Page 74 of A Bond So Deadly

I’m still spiraling when King Malgur gestures for us to move closer. I follow Professor Yevar, trying my best to ignore the blood splatter that’s on some of the remaining carpets.

“It seems four shadow warriors have taken out one of my battalions,” King Malgur rasps, addressing Professor Yevar. I hate the way the king smiles when he says it. It makes me feel like I’m missing something.

“I told you she’s the key to ending this war,” Professor Yevar replies smugly, looking proud and further adding to my confusion.

King Malgur is back to staring at me, and his unwelcome gaze trails over my body. Even though I chose a reasonably conservative outfit, at least by my standards, I suddenly wish I’d conjured something a little less tight-fitting.

The king’s gaze lingers on the weapons strapped to my hips. “Yes,” he replies, agreeing to Professor Yevar’s earlier statement. “It is as you say. Having her will break those four, and our victory will be assured.”

King Malgur lifts from his throne, and he moves closer, circling me like a predator sizing up its prey. I stand straighter, determined not to look terrified, even though my knees feel like jelly. “We’ll call you the Shadow Destroyer,” he muses as he stares at me.

I keep my chin high, and I’m focused on standing as still as a statue, when his hand brushes against my ass. I don’t think about what I do next. Instinctively, I send out my shadows, but before they can strike the king, Professor Yevar’s shadows intercept mine.

The king lets out a rasping laugh, and he delivers a blow to my face that makes my head crack to the side and forces me to my knees. The air rushes from my lungs, and even though it’s the king who hit me, I glare at Professor Yevar, realizing just how much I hate him.

“I told you not to embarrass me.” Professor Yevar’s shadow whisper is like oil against my ears.

I don’t reply, and anger surges through me. Don’t cry, Shade. Don’t you dare cry.

“You’re all right, girl,” Elgen tells me soothingly. “Chin up. Don’t let him see you breaking.”

Her words are just enough to make me blink rapidly and stubbornly lift my chin again.

King Malgur gestures with his head, and two warriors wrench me to my feet.

“Good. You’re going to need that fire,” the king rasps and laughs cruelly.

He takes a step toward me again, but a guard sticks his head through the tent flap.

“Sorry, sire,” the guard barks. “But there’s been another attack. They’re getting closer.”

My face is still throbbing, but this time it’s my turn to smile.

King Malgur regards me, his lips curving up. “Don’t worry, by the time they find you, you’ll either be so broken they don’t recognize their mate, or you’ll be the one telling them you belong to me.”

Chapter Twenty-Eight

~ Shade ~

The king marches me through the rows of tents, and I try to ignore the laughter and jeers from passing warriors. We come to one of the sections where the warriors are sparring, and the soldiers follow the king’s orders and stop training. They clear the area, forming a large circle with King Malgur, Professor Yevar, and me in the middle.

It’s easy to spot the abducted students in the crowd. The hybrid warriors stare emotionless at me, their eyes pale and distant.

“Warriors, bear witness!” King Malgur bellows, and I jolt at the sound of his voice.

The king stretches his arms wide as he addresses the crowding soldiers. “We have ourselves the Destroyer of Shadows! She is the key to us winning this war once and for all!”

A few of the Xalgrith warriors cheer, but others laugh.

“She doesn’t look like a destroyer to me,” a soldier taunts. “Maybe a toothpick for my xalfret.”

That’s followed by more laughter.

King Malgur smiles. “This female is the fated mate of four of the most powerful shadow warriors in Kiru. The very shadow demons who are causing trouble in our realm.”

At that, the laughter stops, and the warriors glower at me. A soldier spits in my direction, but thankfully, he’s not as skilled as he thinks he is, and his spit lands short.

“Then we should kill her!” a warrior calls out.