42. Katrin

Chapter 42

Katrin

T he shadows dispersed, all but two fleeing back to their master. I looked around at the misty Corridor, the skeletal trees as foreboding as they were my first time through. There was no way of knowing how far the shadows had taken me from Sam's. My leg pulsed with pain, and I hoped Evander and Sam could keep Ani distracted long enough for me to get through, though part of me wanted to return and fight beside them. I knew that line of thought was foolish. They were demons and I was mortal. It wasn't a fair fight.

I didn't think to ask if I should expect to see other demons along this path. Like Evander, they would be unable to cross into the land of the living until sundown, but that didn't mean they couldn't travel throughout The Between as we had.

My steps faltered as I shuffled along. I had no idea how far I needed to travel, nor what direction. There were several paths that branched off from the one I traveled, but it all looked the same. Again, I trusted the shadows to steer me to the right choice.

Inky and Storm remained by my side, flowing in and out of various shapes as they moved. When they paused, I paused, wondering if they heard someone approaching or if I'd somehow taken a wrong turn.

Then I heard it. The sound I was sure would haunt my dreams for the rest of my life. The baying of a half-dog demon.

And there she was, sprinting down the Corridor directly for me.

My leg buckled as I tried to run, but the silky, cool grip of the shadows wrapped around me. I held my breath as they carried me, setting me back on my feet all too soon. Without sparing a glance for my pursuer, I hobbled as fast as I could down the tree-lined Corridor, knowing it would not be enough.

No sooner had the thought struck me than my shadow guards swooped in again. They held me for even less time, and I knew they were flagging. Still, if they could fight through the dregs of their strength, I could do the same. I bit back a cry as I launched into a full-on sprint, gliding in and out of the shadows like little bursts of speed.

Ani's growls grew louder, her footfalls closer, but I knew we stood a chance when I spied the beams of sunlight piercing the forest ahead.

Warmth seeped down my leg, and I knew without looking that I'd reopened my wound. The metallic scent of blood filled my nostrils. My chest burned and pain blossomed below my ribs, but I pushed on, imagining the feel of that sunlight on my face.

My shadows fell back, and I bid them a silent farewell as I tumbled to the ground and landed in a pool of sunlight.

I looked back at where I'd come from, but there was no trace of Ani, no trace of the Corridor or my shadow guards. I hoped they would tell Evander I'd made it. I wouldn't be able to find my way back without him.

The sun warmed my face just as I'd imagined. I couldn't believe I made it. I tipped my head back and closed my eyes, waiting for my heart to return to its normal rhythm.

Some time later, I startled awake, surprised to find the sun lower in the sky. I'd had no intention of drifting off, especially in the middle of a forest road. I sat up, feeling slightly dazed and more than a little disappointed to find I could still see out of only my right eye.

"All right, Miss?"

Lightning zipped through my body, and I repressed the instant urge to flee as I turned to find a modest coach and concerned footman.

"Yes," I said, pushing to my feet. With growing horror, I realized how much of my shadows were visible in my current ensemble. I brought my hand up to my forehead, not needing to feign the headache as I covered my face. "I must have fallen from my horse."

The young man looked relieved at my response until the door to the coach opened and a statuesque woman stepped out.

"Don't be a fool, Harold. Anyone can see the poor dear is in need of help." Though she spoke my language, her accent marked her as being from another territory. Perhaps I wasn't so far from home after all. "Please join me inside the carriage. I'll see that you're taken care of."

The woman's face was kind, but I couldn't shake the feeling that there was something off about her. Neither could I continue to await Evander in the middle of the forest while injured.

I curtsied graciously and the footman offered his arm to help me into the coach.

Once inside, I felt immediate shame at my appearance compared to the woman helping me. From afar, she'd been beautiful, but up close, she was beauty personified. Her unmarked skin was radiant in the sunlight. Rosy cheeks, full lips, and bright eyes played in perfect harmony upon her face. Her sunny, blonde hair was styled into an elegant coiffure, and her form fitting dress revealed she had all the desired curves as well. She seemed older than me but not old. Mature yet youthful. Ageless and timeless. An enigma made flesh.

I'd taken the rear-facing seat opposite her and regretted not sitting beside her as she leaned forward and fixed me with an all-seeing stare.

"It is you," she said, slapping her thigh. "I should have known." Twisting, she propped one leg on the seat beside her, and leaned back into the corner of the coach. She knocked against the carriage wall two times. There was a sharp command from the driver and we eased into motion.

I didn't know if I was more caught off guard by her informal posture or her words, but after several seconds of gawking, I found my tongue. "Do I know you?"

The woman scoffed. "I know it has been some time since I last visited you, Katrin, but I thought our first meeting was rather memorable."

"I'm sorry," I started, unsure why I was apologizing.

"I guess it has been over eight years now. I thought my parting gift would have made an impression," she said, running a pointed nail over the darkened side of my face.

