The Shadow Shifter

by Dahlia Leigh

  “I think cold showers are a customary solution when one is faced with such strong emotional and physical situations,” Asteroth said.

  Ashlynn buried her head in her hand, hearing Asteroth’s commentary from the unicorn statue just outside the illusion room doors.

  “P-R-I-V-A-C-Y Asteroth.”

  “I did not interrupt but allowed you a moment to indulge in a more carnal side of life you have not yet experienced.

  “Asshat,” she spat with embarrassment.

  “Tsk, tsk. Watch your mouth, Ashlynn. You could always cover the statues to preserve your comfort in the future.”

  “There will be no more encounters in the future. That was a one-time mistake I will not allow to happen again. Feelings… moments like those are distractions which are weaknesses.”

  “Of course.”

  Ashlynn grumbled under her breath briefly then composed herself and went down to her own room to take that cold shower.

  Chapter Twenty-Two

  Taegen

  The next morning, Taegen entered the dining room for breakfast with the others. Edmund hadn’t shown up yet, but Ashlynn and Darien had just sat down to eat. Breakfast magically appeared on the long, wooden table as it had for each meal since they arrived. He sat across from Darien, with Ashlynn in the middle, at the head. She had long, beautiful, red locks, the color of a smoke-filtered sunset, pulled back and plaited down the center of her shoulder blades. Her blue eyes twinkled when she smiled in greeting. Seeing Ashlynn smile at him as he sat, warmed his cold demon heart.

  “Good morning, Taegen. Sleep well?” she asked.

  “Indeed. Though I would sleep better with you by my side.” Taegen teased her then laughed as she nearly spit out her bite. He loved seeing the blush of color fill her face. He winked at her. Across the table, Darien unleashed a low growl of warning his chest. Taegen just waved him off. “You only wish you had said it first, big guy.”

  Ashlynn used her napkin then folded it in her lap. “All right, enough you two. Eat your breakfast before it’s cold. Have either of you seen Ed this morning?”

  Both Darien and Taegen shook their head in denial but continued to eat as she had instructed. Taegen glanced up at her. “Perhaps he fell asleep in his lab.”

  Ashlynn bit her cheek. “That’s what I’m afraid of. If he doesn’t get sleep or eat his meals, he’ll be no good to me when I need him.”

  “Not to take the spotlight off our incompetent competitor…” Taegen put his fork down. “Ashlynn, I sensed Unbound creatures near the castle last night. They didn’t appear to be threatening yet, but I warn you they can be extremely dangerous. As I’m sure you have studied up on, having alpha boy over there in your castle.” Taegen smirked in Darien’s direction. “I’m sure you’ve heard the bedtime stories of the Unbound attacking unsuspecting villages, destroying them, using their ancient magic because people couldn’t touch them or do much to stop them without special spells.”

  Ashlynn nodded. “I have heard the stories, yes.”

  “And you’re still keeping this one around?” Taegen feigned shock and tipped his head in Darien’s direction, earning him a scowl.

  “Taegen, behave,” Ashlynn said. “I’m sure you have a point to all this.”

  “I do, in fact. How are the castle’s defenses?”

  Ashlynn gauged his question and hesitated. “I’m reluctant to share too much with you—or anyone—as I just met you.” She paused. “However, Asteroth has asked if any of you might have suggestions to better prepare the castle in the event of battle. So think on it and let me know.”

  “I will do some checking of my own and see what I can come up with. Back home I provided strategic analysis in defense. I would be honored to be of service to you.”

  “As would I,” Darien said with an agreeing nod.

  “Excellent.” Ashlynn sat back in her chair, finished with her meal. “Taegen, would you check on Edmund. He’s probably in the lab as you pointed out. Also, please ask him if he knows of any ways to fight with the shadows.” She looked to Darien with softness in her eyes. “Darien, I know this puts you in an awkward position, but I have to be prepared if the worst should happen.”

