Obsidian by Sarah Daley

Author:Sarah Daley
Language: eng
Format: epub
ISBN: 9780857669414
Publisher: Watkins Media
Published: 2022-02-15T00:00:00+00:00

Shade drew the circles of protection around their camp as the dying sun washed the Glass Fields an angry crimson. It was not an ideal spot, high on the mountain with only rocks and scrub for shelter, but none of them had the strength to hike back down to the qaraz they’d followed to the mountains. The small burst of energy she’d gained from her excitement over spotting a qaraz in the Glass Fields allowed Shade to draw the circles, leaving the brothers to find fuel for a fire.

By the time she finished, a small pile of tinder burned bright and hot at the center of her overlapping circles, a kettle hanging on a tripod over it. Matteo was sprinkling tea leaves into it. He’d already spread their bedrolls for the night, and Angelo was unwrapping a moldy cheese and cured meat for their meal. Lines of weariness framed the elder brother’s mouth, and Matteo was pale and wan, but neither spoke a word of complaint.

Shade sheathed her blades, her hands lingering on the hilts. The two men had agreed to follow her through the promised pass. Neither had agreed to follow her into the Glass Fields. It would be asking the impossible of them. According to legend, only one person had ever crossed the Glass Fields: the Brazen Monk. It was a popular legend. A brave holy man and his two loyal companions had dared to cross the Fields – a true hellscape even worse than the Wastes. All for the hopes of finding some hidden paradise. The story ended in triumph for the Brazen Monk; he’d found a green land littered with gemstones. As for the others…

Shade dropped to her bedroll, sitting cross-legged. Gratefully, she accepted a cup of tea from Matteo. Despite his drawn face, he flashed her a smile. She caught his wrist before he could move away. “I’m sorry,” she said. “For dragging you to this dead-end. I know it must seem like madness to consider crossing the Glass Fields.”

Matteo dropped to one knee beside her, a line between his brow. “Korin told us to keep you safe, lady witch. To accompany you to your destiny, or so he put it.” The line deepened, and his bright eyes darkened. “But he said Prince Safire told us to guard you. And I know he didn’t. Illario lied, and I don’t like liars. Never have. I understand why you don’t trust him. Can’t trust him. Even so, I’m glad he sent us with you.” A flash of teeth and his expression brightened. “We probably would have followed you even without being ordered. My brother and I will follow you anywhere.”

She jerked her chin towards the cliff’s edge. “Even into the abyss?”

“Yes, m’lady.”

“I am no lady,” Shade said, giving his wrist a squeeze before letting him go. She sipped her cooling tea. “I am the Black Witch, a fiend and a scoundrel, a coldhearted murderer, and a madwoman. I might lead you to your deaths, or worse.” She fixed him with a hard stare, and raised her voice so Angelo could hear, as well.

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