are long and claw-like. The guards flinch, instinct forcing them a step back. “Stand aside,” I say, voice cold as ice.
I know I can’t hurt them, not without being disqualified from the Trial, but terror doesn’t remember rules. I know that from experience. The guards hesitate, then slowly retreat.
Kaelzar steps beside me, his shadows crawling forward like smoke come alive. They slip into every crevice, every crack of the estate, searching. He closes his eyes, brow furrowed in concentration.
“My shadows found a gathering,” he says finally, eyes opening to meet mine.
“Lead us,” I say.
Together, we stride inside.
As we move through the corridors, I can’t shake the memory of Peonica’s hesitation when Eva dismissed the idea that the ring Kaelzar gave me could be dangerous. I glance down at the small band on my finger.
