Shifting Tides (Cross Academy Book 5) by Elaine Valicity

Author:Elaine, Valicity
Language: eng
Format: epub
Publisher: The Rebel Christian Publishing
Published: 2024-10-30T00:00:00+00:00

27

Kohlannis

Kohl stared at Zuriel still on his knees on the ground; he looked to be in pain, but there was no way to tell for certain. This was the Ninth Birth of Carnage, after all. It could be a trick, Kohl thought. He lifted his shadow blade, not entirely sure what to do. Zuriel was vulnerable; should he finish the boy and then find the book? But what about Montell and Andor? The Ninthborn shoved them both through portals. Would they reappear if Zuriel died right here?

A bubble of frustration swelled inside of Kohl, but it popped with a gasp when surprise needled his heart. Right before him, Zuriel took a deep breath and pushed to his feet, wearing a grin the Hunger boy recognized.

He furrowed his brows, feeling an undeniable shift in Zuriel’s energy. Somehow … it was Light now. Not that pitch-black aura he usually gave off.

“What’s going on?” Kohl asked, squeezing the shadow blade.

Zuriel’s smile widened. “It’s me, Ana. It’s KI.”

If the change in his energy signature hadn’t given him away, then the nickname certainly did. Only two people had ever used such a name for Kohl. The first person to say it was dead. But the second was somehow still alive, standing right in front of Kohl, grinning like he hadn’t a care in the world.

Kohl felt his eyes burn with tears and he quickly blinked them away. “I-I don’t believe y-you,” he stammered, voice warbled with emotion.

KI chuckled. “Yes, you do.”

Kohl broke, wiping his eyes and sniffling. “What the heck…” he muttered angrily. “Why am I crying?”

KI touched his shoulder. “I’ve missed you, too.”

“You’re not supposed to be here. Why show up now, of all times?”

“Because Zuriel wanted to kill you.”

“What else is new?”

KI’s face darkened. “That wasn’t our order. Lord Seganamé gave us instructions to assist you. Not murder you.”

Kohl didn’t speak, still trying to wrap his head around the fact that he was talking to KI at all.

“But Zuriel doesn’t want to help you. He doesn’t want you to get your hands on the Book of Forbidden Shadows.”

“Why not?”

“Because you’re strong, Kohl. Stronger than he expected, and that book will only make you stronger.”

“Strong enough to kill him?”

“Or kill his father.”

“Seganamé.” Kohl’s jaw tightened. “I didn’t hunt down the book to kill the Thirdborn. I came for myself.”

“It’s all the same to Zuriel. You’re a threat to him.”

“But not to you.”

KI smiled warmly. “You’ll always be my friend, Ana.” He looked serious again, his boyish grin vanishing. “That’s why I’m not going to ask why you’ve left the Academy. Or what you plan to do with the book.”

Kohl lowered his gaze to the cracked ground. Every moment he’d spent with KI flashed in his head. Living at the Academy together, training together, fighting together in the exams, fighting to protect him in Avanté Village. And then watching miserably as he said goodbye to Fox Fire and marched silently to his dark fate.

Fox… Kohl swallowed thickly, waiting for KI to ask about her. But he never did.

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