Dragon Soul (Daughter of Shadow Book 1)
Page 17
"You need to choose others," puts in Rohan. "I may not command the lightbringers, but I can tell you they will not allow a daughter within their ranks."
Galen places his hands on the table, listening without interruption, until the conversation stops.
"Calla has been found. The girl with the dragon."
Mara chuckles. "Dragon? This girl has no dragon."
My eyes widen. Where is Luin if this woman doesn’t realise he exists?
"She has a pet dragonkin," says Rohan. "Not a dragon."
“Somewhere in the two races' ancestry, there is a connection. We could never be sure if they held the same ill will," says Galen. “The dragonkin is suspicious of me, and I of him.”
"Didn't the dragonkin live alone in the wilds?" I ask. "They were hidden in the forests and mountains, and not discovered for years. Capturing them was cruel, if anything."
Mara holds up a hand. "Stop. All I'm hearing here is that a dragon is within my stronghold. Where?"
I swallow.
"I have him restrained and subdued," says Galen and my stomach turns further.
I open my mouth, but a protest would show how attached I am to Luin. The daughter of shadow worried about her dragon—the one not welcome.
Life ending at the gallows in Westdale suddenly looks a better alternative.
Mara’s lips thin. “I know the rumours of the girl with the dragon but not that she contained shadow magic which she can't control."
"This is the point," replies Galen. "We teach Calla how to wield her magic for good. To be with us the day we confront the Ebon Queen."
At this point, I want to slide under the table and hide, as running through the door isn't an option.
"We?" asks Rohan.
"A lightbringer is needed to work with us to counteract the shadow magic if it grows too strong. My connection to the Ebon Queen and her desire to kill my lineage involves me. And Leander—"
"I have my reasons for wanting to kill the Ebon bitch," Leander interrupts.
His harsh tone and blazing eyes shock me. I've seen his anger and ability to switch from diplomacy to aggression, but this is different.
I'm struck dumb.
Why didn't they tell me I would be trained for the frontline? We've had time on the journey. But I know why: the risk I'd run away.
Two girls appear with plates laden with food. The rough wooden platters are placed in front of us and the goblets set on the table are filled with water. The plates are larger and filled with more meat and vegetables than the recruits enjoyed. The dinner I’ve already eaten sits heavily on my sick stomach.
Nobody else around suffers with the same, as they heartily eat. Scared I’ll seem rude, I pick at the bread and dip it into the broth we’re served.
“People are already aware of Calla’s arrival,” announces Leander. “The rumours about a shadowmancer in the stronghold have started, and Calla has also interacted with some other recruits.”
“How?” asks Mara sharply. “I did not allow this.”
All eyes turn to me, and I cast mine down. “I was mistaken for one and taken to their dining hall.” Again, I don’t dare mention Saskia. There are politics at work here, and I want to understand them before I say or do anything.
“Then we have no choice,” says Galen. “Calla must train with the others.”
“Without telling anybody who she is?” exclaims Rohan. “That is a bad idea.”
“We can tell the High Sorcerer. Corin is one who wanted shadowmancy brought into our war preparations,” replies Leander. “Perhaps Galen is right. We can’t exactly hide Calla and bring her out for secret lessons.”
His words would be funny if they didn’t hold an element of truth.
“And what if she’s uncontrolled?” asks Rohan. “Reveals herself? I’m not standing guard over her.”
Galen sips from his cup. “The idea is that Calla will learn to control her magic.”
“And prove to us that she is indeed more human than Ebon.”
“I am human.” I have much I want to say but only succeed in odd sentences in a meek voice.
Galen watches me as he says the next words. “I think perhaps we need to determine the true connection between Calla and her dragon. To me, this relationship is more unusual and worrying than her magic.”
“How?” asks Leander. “You’re only saying this because you don’t trust dragons.”
“Does anybody here?” he retorts. “He may be a familiar, and that is not good.”
“He isn’t my familiar,” I protest. “He has no effect on my magic. He’s just a pet.”
A man with Mara who has remained silent snorts to himself and continues eating.
Mara nods at Leander. “Arrange for Calla to join the recruits, but be careful who you reveal her identity to. I am holding you responsible for anything that happens if she is revealed as a spy, and I will deal with you accordingly.”
Leander nods. “That won’t be a problem.”
“Rohan, I wish you to continue your presence around Calla too. Galen explained the keen sense you have around her magic and that you have already succeeded in stopping her shadows.”
I glance at a pink-cheeked Rohan, whose mouth is open ready to protest, but he gives Mara a stiff bow. “As you say, War Commander.”
“Continue to work on the dragon, Galen,” says Mara. “If that’s what you wish.”
The words ‘work on’ twist my soul and I fight the fear for Luin’s safety. He’s harmless—why would Galen do this? I catch Galen’s eye and he gives me a nod imperceptible to most in the room. A subtle indication not to worry. Perhaps Galen’s reason for taking Luin is to help him? The men warned me Luin would be unwelcome at the stronghold once others saw him.
Mere days ago I thought I had a slim chance of working for the Royal Apothecary in the city. Now I'm trapped in a stronghold in the centre of enemy territory. Rohan's signet ring bearing the Order of the Lux crest catches the candle light as he takes hold of a fork to eat. Others in the room scrutinise my every move.
Few outside of this meeting know who I am, and I’m certain many will call for my death once I'm revealed.
I am the daughter of shadow and enemy of the Light.
To those who give their lives to fighting the Ebon Queen and saving their kingdom, I am a traitor who will bring failure to their crusade.
To Be Continued
Silvercrest Guardians is available now
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Read on for details about my other books.
OTHER BOOKS BY LJ SWALLOW
The Four Horsemen Series
Reverse Harem Urban Fantasy
Legacy
Bound
Hunted
Guardians
Chaos
Descent
Reckoning
or as two box sets
Books 1-3
Books 4-7
Nightworld Academy
Reverse Harem Paranormal series
Term One
Term Two
Term Three
Term Four
Term Five
Term Six
Winterfall Magic
Blackwood Magic
Ravenhold Supernatural Reform Academy
Reverse Harem Dark Academy
Witch Born
Magic Forged
Blood Legacy (coming soon)
Daughter of Shadow series
Reverse Harem Fantasy romance
Dragon Soul
Silvercrest Guardians
Ebon Queen
Shadow Throne
The Demon's Covenant Series
Reverse Harem Urban Fantasy
Held by Magic
Elements of Magic
Coming Soon
Shades of Magic
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Books by Lisa Swallow
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LJ Swallow is a USA Today bestselling paranormal romance and urban fantasy author who is the alter-ego of bestselling contemporary romance author Lisa Swallow.
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