Gabriel's shadow strings tugged down further, rendering me immobile. Redmond was lying on his side, attempting to move, but the invisible chains pinned him to the ground. Although my head was forced low, my sight wouldn't shift from the king's deadpan eyes.
There were no emotions in them. Not even anger. He certainly didn't seem to recognize me.
The thought caved deep in my chest, and coldness overwhelmed me. "Gabriel..."
I tried to speak, but his fingers had clenched, and I jerked sharply by my neck. The action had caused me to lay flat on my stomach, my knees still bent, and my face pressed against the sand. I coughed the mouthful I had inhaled in.
"Save your breath, girl," Evine's mouth twisted in a wicked smile, amused by the situation. She placed a gloved hand on Gabriel's shoulder as if she was petting him. "There's nothing left in him anymore. An obeying dog, that's all he is now. How he always will be."
The jewel on his forehead glimmered, and I could sense the terrible magic rumbling from within. Gabriel didn't flinch. He didn't even show any indication that he was bothered by being called a 'dog.'
No. He just stared at me. Unfeeling.
It was that stone. It had to be. It was carved deep into his flesh, the scarring still red and visible around it.
Around me, Adria was still wreaking havoc. Along with that wizard hunter, Jura. I couldn't see much, but I could hear the screams. Moving wasn't an option. Every muscle in my body was restricted due to Gabriel's magic.
"They should be done soon," said Evine, looking over at the chaos she orchestrated. My nerves pulsed with fire at the expression she had on. She looked bored!
She clicked her tongue, crouching down to grab my chin. I tried to jerk away from her touch, but she had her grip on me.
"Well, it's not the most prosperous hunt for my men, but I suppose this shitty, forgotten town will do," her lips spread in a smile, one that sent shivers down my core. I couldn't take my eyes off the harsh gash across her neck, still bright red as if made yesterday.
"How is it you're still alive?" I asked her. "Gabriel told me you killed yourself, cut your own throat."
His mother had died that day, too, at the exact moment Evine supposedly took her own life.
"Interesting question. Would you like me to tell you, or show you?" She released a small laugh, devoid of any humor.
She let go of me and retrieved a small dagger from the belt around her waist. She toyed with the tip, flipping the blade by the handle. "Hmm," she sauntered towards Redmond, and the dread within me intensified. She grabbed him by the hair, yanking his head to her chest. "You have a pretty face, boy."
I thrashed around, my fingers clawing on the ground in an attempt to lift myself up. But to no use. Gabriel's magic was like a boulder being crushed on my back.
Redmond groaned, breathing out. His arm was bleeding, injured from Adria's attack. And he tried to twist out of her hold, but she only pulled him harder.
"Evine, let go of him! Let-" I coughed the pile of sand that entered my mouth when Gabriel slammed my head down again.
"Oh," she blinked, feigning innocence, "but you're the one who wanted to know."
"Lydia -" Redmond began, but she shushed him.
"Shh," she kissed his temple softly. "Let's put on a good show for her."
"No!" the word came out muffled, for half my face was buried in the sand. "Redmond!"
The tip of her blade gleamed under the scorching sun, and it was so close to his throat.
My heart pounded in my ears, and all those feelings of terror I had washed over me. It was as if I was replaying another scene in my head, where Redmond was Luxus, the dagger was that hunter's sharp claws, and I was still on the ground, helpless and afraid.
Redmond's green-brown eyes were fixed on the silver blade, how it inched closer to his skin.
But just as it was about to pierce him, Evine had switched it over to her face, slicing a large cut across her left cheek. The cut looked painful, with blood oozing out like a stream. But she did not flinch, did not even make a sound.
It was Redmond who screamed as the same slash appeared on his left cheek, the blood stark-red against his dark, brown skin.
"Stop!" I screamed, spit and sand coming out of my mouth. "Please!"
"Oh, relax," she rolled her eyes and dropped him. He landed on his back, clutching his face in pain. "I was just demonstrating an answer to your question."
"You bitch!"
She pretended to be offended and placed a hand on her heart. "You asked for it, so I delivered."
My flames were itching to burn every piece of her flesh and bones.
"Besides," she skipped over to me, sheathing her dagger back. Blood was still running down her cheek, but it was Redmond who felt the wound. "There's no point in killing you."
She knelt over me, her hand reaching to touch the middle of my forehead. "Oh, no. Uzier has a far more useful plan for all of you Slifers."
So, it was true. Uzier was back.
It didn't surprise me. After all, they never caught him. And everyone was circling around the thought of him returning despite Agatha's delusions. Redmond's searching eyes caught my own before settling my gaze at Evine.
"Uzier?" I tried to put on a bravado I knew I wasn't feeling. "Last time anyone saw him, he was being kicked out of Agatha Alastair's office like a fool."
It alarmed me how her smile appeared calm and sure. "That was before he had the most powerful rulers in Ignolia under his leash. That old hag won't know what will hit her."
"She has us."
That amused her. "Correction, she had you. All we need is the other two Slifers, and we'll have the complete set."
"What makes you think we'll do what you say?" I grit out.
I already knew the answer; it was those stones.
She smirked and turned to look at Gabriel. "They do. And soon, you will."
A silent order went between them, and it was seconds before the ties pinning my body loosened. But I realized it wasn't that. My arms and legs were being lifted on their own, forced to comply with my shadow. The same was happening to Redmond. We were being dragged behind them.
The town around us had stilled, and I saw the wizard hunters retreating along with Queen Adria. They left behind nothing but rubble, destruction, and a bed of bodies that were either lifeless or robbed from their magic. There was no sign of the survivors yet -at least from my point of view.
