The Shadow Shifter

by Dahlia Leigh

  Asteroth didn’t respond but she could feel the magic move from the dome back into the castle proper.

  “He’s recalling the magic, I can feel it. The dome will slowly retract as the magic is pulled from it,” Ashlynn said. She decided it was time to extend a little trust on her part and see what the guys do with the information.

  “I want to show you all something. Follow me.” Ashlynn led them upstairs, past her bedroom to the hidden wing. After applying the magic sequence in the stones, the wall opened for her. She had placed light crystals outside the entrance but if the wall was shielded, no one else should be able to get inside.

  “Wow,” came from Ed and Darien as they followed her inside.

  “This gives new meaning to a secret hideout,” Taegen said, adding an appreciative whistle at the end.

  Once inside, Ashlynn brought them down the short hall into the library. “This is the Sentinel Library. This room is just mine and contains all the history of the Sentinels in more depth than the castle library. But for now, I want to take you into the other room.” Turning her head, she gave them a sneaky smile.

  She led them out of the library and into the larger room.

  “Whoa! Nice,” Taegen’s eyes lit up when he saw all the displays of weapons. Edmund observed everything with wonder and Darien took in all she showed them with great appreciation.

  “This is the strategy room, for lack of a better name. Have a seat.” She indicated to the large table in the center with room enough for them all. More tremors continued though they were smaller and less structure rocking.

  “It is time I tell you the full Sentinel history. We’re running out of time and we need to work together quickly and get all the information out on the table so to speak. You all might have information or knowledge that will be helpful, so this is our time to lay it all out there.” Ash paused, and her gaze landed on each of the warriors before her. Their expressions were open and willing—so different from when they first arrived; closed off to sharing anything together.

  “Darien, I know you’ve mentioned a little about your father’s motivation but is there anything else to elaborate on that would help? And what about Roz, what does she want?”

  Darien cleared his throat and placed his clasped hands on the table. “My father wants to release the rest of the Unbound from Nightstead through the Void. That has been his driving motivation since we arrived. He is loyal to the old traditions the Unbound abided by since the beginning. The pack comes first. He wants information to use against the castle or you, as an added edge if necessary to get his people out. He is embittered and blinded by his mission, but he’s overall not a bad guy.” He buried his head in his hands and inhaled slowly. “As for Rozalind… I’m not entirely sure what she wants other than control and power. She relished in the idea of being my mate, so she could be queen of the shadow shifter pack. She’s manipulative and conniving. I’m not sure to what lengths she would go to, however.”

  “She said something about being in this place soon. So, let’s assume since she wanted to be queen of the pack that she wants to be queen of the castle. How she thinks she can make that happen is beyond me, but clearly she has something in mind.” Ashlynn said thinking out loud. She stood at the end of the table then sat down with the guys.

  “Those Grievers came from the Void. There could be a small group top-side, but not that many. She got them somehow from the Void,” Taegen said then elaborated more. “They are mindless minions of darkness, controlled by someone giving them commands. Though they are originally from Nightstead, and cousins to the Unbound, I know many down below who have access to that part of the realm.”

  “Do you know anyone who would help her?” Edmund asked.

  “Several. My father could be one, though I’m not entirely sure why he would sink so low.” Taegen paused and looked from each of them, ultimately landing on Ash. “My family is high up—one of the royals—in the Void and has a lot of connections.”

  “I knew you seemed familiar.” Darien slammed his hand down on the table. “I had run ins with members of your family, though I can’t place which one.” He turned to Ash who noted Edmund frowning, deep in thought. “Ash, the royal families down below are dangerous even among the dangerous. His very presence here brings a threat to you just by being here.”

  “That is not up for discussion. Asteroth chose him and I trust the decision.” She defended Taegen, but silently she had originally questioned his presence herself.

  Taegen looked at her with surprise and respect for her coming to his defense. He nodded his appreciation.

