Page 65 of A Vow of Shadows
I nodded.
“Ani is night-bound as we are. My shadows can take you to the Corridor, then I want you to run until you’re back in the world of the living.”
I jerked back. “You want me to leave?”
“Just for today.” Evander brought his hands to either side of my face, eyes beseeching. “After nightfall, I will come for you. I’ll find you.”
“But—”
Ani howled again, the sound nearly upon us.
Everything I was about to say was pushed aside by Evander’s lips on mine. The kiss left me breathless. A quick, passionate caress that left every inch of me burning.
I grasped for words, but before I could find them, darkness engulfed me.
Chapter 42
Katrin
The shadows dispersed, all but two fleeing back to their master. I looked around at the misty Corridor, the skeletal trees as foreboding as they were my first time through. There was no way of knowing how far the shadows had taken me from Sam’s. My leg pulsed with pain, and I hoped Evander and Sam could keep Ani distracted long enough for me to get through, though part of me wanted to return and fight beside them. I knew that line of thought was foolish. They were demons and I was mortal. It wasn’t a fair fight.
I didn’t think to ask if I should expect to see other demons along this path. Like Evander, they would be unable to cross into the land of the living until sundown, but that didn’t mean they couldn’t travel throughout The Between as we had.
My steps faltered as I shuffled along. I had no idea how far I needed to travel, nor what direction. There were several paths that branched off from the one I traveled, but it all looked the same. Again, I trusted the shadows to steer me to the right choice.
Inky and Storm remained by my side, flowing in and out of various shapes as they moved. When they paused, I paused, wondering if they heard someone approaching or if I’d somehow taken a wrong turn.
Then I heard it. The sound I was sure would haunt my dreams for the rest of my life. The baying of a half-dog demon.
And there she was, sprinting down the Corridor directly for me.
My leg buckled as I tried to run, but the silky, cool grip of the shadows wrapped around me. I held my breath as they carried me, setting me back on my feet all too soon. Without sparing a glance for my pursuer, I hobbled as fast as I could down the tree-lined Corridor, knowing it would not be enough.
No sooner had the thought struck me than my shadow guards swooped in again. They held me for even less time, and I knew they were flagging. Still, if they could fight through the dregs of their strength, I could do the same. I bit back a cry as I launched into a full-on sprint, gliding in and out of the shadows like little bursts of speed.
Ani’s growls grew louder, her footfalls closer, but I knew we stood a chance when I spied the beams of sunlight piercing the forest ahead.
Warmth seeped down my leg, and I knew without looking that I’d reopened my wound. The metallic scent of blood filled my nostrils. My chest burned and pain blossomed below my ribs, but I pushed on, imagining the feel of that sunlight on my face.
My shadows fell back, and I bid them a silent farewell as I tumbled to the ground and landed in a pool of sunlight.
I looked back at where I’d come from, but there was no trace of Ani, no trace of the Corridor or my shadow guards. I hoped they would tell Evander I’d made it. I wouldn’t be able to find my way back without him.
The sun warmed my face just as I’d imagined. I couldn’t believe I made it. I tipped my head back and closed my eyes, waiting for my heart to return to its normal rhythm.
Some time later, I startled awake, surprised to find the sun lower in the sky. I’d had no intention of drifting off, especially in the middle of a forest road. I sat up, feeling slightly dazed and more than a little disappointed to find I could still see out of only my right eye.
“All right, Miss?”
Lightning zipped through my body, and I repressed the instant urge to flee as I turned to find a modest coach and concerned footman.
“Yes,” I said, pushing to my feet. With growing horror, I realized how much of my shadows were visible in my current ensemble. I brought my hand up to my forehead, not needing to feign the headache as I covered my face. “I must have fallen from my horse.”
The young man looked relieved at my response until the door to the coach opened and a statuesque woman stepped out.
“Don’t be a fool, Harold. Anyone can see the poor dear is in need of help.” Though she spoke my language, her accent marked her as being from another territory. Perhaps I wasn’t so far from home after all. “Please join me inside the carriage. I’ll see that you’re taken care of.”
The woman’s face was kind, but I couldn’t shake the feeling that there was something off about her. Neither could I continue to await Evander in the middle of the forest while injured.