Heir of Hope (Follower of the Word Book 3) by Busse Morgan L

Author:Busse, Morgan L. [Busse, Morgan L.]
Language: eng
Format: azw3
Tags: Fantasy
ISBN: 9781621840404
Publisher: Enclave Publishing
Published: 2015-04-21T04:00:00+00:00

Chapter

26

A hand grabbed her arm and pulled her back. “I thought Valin told you to be more careful.”

Malchus.

He pulled Rowen behind him and stood between her and the shadow. He stared up at the creature. “This one is not for you.”

The shadow’s body weaved between smoke and shadow. It raised bonelike claws and hissed at Malchus.

Malchus lifted his hand, palm out. “I said leave!”

A war of wills raged between Malchus and the shadow.

Rowen stood behind Malchus, clutching her wrap across her shoulders. The chill around her heart contracted like an iron band. The moon came out from behind the wispy clouds, full and bright. Its light filtered through the shadow. Whatever these creatures were, they were not corporeal, not like she was. Not like Malchus. Or was he one of them?

The wind pulled Malchus’s long pale hair to the side, exposing his back and neck. His muscles were bunched together beneath the white tunic he wore. His feet were spread apart in a defense stance, as if he were ready for a fight.

The shadow hissed again. Malchus raised his hand higher. “Now!”

The shadow shuddered, then turned and flew down the street.

She let out a sigh of relief. It did not go in the direction the men had gone.

The chill in the air dissipated. She took a deep breath and let the warm air fill her lungs.

Malchus turned. His face, once beautiful, was now gaunt in the moonlight, pulled and stretched across his skull.

Rowen shrank back. What had happened to him?

He snarled at her and grabbed the front of her dress, pulling her toward him until she was inches from his face. His breath came out hot and fast, and smelled like sweet wine. His pale blue eyes looked almost white in the moonlight, save for his pupils, which were large and dark. “What are you doing out here?”

“I-I . . .”

“Valin told you to stay in your room.”

She stiffened. “He said I could go wherever I wanted.”

“He did now, did he? Did he tell you what roams the streets? Especially at this time of night?”

Rowen shook her head and swallowed. Malchus leaned in even closer until she was forced to turn her head to the side. “Shadows.” His breath moved across her cheek. “Mordra. The biting ones.”

She wanted tear away from Malchus and run. A sickness clung to him, a rotting of his soul. She could feel it coming off him in waves.

“I only saved you because Valin wants you.” He said the last few words in a scathing tone. “Next time, however, I will let the shadow have you.” He shoved her away.

Rowen stumbled across the street and hit the side of a building.

“Now let’s get you back to your room.”

She stood and readjusted her wrap. “I can find my way back to the house by myself.”

Malchus smiled. It reminded her of a dog with bared teeth. “I don’t think so. More shadows roam Thyra. Valin would be most displeased if something happened to you.”

She looked down the street where Rory, Regessus, and the men had disappeared.

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