Shadow Reign (Shadow Puppeteer Book 2) Read Free

actually landed.
    The dive downward stole my breath. His talons withdrew and I was weightless before I slammed into the stone. There was no comfort in having solid ground under my feet when I had to hug it to keep the wind from knocking me over the side.
    The birdlike creature landed within grabbing distance, but I couldn’t move when every breath I drew made my lungs sting. My torn shoulder muscle wasn’t nearly as raw as my skin. My nails ached as I fought to grasp the rock to no avail. The harsh wind was still moving me.
    “You are the most pathetic female I have yet to bring to our domain,” the bird said.
    Aggression oozed off him like heat on a paved road. He wanted me dead, but he feared his master more. I’d take better heed of this if my discomfort didn’t take so much of my thinking space.
    “I should let you drop and end your misery,” he said.
    Why did he think I was miserable? Things ached, but I still had enough pep to fight.
    His attention jerked to something just behind me. I twisted to see what held his attention, but with my hair beating in my face, I couldn’t see what he saw. His energy changed. His anger became uncertainty. I wasn’t sure I wanted to face his master, but this high up, there was no way I’d be able to climb down with my fingers numb and my body nearly frozen, but I wasn’t ready to admit I was at his mercy, either.
    He drew close to me and lifted his wings. The wind ruffled his black feathers, but I could live with the stench as long as the wind wasn’t trying to tear my skin off.
    “Come now, stupid girl. Your presence is requested.”
    I’d let the insult go, this time. Right now, I had two options; face this creature’s master or face the bottom of the cliff when the wind tossed me over. I needed a blade, but I’d settle for the spirits, though they were unpredictable. Bad thing was, the spirits weren’t around.
    It took effort getting to my feet. Crawling was an option, but I wanted to move quickly if I had to and crawling didn’t present that opportunity. Now that I stood, though bent against the wind that did make it past his wings, I could see what he was looking at. The dark mouth of the cave waited for me. It could be the maw of a beast for all I knew, but I walked towards it.
    I expected something would greet me. There was nothing. It was just the mouth of a cave and though it was cold within, it was far better than the biting wind that wanted me to plummet. I leaned against the wall, unabashed that I needed to collect myself.
    “Keep moving.”
    His silhouette blocked the cave mouth. From in here, my right eye didn’t hurt so badly. It was a dull pain, but manageable. He flicked his beak in the direction he wanted me to go. If I waited too long, he might snap that hooked end at me and I was hurting enough.
    I just wish that empty cavity within my chest would beat beside my regular heart. I wanted to know the shadows were near. What did they do to the wolf pack?
    The wolves drudged up thoughts of Rex and Amber. That loneliness never left. It was as internal as my curse, though I was no longer afraid of the dark. There were bigger things to fear than shadows, like the fact that I was a killer.
    “Move it,” he barked.
    I pushed away from the wall, grateful that the ground was even. It was hard enough keeping balance with my body so stiff and cold. The cave appeared dark at the entrance, but the further in we walked, the walls shimmered with silvery minerals. It wasn’t a lot of light, but enough to see that nothing waited up ahead. The only terrible thing about the hall was that it was as frigid as outside.
    If I slowed, feathers would brush the backs of my legs. I didn’t want it touching me. The feel of its energy still pulsed in my shoulders. It felt heavy like poison and all I wanted to do was wash it from my skin. He grunted in disapproval, probably wishing I’d be a little more helpless in the dark. I’m glad to disappoint.
    A stronger light