“Who are you?” She yanked her hair back into a ponytail while she studied him. There was something about him that drew her, something important that she should know, something so familiar she ached to be near him. They weren’t mates, but their connection felt just as deep and significant. The dangerous aura around him made it difficult to pinpoint what bothered her.
She tensed when he turned toward her, and her jaw dropped when she got her first look at his face. His eyes were a combination of silver and black, as if pure magic from the void filled him, the silver flecks seeming to move in their depths. As she watched, the colors separated until it looked like he had silver eyes, the black bleeding into the center until he had normal pupils.
Whatever he was, he was no longer human, and hadn’t been for a very long time.
“I’m a warden.” He straightened abruptly to his full height, making her jump back slightly.
She blinked, expecting to hear a name rather than an occupation, but curiosity got the best of her. She swallowed hard, not sure she wanted to know the answer. She knew of only one place that had wardens…prison. “A warden of what?”
His brows scrunched together, his expression telling her she was an idiot for even asking. “Of the void.”
“What is your name?”
“I—I don’t know.”
For the first time, he seemed so uncertain, so lost, she couldn’t stop herself from edging closer. While the urgent need to get back home rode her hard, a tiny bit of her felt responsible for this man. “What do you remember?”
He looked at her oddly, his eyes narrowing so dangerously, she instinctively pulled back. “You pulled me out of the void.”
“Not really.” She turned away to avoid the accusation and intensity in his eyes. “It was more like you latched onto me and shoved me out of the void.”
He took a step toward her. “You called to me, and I had no choice but to obey.”
And he didn’t appear happy about it.
“I did no such thing!” She went over her actions, worried that he could be right, that she might have accidently called him in her ignorance, but could recall nothing but the need to get back to the Academy. “I was thrust into the void against my will. I just wanted to return to the Academy. They’re under attack, and I need to return immediately.”
Too bad no one had bothered to teach her how to open a portal.
They said she was too inexperienced to work such complicated magic, that she needed to learn the basics first.
To hell with them.
She would not leave her men vulnerable, forced to face the battle on their own. She concentrated on the magic in her bones, pulling as much as she could to the surface. The runes that marked her back remained stone cold, as they had ever since the ritual designed to kill her failed. She suspected claiming the magic as her own made the volatile power retreat deeper inside her, claiming her as she’d claimed it.
The heat in her veins warmed, then grew to a simmer, but no matter how hard she concentrated on forming a portal, the magic refused to leave her body. She quickly became dizzy under the strain, her body practically sloshing with magic. It was too much, the heat now scorching. Only when she felt like she was being turned inside out did she accept defeat.
When she opened her eyes, the air in front of her shimmered, like sparklers were dripping down from the heavens…and she was trapped in the center of the bubble. She reached out, expecting heat, and couldn’t have been more surprised when, instead of pain, the sparks soaked into her skin with a hum of pleasure. The dizziness faded slowly as more and more of the tiny bursts of light drifted over her skin.
When the air cleared, she glanced over to see the warden staring at her with a look of concentration, and she knew he had prevented her from returning to help her men.
Morgan didn’t understand how he, a male, was able to use magic without becoming violently ill.
She didn’t see a talisman, nor did she sense any stored magic, either.
He was like no wizard she’d ever seen, which only deepened the mystery around him.
What exactly was he?
His face remained impassive, but his eyes whirled, giving away his emotions, part fierce concentration, the other part pure terror—probably at the thought of being pulled back into the void.
“What did you do?”
“You said the Academy is under attack. You might have tremendous power, but you’re not trained. In time, you might be able to counter my powers, but until then you must remain here. It’s not safe for you to return.”
“What right do you have to decide that?” Her cheeks heated as anger roared through her. “My mates are back at the school. They’re in trouble and need my help.”
“All the more reason for you to remain.” The infuriating man only shrugged, resolute in his decision. “If you go back, you will only put them in more danger.”
The metals of her rings and cuff liquefied, streaming down her hands until the familiar pommels of her blades formed in her palms. “You have no right.”
“You are of the noble bloodlines.” Interest darkened his eyes, but he appeared unconcerned at the threat.
“I’m a trained hunter.” She ignored his comment, secretly glad he didn’t guess exactly which noble bloodline she came from. “It is my job to keep others safe. Open the portal.”
It wasn’t a request.
“No. You’re not trained, and your magic work is sloppy. It’s too dangerous for you to venture into the void without proper training.”
“It’s hard to learn when everyone associated with the void is dead.”
He appeared startled, his eyes beginning to swirl until they resembled the void once more. She could practically feel the magic radiate from him. “Explain.”
The urgency of his demand caused her to jerk back, and she dropped into a fighting stance, automatically bringing up her blades. Only when he didn’t advance did she allow herself to straighten. “I’m sorry, but I can’t help you. I don’t know anything about the primordial realm.”
“But you’re obviously of noble birth, a descendent from one of the twelve great families.” His eyebrows lowered ominously.
“The fact that people keep saying it doesn’t make it true.” She was coming to hate her bloodlines. “My mother was the last of her line. She died trying to save me, ripping open a portal to hide me in the human world, only I lost my memory when I passed through the void. As far as anyone else is concerned, the bloodlines of the gods are extinct except for the king’s, and I would like to keep it that way.”
Which was technically correct.
He didn’t need to know she happened to be part of the king’s bloodline.
He appeared stunned by the information.
“Send me back.” She kept her voice soft, not quite pleading, and allowed her blades to melt back to simple jewelry.
“No, your presence will only distract them. They will needlessly risk their lives to keep you from harm.” The stubborn man shook his head. “You know I’m right.”
“I’m trained as a warrior, an asset. I can help protect them.”
He thought about it, then shook his head. “They are not worth the loss of your life.”
Morgan was so frustrated by his reply, she stormed away, unable to be near him without giving into the urge to smack him.
“Your mates wouldn’t want you to put yourself in danger. They will come for you when they are able.”
He was partially right. Her guys would move heaven and earth to find her, but the last thing she wanted was for them to enter the primordial realm.
They nearly didn’t survive the last time.
No, she needed to find a way to get back. But first, she needed to stop wasting time feeling helpless, like she was failing them by not being there to guard their backs. Her energy would be better spent getting home.
A vicious howl echoed in the trees, and Morgan whirled. The menace in the sound scattered any thoughts of heading out on her own as self-preservation took over. She’d foolishly allowed her anger to control her, temporarily forgetting the dangers of the primordial realm and the many people here who wanted her dead.
“Run.” The warden grabbed her arm, nearly jerking her off her feet as he dragged her toward the woods.
Morgan didn’t hesitate and did as instructed. “What’s after us?”
“Hunters.” His voice was grim, and Morgan stared at him curiously.
“What are they hunting?”