by Jon Sprunk
“They are together,” Kit said. “And at peace.”
Caim didn't know if Kit had some special knowledge, or if she was just trying to offer comfort, but Malig seemed to accept it. With a firm nod, he took a breath and jumped into the portal. Caim let it close behind him.
“Caim, look.”
He followed her gaze as streaks of cobalt appeared in the slate-gray sky. The blue turned to orange and then to a shimmering glow of pale gold as the sun broke over the horizon. Caim put his arm around Kit, and they watched the dawn sweep away the darkness for the first time in decades.
“So,” he said. “Now what?”
She slipped her arms around his neck. “We can go anywhere?”
“Anywhere you want.”
Kit trailed her fingertips across the tops of his ears and planted a kiss on his chin. “Surprise me.”
The portal opened behind Caim with hardly any effort. Kit laughed and let go of him, and he watched the rising sun for another moment. Light was returning to these wastes, but some darkness remained inside of him. He didn't see any shadows, but he felt them nearby. Watching him. Hungering.
Then Kit pulled him by the hand, with the sunlight flashing in her eyes, toward the portal and their future, and Caim forgot his worries.
As always in a novel such as this, there are too many people to thank properly, but I want to acknowledge:
Lou Anders, my editor and art director, for guiding me through this project from start to finish. I hope it's everything you envisioned.
The staff at Pyr and Prometheus Books for all their help and expertise.
My agent, Eddie Schneider, for keeping me (semi-)sane in a business that seems to get crazier by the day.
And a special thank you to Jenny, Fred, Charlie, Jeff, and Chris for their wit and wisdom.
JON SPRUNK is the author of Shadow's Son, Shadow's Lure, and now Shadow's Master. This Shadow saga has been published in seven languages worldwide. An avid adventurer in his spare time, Jon lives in central Pennsylvania with his family. Visit him online at www.jonsprunk.com or www.facebook.com/JonSprunkAuthor/.