Redmond had gone quiet. Only faint whimpers of pain were audible. His body was twitching, almost as if he was still forcing his muscles to resist Gabriel's magic. I attempted to do the same, even if I knew it was all in waste. Glancing at my right, I could see Gabriel walking beside me, empty eyes straight ahead.
"Gabriel," I croaked, realizing my throat was dry from all the sand I swallowed.
He didn't bother to look at me. I didn't even know if he was listening.
"Please...you're not yourself."
Even speaking seemed to drain me, but I fought through every word. "Lis, she's waiting for you. She...she thinks you're dead."
Nothing. No response.
I could feel the tears stinging my eyes. It wasn't supposed to be like that.
"Watch out!" Jura had shouted at his men, and in a split second, a bright, violet light burned my vision.
The beam of energy zapped through a line of wizard hunters, sending them flying into the mid-air. Evine was shielded by Jura, who had tackled her to the side, the two of them narrowly managing to evade it.
Luckily, Lucius's magic hit Adria, and she was knocked back before she could fully block it.
Amid the sudden chaos, the strings of Gabriel's shadow magic released for a moment, and that was all I needed to seize the chance.
Gaining control of his arms and legs again, Redmond slammed a fist into the ground, and the earth beneath us cracked and broke apart. He quickly darted to my side before Gabriel could retake charge.
Redmond staggered, and I shot an arm and secured him against me. I summoned what little magic left in me to spread a shield of fire around the two of us with my other hand. With my flames circled around us, Gabriel can't control our shadows.
I heard Evine's voice shouting one command after the other, and red, purple, and silver sparks shot over our heads. I could hear her yelling at Gabriel to do something about Redmond and me.
It won't be long until he can break my wall. I wasn't sure how much further I could keep it up, and Redmond was in no shape to use his magic.
I was running out of ideas...and time!
Just as my fire started thinning, two silver spectral horses leaped over the wall and trotted around us. One of them had Dorian riding it, with a stupid proud grin plastered on his face.
"Did the lady call for her knight?" he winked.
I rolled my eyes but was grateful as I quickly hauled Redmond behind Dorian. The other horse came to my aid, and when my shield was completely down, we were strutting out of here as fast as possible.
I held on to the large nape of the ghostly steed but couldn't help but look back at Gabriel.
His face was like a statue, brutal and callous, as those grey eyes fixated on me, drifting further and further apart. Behind him, wizards were fighting hunters as their flashes of magic soared in the dusty sky.
It was the last thing I saw before I collapsed.
***
Evine Bosly
"I take it that our little experiment went well," that was the first thing Uzier said to me upon looking at my state. I groaned, uncomfortable with all the dirt and grime on me.
He raised an eyebrow in amusement at my reaction. As I expected, he was in his study, sipping on honey wine and surrounded by his alchemy books. I noticed he had trimmed his beard nicely like I had suggested before I left.
"Well, as can you see, darling," I pointed at Adria and Gabriel, who were silently standing by the door like they were told to. Good dogs. "The stones work perfectly. This time, there was no resistance, and my men had a good hunt -well, as good as Teal could offer us."
"Good," he put his glass down. "The people of that village have since been a hindrance to my hometown. They deserve everything they get."
I could see the deep hatred in his dark eyes. After all, that village was the reason Agatha knew he was being refuged in Tal en Cresta with that damn watchtower of theirs.
Well, now it's no longer standing -as well as the people.
He got up from his seat, a satisfied smile etched on his lips. For the last three months, he had lost weight and sleep trying to reconstruct and perfect the magic and science behind the gems. He even looked healthier now that the stones were working properly.
His hand brushed against the cut on my cheek, and concern filled those lovely eyes. "What happened to you? Did you do this to yourself?"
"Yes. But only for demonstrating."
"You were always quite the theatrical."
"Indeed," I leaned my staff against the arm of the chair, feeling the exhaustion seeping through me. "But perhaps I should have hurried things over this time."
"I'm guessing you didn't have much luck with the Slifers."
I released an annoyed breath. That bitch got away at the nick of time.
"I was so close, but that old bastard Lucius interfered."
"No matter, love," his strong arms wrapped around my waist, holding me. It would have felt much nicer if I wasn't covered with blood and filth. Nonetheless, I savored the warmth. "We still have the monarchs on our side. The Slifers will have to wait a little longer. Besides, we're not yet sure if the four other stones would work."
The spare ones Uzier had constructed along with the ones etched onto the heads of the monarchs were still in their case. It was a matter of luck that he had succeeded the first time without having to use the spare ones. So, with those, the Slifers were the preferable candidates.
"Speaking of which," I turned to the silent dogs. "You can go now, pets. Rest for a while."
Without a word, they gave one nod and walked off.
"You're enjoying this way too much," he simpered.
I playfully punched his shoulder. "Oh, and you're not?"
He shrugged. "Perhaps a little."
"Well," I removed myself from his embrace, and he made a disappointed sound. "I need to wash all this dirt off. I cannot stand the sight and smell of me."
"Shall I join you?" his eyes sparked with want.
I bit my lip, not denying the heat rising between my legs. I never realize how much I miss my husband during these missions. I put a hand on his chest, feeling the muscles underneath his tunic. My other hand trailed down slowly until it hovered over his trousers, right where I could feel his desire. His breath hitched, lips moving closer to mine.
"Later," I kissed him, and he hummed in approval, "when I'm all clean.