  “Ok, so Taegen’s family tree is up as possible suspects to help Roz get Grievers, but really it could be any of the high up families, correct?”

  They all nodded.

  “So, we really don’t know much else there.” Ashlynn ran her hand down her face, exhaustion becoming a heavy weight. “Anyone else have anything helpful? What about more defenses?”

  “Ash, I’ve been working on a new idea to use my illusions as guards around the outside of the castle. They could be easily placed and, if nothing else, serve as a distraction or warning system.” Edmund finished and sat expectantly forward in his seat.

  “I love it. Do it as soon as we are finished here, Ed. Thank you,” Ash said.

  Ashlynn studied each of their faces around the table. It was time to trust them. She felt her connection to them growing and, for the first time in her life, she wanted to let someone in. “I want to share with you about being the Sentinel. You already know what everyone else does as well as my connection with Asteroth, but there’s more. This will be the segmented version as I’m afraid our time is limited. My mother was the Sentinel Queen before me. I come from a long line of Sentinels and queens. Fifteen years ago, an attack on all five castles around the world occurred, Asteroth being the only one left alive. The attack came from the Void.

  “All this time, the attack was believed to be simply too strong for the Sentinels; however, recently I’ve begun to have my doubts. The attack then and the attacks now were preceded by the same tremors and quakes from below the ground. I don’t think that’s an accident.” Ashlynn paused. All the guys watched her with rapt attention, at the edge of their seats, absorbing all she said. “Fifteen years ago, my mother was killed before my eyes. Before that, I was named as her successor, she hid me so the line would not die out, and Asteroth has raised me ever since. My connection with Asteroth is stronger than any other Sentinel before me because of that. As you know, my duty is to keep the veil closed, protect the castle, and keep humanity safe.”

  Ashlynn took a much-needed breath and noted the sympathy she saw in their eyes. “I tell you all this not for you feel sorry for me. I’ve never had anyone else to talk to about all this and wanted to let you in. I feel extra sets of eyes in the future will help me to sort out all that is happening and what can be done about it.”

  “Thank you for sharing with us Ashlynn,” Ed said with a small smile.

  “I have one more thing to share. If you follow me back into the hallway, I’ll show you.” She moved to the hallway and the moving image she had Asteroth play on a loop. “This is Asteroth’s memory of the attack fifteen years ago. I’ve had him keep it playing repetitively so I can remember and see if I find any clues to what might have happened.”

  She stepped back and let the three men watch the playback. She watched with them as the faces, the ghosts of people she didn’t even know but who had died, left her as the only survivor. “Asteroth has told me this story many times but, surprisingly, he has many holes and blank spots in his memory of how everything happened. I’ll ask him questions and there are some things he simply has no recollection of.”

  “How long has he been doing that?” Taegen asked.

  “Fifteen years, but his memory has gotten worse lately with his depleting energy.”

  “Can you tell us a little more about the veil between us and the abyss to the Void?” Edmund asked.

  She no
dded. “As far as I know, the veil had been sealed since the beginning of the castle until the massacre. Somehow, those from the Void got through. Then after the attack, Asteroth sealed it again the best he could with the magic he had left. The veil was not as strong as the magic had originally been, leaving it opened for viewing but not entering from the other side unless permitted by the Sentinel.”

  “Interesting,” Darien said thoughtfully as he continued to watch the loop play over again.

  “Since the tremors suddenly began once more on the verge of the anniversary of the massacre, I believe something else is going on. Asteroth fears it might be happening again, leading up to an attack from the Void like last time.”

  “Makes sense,” Darien said.

  “Are the shadows a part of it, taking advantage of the timing and weakness of the castle? Or mere coincidence?” Ed asked.

  “In all the memories and histories I’ve seen, mentions of the shadows or the Unbound haven’t come up. My gut says they are two different scenarios badly timed. That said, I believe someone is indeed behind it all. Someone had to have let the Void in from this side of the castle.”

