“There are no right choices, only choices, Azrael.” the Present answers.
The Future whispers, as their images begin to fade: “There’s always been a future where you save your mate, Azrael. Trust yourself. All is not lost; there’s still hope.”
Before they disappear completely, they deliver one last message.
“Keep your sword close, enemies are all around you.” The crystal ball fogs, and their final words echo hollow and soft.
Zora eyes me wearily, waiting for my reaction.
“Tell me everything,” I say through clenched teeth.
“Poison, my lord. Still on her lips.”
“What kind of poison?” My fingers are clenched into fists as I fight the urge to lose control.
“Red Lily,” she winces. “The death flower of queens.”
“Zora, how could you?” My voice trembles.
“It wasn’t my choice,” she answers. “I do not have free will.” She holds up her hands to reveal ancient iron shackles around her wrists.
“I shouldn’t have told you,” she gasps as the shackles heat to red. “She’s listening.”
“I don’t understand.” I gasp, looking over the shackles but not willing to touch them. “Does it hurt?”
Zora nods. “It’s destiny, and she’s preventing everyone from intervening. Azrael, please forgive me.”
She falls against the table as a sob escapes. I bow my head in understanding. She lost her free will. If it weren’t for the chains, she wouldn’t have completed her task—risking the path destiny selected.
“I forgive you, Zora, “ I whisper.
Another sob rips from her chest. “Go, Azrael. Bring her back.”
I set my jaw, square my shoulders, and summon Soul Slayer. Magic tingles through my hands, sparking across my fingers. In a flash, the blade materializes in my palm—gleaming, hungry, waiting. We are ready for battle.
A fissure forms in the middle of the room, swallowing me into the underworld. In a matter of seconds, I’m standing at the gates to the Kingdom of Shadow and Bone, shocked to find them closed and locked. I’ve never been shut out of my own realm before.
The bone-white bars glow in the abyss, carved into towering rods and flanked by walls of shadows that wouldn’t think twice about devouring a soul. I shiver, sensing their ancient power and strength. More shadows swirl around the gate.
Strange to find them sealed, but it won’t stop me from reaching my mate. I sprint forward, slamming into them—only to ricochet back. Fuck. That was stupid. I push to my feet, plotting my next attempt. This time I shift to shadows and try to slip between the bone-carved rods, but an invisible barrier stops me cold. I raise my sword overhead and bring it down on one of the bones. The impact sends brutal vibrations through my hands and up my arms, but the gate doesn’t yield. Impenetrable. Unless…
A key.
My fingers close around the chain at my neck, my father’s words echoing:If you ever find yourself locked out of the kingdom, this will open the way.On the gate, a star-shaped hollow glints, the exact size of the key. I press it into the carved bone and twist. Locks grind and whir. The gate shudders, then slides open. I step through and pull it shut behind me. The path to the kingdom stretches out ahead, endless and dark. No time to waste. I sheathe Soul Slayer at my hip, spread my wings wide, and launch into the air. Wind tears past me as I drive forwardwith everything I have until I drop before the front gates, landing with a menacing thud.
***
The guards stand ready to face me, and my father’s voice rumbles from overhead. “Ah. Azrael. You’ve arrived. We’ve been waiting for you.”
“I would’ve arrived sooner, but it seems I was locked out. Good thing you gave me this key.” I hold it up.
“Security measures beyond my control.”
“Bullshit. Let’s cut the back-and-forth. How about you give me back my mate, and then we’ll be on our way?” I snap, my patience wearing thin.
“You know I can’t do that, Azrael.” Shadows swirl above me.
Mine form a protective shield around me in answer. “Except I own her. Summon the book. You’ll find the blood contract complete and in order. So you can just give me what belongs to me, and there won’t be any trouble.”
