Page 85 of A Bond So Deadly

I decide I need more power to get through to her, so I dig deeper inside myself, straining against the king’s hold.

King Malgur’s gaze snaps to me, and I’m guessing he can feel me trying to get in her head. He pushes against me, but I won’t let it go.

No. You can’t have her. I know I’ve made a mistake. If Leira had regained control and pretended to stay dead, the king may have been so focused on me, that she might have gotten away with it and escaped. But not now.

No, he realizes what I’m trying to do, and he might just kill us both for it.

He gives me a challenging look, like he wants to see what I’ve got, and I decide that no matter what happens, I have to show him that he can’t have the students. That his hold on Leira isn’t absolute.

When I reach for more power, there’s a strange sensation, and I realize it’s my soul bond with Tarlaz and Elgen. Power flickers along our bond, and I gasp.

“What was that?” I ask the shadows.

“We don’t know, girl,” Elgen replies. “We’ve always felt it, but the power is more apparent since you bonded with us.”

I frown. It’s like contained deep within their souls is this well of power, and it’s unlike anything I’ve felt before. The moment I touch it with my mind, my power amplifies, exploding as it rushes from me into Leira. The power obliterates the king’s hold, pushing him from her mind, and Leira’s eyes instantly turn black. She bends over, gasping and heaving.

“It’s okay,” I whisper to her, though I’m not sure if it is. I don’t really know what happened, other than the fact that the king’s not controlling her anymore.

I expect to find King Malgur fuming, but he’s smiling at me. Lifting his hands, he claps slowly. The Xalgrith warriors stay silent, like they’re not sure how they’re supposed to react. I get the feeling they’ve never seen anyone get their minds back once the king has seized control.

“It’s not often that I’m impressed,” King Malgur says. “Professor Yevar was right to bring you here.”

Chapter Thirty-Three

~ Shade ~

Imessed up. Somehow, I went from promising to play good little warrior, to outright challenging the king. Professor Yevar takes me back to the volcano, and I expect to be thrown into my cell again, but I’m surprised when I’m taken to a room on a higher level. It’s incredible. There’s a bed against one wall, a small stone table with an actual chair, and most importantly, a washroom. I almost cry.

Professor Yevar also restores full access to my power, and for the first time since coming through the portal, I’m able to conjure up food.

Now, I actually do cry. Sobbing, I fill my table with all sorts of dishes, and I settle down, salivating over the spread.

“You’re going to make yourself sick,” Elgen says.

Of course, she’s right and I throw up most of it not too long after, but I tell myself it was worth it.

It’s hours later, and I’m curled up on the bed when shadows pool near the door and Professor Yevar walks into view.

“Ever heard of knocking?” I complain, still cradling my stomach.

Professor Yevar narrows his eyes at the mess of dishes still on the table. “You need to get up,” he says harshly.

I groan. “You asked me to impress your Xalgrith king and I did. Can’t I just rest for the remainder of the day?” I ask hopefully.

“No,” Professor Yevar growls. “I told you to prove that you’re an asset, not to challenge the king.”

“Well, I guess you should have been more specific.” My smile falls, and I sit up. “How’s Leira?” I’d continuously asked about her on the flight back to the volcano, but Professor Yevar ignored me the whole time. I’m scared to ask now.

“You were foolish,” Professor Yevar replies. “You should be focused on worrying about yourself.”

I blink around at the room in confusion. Before I can comment, the professor’s shadows wrap around me and squeeze. I try to fight him off, but I’m drained after what happened with Leira. I can’t feel Elgen and Tarlaz’s power now, and the past few days are catching up with me.

Professor Yevar grips my chin painfully and turns my head so I’m staring at the mess of plates. “What is this, Shade?”

My brows lower. “What? I was starving, and now that I have full access to my magic I⁠—”

“And who gave you access to that?”