  “The questions now are who was it and how do we stop them before it’s too late?” Darien asked.

  “And what part does Rozalind have to play and who could have given her access to the Grievers?” Taegen added.

  “Yes, good. We’re on the same track,” Ashlynn said. Excitement lit her eyes at having someone else to bounce ideas and brainstorm with. “So, these are the things we need to discover.”

  She looked at the team before her and smiled. “Thank you for listening to me and supporting me in this.”

  “That’s what we’re here for,” Taegen said, his arms playfully outstretched as if that much was obvious. And in that moment, she realized how true his statement was.

  “Edmund and Taegen, will you check the castle perimeter and make sure no Grievers have gotten into the castle? Then set up Ed’s illusions as guards around the exterior of the castle, even inside if there’s enough. Then I’ll add some light crystals around the heart of the castle since you can’t get in there without me.” She turned to Darien next.

  “Darien could you stay behind for a moment please? I have something I wanted to talk to you about.”

  Chapter Thirty-Eight

  Ashlynn

  Ashlynn let Edmund and Taegen out of the new wing and then made her way back to Darien. “Come sit with me in the library, Darien.”

  She led him to the cozy chairs in front of the fireplace. Though, to her dismay, the fire did not spring up when she entered, reminding her of the lack of Asteroth in her life. However, the one constant she did count on was Hijinx, barreling through the rafters in the library, shooting off the end of the bookshelf into her arms, causing Ash to laugh as she cuddled him to her chin. “There you are!”

  “That creature is something else,” Darien chuckled and moved around them to sit on a chair.

  “He is.” Ashlynn smiled. “I wanted to talk about what you did with your father and the choice you made. Darien, that’s a big choice: choosing me and this life. I wanted to make sure you didn’t regret it.” She reached out and touched the top of his hand resting on the arm of the chair.

  “By choosing you, I have given up my position as the future heir to the shadow shifter pack. If I decide to go back to the pack and request my position back, I would have to challenge the alpha and fight for the leadership like anyone else, according to the laws of our traditions. I didn’t want to be alpha, to lead a pack. The biggest blow is to my father who believed alpha was my destiny and, by forsaking it, I have forsaken my heritage as a shadow shifter. I disagree. However, that said, as the alpha’s son, my father could bring great retribution down upon you and the castle. I may have inadvertently started a battle that could have been prevented if I had sided with him.”

  Darien sighed and looked at Ashlynn, his eyes filled with emotion she hadn’t seen before. “But my heart wouldn’t let me. I have chosen you, Ashlynn whether you choose me in return or not. I stand by that and wouldn’t change my decision for anything.”

  “Even though your father disowned you because of me?” she asked.

  “Especially because of that. There is something else I wanted to share with you. I haven’t wanted to keep anything from you before now, but I had to make my choice of loyalty before I could reveal more secrets. Plus, I don’t know how much Taegen knows being from the Void and, though I’m beginning to like him, I can’t give information over to his family, even if by accident.”

  “I understand, Darien. Go on,” Ashlynn said, nodding her head.

  “I think you know most of the shadow shifter history and that of the Unbound, but one secret we hold is about the cracks to the Void. Do you know of those?”

  Ashlynn narrowed her eyes in thought and shook her head. “No, I don’t recall reading anything about them, what are they?”

  “Around the world, there are a dozen cracks within crystals that are passageways into the Void. However, they are only two feet tall at the most, so no person or large creature could get through even magically as they are warded. However, missives, letters, messages, and small creatures can.” He paused for effect. “The shifters control one of those cracks nearby so we can monitor any news from Nightstead.”

  “How big of creatures? Like, say a Griever?”

  “If they were instructed to do so, yes.”

  “So, are you telling me that Roz knew of these cracks? That she could possibly have gotten the Grievers from those?”

  “It is a good possibility that occurred to me. But it means she is communicating with someone below who could give her the Grievers. And that is someone we need to be careful of.”