  Darien lowered his head. “I understand. My father has put you in this situation. I would expect nothing less.”

  Taegen pushed his plate back and then rose from his chair. “I’ll go check on the lab rat.”

  “Thank you.”

  TAEGEN

  On his way to Edmund’s lab, Taegen paused in front of the staircase in the entry right before the hallway leading to the dungeon. He sensed the pull from the forces of the Void—his home—even inside the castle from behind the protection of the veil. His connection to the Void was strong, and therein lay one of his greatest conflicts.

  Still standing in the foyer, he remembered his last encounter with his father. Before he left his home, he had been named publicly as his father’s chosen successor, the future demon king of their level—or realm—of the underworld called the Void. Multiple levels existed down below, but his family ruled the Void. His twin brother Ezarach had been better suited to rule but he had been passed over because Taegen was minutes older. If he was honest with himself, Taegen didn’t want to rule the Void, but his father couldn’t handle his desire for another position and chose him anyway. Taegen’s approach to handling issues was not his father’s style and his brother would be the best one to take their father’s place, but his father wouldn’t hear of it. Taegen had a duty and responsibility to the Void and to his status in the family. He would be the next king.

  Things had been too serious in the Void before he left and was trying to get out of some duty owed to his father when the invitation from Asteroth Castle arrived for him. He was confused and shocked at the invitation, but then Taegen saw it as his way out of the Void. Unfortunately, his father saw another potential had other ideas for him. Then his duty changed.

  At first, he thought he could do what his father asked of him, after all, his mission still got him out of the Void and top-side for a time. But now, he wasn’t so sure.

  “You weren’t chosen by accident you know.” Asteroth spoke from the armored knight statue in the entry.

  Taegen pulled out of his memory and stared blankly at the tall metal sentry.

  “You have a lot to offer and the place you’re searching for might not be in the Void.”

  Taegen frowned, unnerved by the castle’s insight. “I think it was a mistake to bring me here. Too much is volatile below right now. You may have put the Sentinel at more risk than either of you are ready for.”

  “Perhaps. But I’m rarely wrong.”

  Taegen turned his back but hesitated before fully turning away from the statue. He noted the statue was now bereft of life, back to a simple statue. Asteroth had left him.

  “He’s kind of intense.” Taegen shook off the strange encounter then headed the rest of the way down to Edmund’s lab.

  His thoughts drifted to what the castle had said and then to Ashlynn. After first meeting her and watching her—hell, after one touch from her—he wanted to be near her more. She had spelled him. That had to be the only explanation for the pull she drew from him. He had found himself time and again wondering what she might be doing, which of those other idiots she was with, what her life alone in the castle might have been like… relationship stuff. Taegen had never wondered that about any of the girls he had slept with before; they were a means to an end. He never cared to learn more about them than what would please them. Instead, he took what was offered him when the timing was convenient and then he moved on. But with Ashlynn… to his utter surprise, he actually wanted to get to know her. He wasn’t sure what to make of that just yet, especially in light of his reason for being there in the castle.

  Before he entered the room, he heard Edmund cursing something from behind the closed door. He rolled his eyes at the absurdity of Edmund’s “harsh” words. Taegen didn’t bother knocking but strode in unannounced and ow
ned the room with his presence.

  “I have come to seek your whereabouts for the lovely Ashlynn,” Taegen said with flare. He then observed the smudges of chalk on Edmund’s face, the disheveled clothes he wore from yesterday, and the disarray in which papers with the same drawings were scattered about the floor. He frowned and picked up one, studying the drawing.

  “What do you want?” Edmund grouchily asked.

  “Ashlynn wondered why you weren’t at breakfast and sent me to find you. She was worried, or wanted you to eat, or some shit like that. I told her you were a man and you were fine.” Taegen puffed up his chest as if that action described a man.

  Unexpectedly, Edmund laughed. “That action has no bearing on what makes a man by the way.”

  “Thanks, I think I figured that one out.” Taegen dropped the paper back on the floor. “Have you been in here all night?”

