Page 220 of A Sanctuary from Shadow
A wind whooshed out of me at Mach 60, whipping them backward like tumbleweeds.
Pete rolled onto hands and knees, blood dribbling from his welting mouth. He gasped for breath, his head sagging. “Shorty, get out of here.” He spat. “Now.”
“No, you dumbass.”
Even amidst his heaving, he laughed. Perhaps he hadn’t ingested enough death poppy to do spiritual damage. Yet.
I bent to help him up, but he was exhausted, heavy as a dead elephant.
“Leave me.” His breath rattled. Thatsound—so like Daddy’s final moments—triggered me before I shook myself. “This is the only way to keep you safe.”
“Like hell it is. How isthiskeeping me safe? How is you getting yourself killed going to help any damn thing at all?”
He attempted another breathless laugh. “Would you believe things haven’t precisely gone to plan?”
“You think? Just—never mind. Morus should be here soon to help rescue you.”
Where the hellishe?I thought of the Kobold, my heart galloping. My wind hadn’t sent the harbingers far. I heard them regrouping.
“He can’t help.” Pete lulled to the ground, his arms, carven and bleeding, giving out. “They bound my shadows, voided my prowess, and I used all my remaining strength to fight the poppy.”
Gritting my teeth against the fear of defeat, I hugged Pete around his lacerated middle. He winced, and I pressed my cheek to his damp neck. “I’m sorry.” Tears stung my eyes. “Just hold on, okay?”
Imagining another wind—a gust able to carry both meandPete back to Eden—I closed my eyes. My bangs ruffled, my magic obeying—our exodus already before us.
I should’ve known it wouldn’t be that simple. It was me, after all. Everything in my life was a fight.
“Son of abitch!” I screeched when something snaked my ankle and wrenched me down.
Barking profanities, both Pete and I hit the ferns. He reached for me, worried—whenhelooked like they’d used him as a punching bag.
“I’m okay,” I assured him, shoving to my knees. Before my leg jerked out from under me.
“Shorty!” Pete reached again, just missing my hands as I was dragged back into the willow copse. I seethed the entire bumpy trip.
I wound up the center of a reeking harbinger circle, surprised I wasn’t the least bit scared. Their many weapons, shadow tethers, and overall menacing vibes had no effect on my nerves.
“Princess Amaranthine,” the harbinger leader chortled, strolling about me as I popped to my feet. “Lovely to meet you, your highness.”
This guy is something else, I thought as he removed his ugly tricorn and bowed to me, displaying a fuzzy orange head.
“It would be our honor to escort you to the Shadow Palace.”
“No, thanks.” I brushed dirt from my scrapes. “I’m cool here.”
The leader blinked. “At these temperatures? How can anyone be cool?”
“She means she’s no intention of leaving with you, Dando, you daft rotter.” Pete staggered through branches blooming tears. He fisted his hands—his only artillery after potions and spells.
Please don’t let them know any spells to handle me.
Tickled by Pete’s insult, Dando turned to chuckle with his comrades. The female found nothing funny, however, blood seeping from her inflamed nose. She seethed at me, promising misery.
“McKenna! Thought you’d have limped away with your tail between your legs by now.” Dando shook his ginger head, plopped his tricorn back atop it. “Daft ofyouto remain.”
Ignoring him, Pete fell into the willow trunk for support. How the hell was he even upright? Where had he found more strength? Then our eyes met, terror glazing his, and I knew I’d given it to him. Or his fears for me had.
“Shorty, are you—”