  “Good insight. That’s a lot to think about isn’t it?” She let the information weigh on her. “Anything else about the Unbound, like how they hunt?”

  Darien’s mouth quirked in a playful grin. “I can show you.” He pulled her to her feet and had her move away from the chairs. Darien then stalked her, showing her an example of how the shifters hunt. Ashlynn waited with anticipation but, of course, wouldn’t sit and wait like prey. She tried to get away from him, but he was too quick. Darien grabbed her arm and pulled her into him with a spin. She hit his chest with a thud and laughed. Darien didn’t hesitate but leaned down and pressed his mouth against hers, passionately kissing her. Ashlynn moaned at the unexpected pleasure.

  “Ashlynn, I’ve fallen in love with you. I know you have yet to choose your team mate, but I want to stay with you. I will leave my pack for you. All I’ve ever felt before was used for my position and future in the pack. You make me feel so alive and free, yet needed and special.” Still holding her tight to his chest, he kissed her again, tender and slow. “Ashlynn, I vow to serve at your side and love and care for you if you would allow me to.”

  Ashlynn gasped, shocked at his genuine, deep, profession of love. Something in her desperately reached out for him, wanted him, wanted to keep him around. Ash remembered a passage in her Book of the Sentinel where the Sentinel performed a type of ritual with each man on her team willing to make a vow to her. And she in return accepted him not only into her service but also into her heart.

  “Darien would you be willing to be the first member of my team?”

  Darien’s smile reached his eyes in an unusual show of emotion. “Yes, I accept.”

  “There’s a simple but powerful ritual between the Sentinel and her chosen members that will bind us together. Are you willing for that?”

  “Absolutley. What do I do?”

  “Just follow my lead.” She grabbed his hands in hers and focused on her pendant, simply desiring Darien to be bonded with her. Her necklace warmed at her chest and an overwhelming feeling of love infused her heart. Ashlynn reached up on her tiptoes and kissed Darien, pouring all the love she suddenly felt from her heart into him. A spark ignited between them, sealing the entire act. They jumped apart.

  “I wasn’
t expecting the spark, sorry about that,” Ashlynn giggled.

  All Darien could do was smile at her. Then a momentary flash of light erupted between them. Each cried out with a shock of pain that had them both panting and grimacing.

  “What the hell was that?” Darien pulled off his shirt to reveal not only an amazing set of chiseled abs, but on his chest was the crest of Asteroth Castle: an ornate compass. In the center of the compass was a symbol known only to the Sentinels representing the name of the castle they belonged to in an ancient, magical language. Ashlynn reached forward to touch it lightly, tracing her fingers over the beautiful mark embedded into his tanned skin.

  “It’s amazing,” Ashlynn said with awe. Darien closed his eyes at the tender movements of her finger on his skin. The moment was almost too intimate.

  Excited, Ashlynn turned around and lifted the back of her shirt for him. He tenderly swept her hair to the side, revealing her tree tattoo in the middle of her back. Ashlynn held her breath at how exposed she felt. She had never shown anyone the outline of her tree before. At Darien’s intake of breath, she turned toward a mirror to see for herself what he saw.

  The golden shimmering tree she received after he trial had become more solid as her strength and power had progressed. The gold was more prominent but still shimmered in the light when she moved. In addition to the tree, tendrils of smoke and shadow weaved throughout and around the tree. The shadows pulsed and swirled around, coming alive as he traced his finger over it. His touch sent shivers across her skin. He continued to touch her, heating her skin, and the moment, almost to a point of no return she wasn’t sure she was ready for yet.

  Ashlynn turned her back away from the mirror and lowered her shirt. “Darien, that was amazing. I’m honored you would join me. I…” she hesitated with sharing her feelings, “I have feelings for you that I’m still coming to terms with. But I also have some for the others as well, and I’m not sure how yet to deal with that. How does that make you feel?”