Page 148 of Serpent and Shadow

Blackstone warned me I’d likely be feeling that end of things for at least a week, and probably longer.

He also told me the amount of current Mordopast used on me––that last, continuous spell especially––would have killed a human, and even most Magicals. Blackstone seemed to think my “god primal” kept me alive, probably by being able to siphon off some of the excess charge before my system overloaded, or my heart gave out.

Whatever the cause, I walked up those stairs at about half-speed.

I also felt about eighty years old.

I was just approaching the second floor when something hot and burning on my skin, just below my collarbones, made me jump and flinch back.

I jerked back so violently, I probably would’ve lost my balance and gone toppling down the stairs if it hadn’t managed to reach out in time and grip the stone wall. Once I had myself securely upright again, I gingerly plucked the amulet Blackstone had given me off my skin.

I immediately let it go when the heat seared into my fingers.

It didn’t matter; it had done its job. I’d completely forgotten it was there, but now I remembered what it was, and why Blackstone had given me it.

Someone who’d taken the oath to Malefic was near me.

A Dark Cathedral was within distance of the amulet’s magic.

My breath stopped.

I looked up the circular staircase, and all around me.

I craned my head and neck around to look behind me.

I could see the door below, and it was closed. I highly doubted anyone could have opened that, even invisible, without me noticing. I would have heard it, if nothing else; the door was loud, especially in the acoustics of the tower. Even if they’d spelled the hinges silent, I would have felt the air when it got pulled up the stairs.

That meant, whatever waited for me, it was likely in front of me.

The door to the laboratory was just a handful of steps above.

I froze, staring at that door, breathing hard.

I fought to decide which direction was shorter, which wiser.

Was it dumber to risk running upstairs, where I might be trapped? Or were they counting on me retreating back down to the main halls of Malcroix Mansion, where there might be more of them, and where I was less likely to have the magic to effectively lock someone out?

I decided running upstairs was more risky.

I would try to make it to Forsooth’s tower.

He should be there. Blackstone said they were both back for the weekend. He also said Forsooth wished to speak with me, as soon as I felt well enough.

I took my first step backwards on the stairs, making as little sound as I could.

I took another step.

Then another.

I was about to take my fourth step––

––when a tall, black-clad form emerged from the stone wall right in front of me.

I let out a shiek, right as an arm tightly circled my waist.

There was a flash of white light.

Then everything around me disappeared.