Shadow’s Lure by Jon Sprunk

Author:Jon Sprunk [Sprunk, Jon]
Language: eng
Format: epub
Tags: Fiction, Fantasy
Publisher: Gollancz
Published: 2011-07-20T12:00:00+00:00

CHAPTER TWENTY

Screeching winds blasted Kit from every direction, making her regret every time she’d complained about Caim’s choices in women, or his attitude, or pretty much anything. The fear that she might never get back to him had lodged behind Kit’s heart as she trudged through this endless nightmare.

She stumbled over a crinkle in the ground and brushed up against the shadow beast. The massive head swung toward her. Kit patted Doggie’s shoulder as she righted herself. After their encounter with the monster of the mists, he had rejoined her looking little worse for wear, and they’d come to an uneasy agreement. He stuck around and kept her safe; in return, she tried not to talk too much. It wasn’t easy for her, but the alternative was even less desirable, so she soldiered on. And thought about Caim. A lot. Once, they had been best friends, but she didn’t know what was wrong with him lately. He was moody all the time. He hardly talked to her like he used to. He was changing, which she had always encouraged on account of his many aggravating habits, but not like this.

It’s been getting worse since we left Othir. I know he misses the mud-woman, but this is different. It’s almost like the bad stuff that he’s done is catching up with him.

Kit let her chin droop to her chest, her eyes half closed against the driving gale. The prickling had gotten stronger, or perhaps she was deluding herself. What if she wound up walking these featureless lands forever? No, she had to get back to Caim. If she did—when she did—she had to convince him to leave those northern lands before it was too late, before they changed him for real and good.

She glanced ahead for a moment. Something glimmered in the mists. Kit shaded her eyes as she peered into the shrieking gloam. There it was again! A few points off to the left. Could it be…? She glanced in the direction of the tingling itch, and then back to the light.

Slapping Doggie on the shoulder, Kit started running toward the glow. The beast kept pace. Side by side they came upon a circle of light glowing in midair. Another portal. But there was something different about it. The circle was dimmer than the other portal. She glanced at Doggie, but it gave no comment. With a held breath, Kit reached out to the circle. Something moved on the other side of the glow, indistinct shapes in its gold-gray surface. She leaned forward and saw a pale oval. A man’s face.

“Caim!”

She rushed forward and yelped when her fingers met a hard plane of resistance. Kit clawed at the portal, but it adamantly refused her. Damned thing. Let me through!

But it was no use. Shaking with frustration, she rubbed her fingers and stared through the window at her mud-man. He was walking through a dark place. She got the impression there might be others with him. Was he in trouble? Most likely.

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