I flinched away from her touch, brows creased as what she said sank in. " You marked me?" I gasped, taking in the woman before me with new eyes.

"Indeed, I did."

"But I thought Death—Behryn—marked me?"

"I know you did, silly girl, but that's all right." She waved me off with a flick of her bejeweled hand. "I'm blamed for everything. I don't mind him taking credit for this one thing."

My brow crinkled in confusion. "I don't understand. Who are you?"

She leaned forward as if sharing a secret, lowering her voice so that I was forced to sit forward as well to hear her. "Some people call me Fate, but you may call me Moira."

"Fate?" I sat back stunned, and she hummed her affirmation. "Why did you mark me?"

"Well, if you must know, Behryn insisted I do it when I revealed that you are destined to become Queen of the Afterworld."

"Excuse me?"

"An amazing destiny, if I do say so myself."

"But I don't want to be Queen of the Afterworld. I could never marry that monster." The thought alone had my stomach roiling.

Moira shrugged. "It is not for me to decide such things. Nor you, I'm afraid."

"So you've come here to warn me?"

Her answering laugh was a bubbling brook. "Not at all. There's no sense in warning you of something that can't be changed. I merely wanted to see what all the fuss was about."

"What fuss?"

"Don't you know?" Moira smiled conspiratorially. "Your presence at Tyr Anigh has caused quite a stir."

I shook my head. "What do you mean? My presence in The Between is known only by Evander and myself…" I trailed off. Clearly, if she was bringing it up, my stay there had not been the secret I thought it to be. Something I ought to have figured out between Death's Fangs and Ani. I dropped my head into my hands as the realization struck me.

"You do amuse, little Katrin."

It had been many years since anyone had called me little, but she seemed to say it with affection rather than condescension.

"How?"

"Behryn, of course. He came running to my door the moment he saw you with Evander."

"But he didn't see me. I was hidden." I thought back to that day and distinctly remembered Inky and Storm blocking me from view.

"Behind some shadows, I know. You have much to learn about demons, my dear." She leaned back, inspecting her nails as her words landed like physical blows.

"Death knows where I am."

"Not exactly."

"Explain," I snapped. Fate didn't balk at my tone, which was good because I was through apologizing for it.

"While it was foolish to think the shadows could hide you from Death, it seems they managed to help camouflage your mark. When His Highness came to me, he asked only about the mysterious woman staying with Evander. He sent me to investigate, not knowing you were the very girl I'd marked all those years ago."

I deflated as all the air whooshed out of my lungs. Abandoning decorum, I slumped in my seat, tipping my head back and closing my eyes. "He doesn't know it's me," I whispered the words that moments before had seemed impossible.

"He doesn't know yet ."

My head shot up, and I glared at the woman across from me. Her quicksilver eyes met mine, cold and assessing. Considering what I knew about Fate, I would need to proceed carefully.

"What is it that you want from me?" I asked slowly.

Moira inspected her nails. "There is nothing you could offer me that I don't already have. As it stands, I have no plans to alert the King to your true identity. It is not in the stars for me to do so. But do not think that means you are safe. Behryn has many in his employ, and it is only a matter of time before he learns the truth."

"That sounds like a warning."

"I suppose it is."

Cocking her head to the side, she regarded me thoughtfully. Her nose crinkled in distaste as her eyes flicked over my ruined dress and bandaged ankle. I ran a hand through my hair, fingers catching on the tangled mess. She lifted a hand and a sudden wind tore through the cabin. It pulled at my dress, making ribbons of satin. My hair whipped around me, and I lifted both of my arms to shield my face. Just as fast, it was gone.

"That's better," said Moira.

Tentatively, I lowered my arms, expecting to see her as wind-whipped as I felt. She rose, still the picture of grace and beauty, and shuffled toward the exit.

It was then I noticed the pain in my leg was gone. I looked down and gasped at the modest yet clean linen dress where there had just been rags. It was nowhere near as fine as Moira's garments, but it was free of dirt and grime. I didn't need the attention she surely commanded.

My fingers danced over the pewter fabric as if it would disappear beneath my touch. I lifted the skirt to confirm what I already knew. Gone was the filthy bandage and torn flesh. She had healed me.

"Wait!" I yelled after her. She turned, and I hurried to say what I could before I thought better of it. "If you marked me, can you take it away?"

Moira's brows pinched together as she tilted her head, regarding me like a cat sizing up its prey. "It is within my power to do so."

"Then will you? Please, I want no part of this."

"You cannot lie to me. Besides, the removal of your mark would do little to improve your situation, dear Katrin. Behryn will find you with or without it, and I think you'll find that bearing the mark has its advantages." I could only stare as she reached for the handle and opened the door. "This is your stop."

There was nothing remarkable about the place, but it was as good as any to disembark from this hell ride.

"Remember, Death is not bound by the constraints of night. You would do well to remain inside until your reaper can come for you."

With that advice, the carriage pulled away, leaving me stranded once again.