  Ed looked down at himself as if realizing that was exactly what he had done and sighed with frustration. “I guess so.”

  Taegen shook his head, he couldn’t believe what he was about to do, he was wasting his time. He asked with a sharp tone, “What is it you’re doing wrong?”

  Edmund glared at Taegen. “If I knew that, I wouldn’t still be trying to get this spell right.”

  Taegen laughed. “Touché. May I look at your book?”

  “Would you understand it?”

  “Probably not but sometimes fresh eyes often catch something.” He shrugged unconcerned.

  “Be my guest.” Ed gestured toward the book.

  Taegen studied the book for a moment then examined Ed’s drawings and visually traced them against the book’s designs. “The drawing of this symbol looks different to me.”

  Edmund frowned and moved to look at what Taegen pointed out, but he shook his head. “No. It’s the same damn symbol. I traced it, then practiced it over and over as you can see.”

  Taegan’s eyes flashed with annoyance and looked again. “Do the spell one more time for me to watch.”

  “I have been trying to perfect the incapacitation spell that inadvertently went wrong when I opened the portal.”

  “Show me.”

  Edmund completed the spell and Taegen scowled not feeling any spark of magic from the work he had just done. He studied every move and choice Ed presented and finally spotted the slightest variation.

  “It’s not in your delivery. The mistake is in the second symbol you draw on the board.” Taegen brought the book right next to the chalkboard and showed Edmund how his drawing held the tiniest bit of difference. “Magic is finicky but it is also precise. In some instances you can enforce your will into it, but in others, the magic will not allow for mistakes. Try the spell again. This time make the symbol exact.”

  Edmund chewed his cheek in consternation. Taegen could tell he didn’t like being told what to do or at least not from him. But to his credit, Ed started the spell over. He moved through each step slow and sure, making sure he got the symbol right. The symbols glowed then moved together seamlessly this time on the chalkboard, apparently what they were supposed to have done when it went wrong before.

  “That’s it! It worked!” Surprisingly Edmund stuck his hand up for Taegen, but Taegen looked at his hand then at Ed with confusion. “High five… have you never given anyone a high five?”

  Taegen frowned and shook his head. “There are no high fives in the Void. What do I do?”

  Dumbfounded, Edmund pointed to his hand. “You take your hand and clap it against my hand. It’s symbolic for ‘good job.’ Try it.”

  Awkwardly, Taegen reached up and patted Edmund’s hand and pushed hard, too hard, almost pushing Ed over. Edmund gave him a strange look but nodded in return. “We’ll work on that.”

  Taegen stepped back and away from the strange encounter. “You need to keep working on your spell until you don’t need to look at the book anymore. You’ll need to practice it on someone to ensure the incapacitation works too… But not me. Try shadow boy.”

  “Right.” Edmund moved back to his table, clearly thrilled at his accomplishment.

  “Ashlynn wanted me to ask what you might know about fighting the Unbound creatures, or the shifters in shadow form, for that matter. I would suggest you brush up on ancient light spells and the like.” He shrugged then left the lab.

  Taegen headed back to his room, a smirk on his face at the thought of helping Ed. All in all, Ed really wasn’t that bad. Hell, he might even be useful. Taegen could use someone like that back home.

  Chapter Twenty-Three

  Rozalind

  Once more, Rozalind secretly entered the cave with the cracked crystal to meet with the man she had come to think of as a demon underlord from the Void—and her future ticket to power. As she approached the crystal, Roz felt his presence draw near, and the connection within her flared up. Her head turned to the side and saw herself in the reflective surface of the surrounding crystals. Her eyes glowed blue instead of her normal flat gray. Rozalind gasped in pleasure as his energy soared through her; his touch electrified every nerve within her.

  “That is quite the welcome.” Rozalind said, practically purring from the feel of his energy.

  “There is much, much more where that came from, Roz.” His voice seductively wrapped around her. Once more she was disappointed she couldn’t see his face or the body that came with his voice. She imagined what it would be like to physically feel him move against her body.

  “Come through on your end of the bargain and we might have to test the validity of your claim.” Her words were sensual and teasing as her tone was sickly sweet.

  He laughed, and the sound ricocheted off the crystals embedded within the cave walls. “Well played.”

  “For what do I owe this enticing visit from you, Salvator? I’m sure you didn’t go out of your way to meet with me just to exchange… pleasantries.”

  “I have information that will aid you in accessing the castle’s almost impenetrable borders. A weakness has developed. Let’s say, we’ve been experimenting with various ways from our side and happened upon it.”

  Roz practically curled up against the crystal in anticipation for his next words. “Go on.”

  “When the tremors strike and the ground shakes, adverse affects seize the castle and momentarily breaks down the defenses. But the breach is only for a brief moment. Long enough for… say, a shadow to pass through.”

  The ends of her lips curled up into a sated grin. “Well now, that is an interesting bit of information.”

  “For you, my pet, I also have some resources which will be available to you should you succeed in getting through the castle borders.”

  “I like the sound of that.” Roz gleamed at the idea of having her own resources, maybe even her own army at her disposal. The knowledge of the power alone made her giddy. “When I’m ruler of Asteroth Castle, you are welcome to visit anytime, and I promise to return the favor in any way you desire.”

  “And I like the sound of that. I plan to have you make good on that promise.” His smooth, velvet baritone reached into her being and soothed her from the inside out, tempting her further. “Until our next meeting…”

  His presence disappeared as if he was never truly there, leaving her breathless and wanting.

  ROZALIND

  Rozalind’s presence was requested at a meeting between the alpha and a few of the Unbound guards at their camp outside the castle borders. She had been involved with the Unbound since she had enlisted them on behalf of the alpha to perform recon at the borders.

  The Unbound who spoke informed them he had spoken to Darien and had a message to pass on. His voice was low, gravelly, and traveled as if on the wind as did all the Unbound creatures when they spoke. Only when they made the fusion with a human did they seem to acquire a more solid form of speech.

  “The future alpha told me he had nothing to share on the castle or on the girl. He was hiding something on the castle, I could tell. He also asked me to inform you to not ask again as he w
ould not be sharing any information regarding them. Darien told us not to come back to the castle border again.”

  Rozalind shot a side-glance at the alpha, gauging his reaction. His expression was tight and irritated, but he otherwise pressed forward, ignoring his son’s message. “Not good enough. We need more information to move forward with finding a way to exploit the Sentinel into giving us access to the veil.”

  Roz hid her reaction to the information well, but internally Darien’s refusal chaffed against everything within her. Anger surged in her chest, stirring up jealousy of not knowing what he was doing in the castle and who he was with. She shouldn’t be surprised. He always had his own weakness when it came to sticking to the traditions of old and standing up to his old man. He kept thinking of ways outside tradition to “make things better” for the pack. What he needed to do was make his own way then enforce his ideology—after all, that’s what she did. In her mind, it was better to beg forgiveness than to ask permission. Unless, of course, one had a better offer from a powerful man… or even back up in the form of an escape plan if forgiveness wasn’t an option, like she did. Her inner shadow smiled.

  “Alpha, if I may?” She inclined her head, asking permission to speak.

  “Go ahead, Roz. What have you to add?”

  Rozalind slowly sauntered to a closer position next to the alpha. “I may have found a possible weakness in the castle’s defenses when I was observing the border myself.”

  “Go on…”

  She had the alpha and also the Unbound’s attention. “I noticed when the earthquake happened, the dome protecting the castle wavered in and out for a brief moment. Small tremors have continued to take place, but they are building again. When the next big one hits, the borders will have the equivalent to a magical power shortage and the barrier will weaken. We could get an Unbound or one of the shifters in shadow form through the boundary and into the castle… for closer inspection and the information you seek, of course.” Rozalind paused.