Shadow Study. Maria V. Snyder

Onyx’s stall and the black horse trotted out. After he extinguished the lantern, Valek disappeared into the blackness.

      I lay there listening for any sounds. My shoulder and left arm throbbed. Each inhalation caused a sharp stab of pain in my chest. To ease the discomfort, I pulled a thin thread of magic from the blanket of power that encompassed the world. A mental picture of the injury formed when I focused on the wound. My clavicle had been broken. The arrow had sliced through my muscles on impact, and the metal barbs in the arrow’s head had ripped chunks of skin when Kiki had yanked it out. Lovely. I used the ribbon of power to lessen the pain—a temporary measure.

      Once more sending my awareness into the surrounding forest, I kept a light contact with the nocturnal creatures. Too bad my bat friend was hibernating over the cold season. His unique senses would have helped with finding the assassin in the dark. The wildlife conducted their nightly hunt of food and showed no signs of agitation—not even from Valek. His immunity to magic prevented me from keeping track of him. I hoped he stayed sharp.

      As time passed without incident, I wondered who had attacked me. That line of thought didn’t go far as all I could deduce at this point was the person was a magician who had the power to form a null shield, who favored a bow and arrow, and who might have an affinity with animals. Either that or he/she was really quiet and had masked his/her smell.

      Unfortunately, pondering why I was attacked generated a longer list. As the official Liaison between the Commander of the Territory of Ixia and the Sitian Council, I’d created at least a dozen political and criminal enemies in the past six years. As the heart mate of Valek, the infamous Ixian assassin, for the past eight years I’d been a target for anyone who hated Valek, which included most of Sitia and probably hundreds of Ixians. As a magician and Soulfinder, I made many people nervous, worrying that I’d turn rogue. These people were under the mistaken impression that I could create a soulless army when in fact all I did was find lost souls and guide them to either an eternity of peace in the sky or an eternity of suffering in the fire world, depending on their deeds while alive.

      A slight squish jolted me from my thoughts. Careful of my injury, I sat up and swung my legs over the bales of straw. Then I slid off. Better to stand and fight than be caught lying down. The darkness outside was one hue lighter than inside due to the faint moonlight. It illuminated just enough to see shapes.

      I kept alert for any movement, peering through the door. When Kiki stepped between me and the entrance, I startled. Even though she was sixteen hands high she could be really quiet. Her back was taller than me and she blocked my view. Granted, I reached only five feet four inches, but she was a big girl like most Sandseed horses.

      A few more squishes set my heart to beat in double time. I tightened my grip on my switchblade.

      Ghost, Kiki said, moving away.

      I sagged against the bales. A Valek-shaped shadow strode into the stable. He lit the lantern. One look at his grim expression and I knew he’d lost the assassin’s trail.

      “The guy’s a pro,” he said. “He used magic to erase his footprints. They just stopped. And without leaves on the bushes, it’s harder to track him, especially at night. I’ll go out again in the daylight.”

      “He? How do you know?”

      “Big boots, deep prints. We can discuss it later. Let’s go inside and take care of you.”

      “Kiki first.” And before he could argue, “She saved my life. If she hadn’t moved, the arrow would have pierced my heart.”

      Valek’s shoulders dropped. Knowing I wouldn’t leave, he worked fast. He removed her saddle and knocked the dried mud off her legs and stomach. After he cleaned out her hooves, she walked into her stall and munched on hay.

      “Guess she’s happy enough,” Valek said, tossing the pick into a bucket. “Now, let’s get you warm and dry, love.”

      I removed my muddy cloak and left it on the bales before I wrapped my right arm around Valek’s shoulders. He wanted to carry me, but I worried he might jar the broken bone out of alignment and I wouldn’t have enough strength to heal it.

      The sharp pain returned by the time we reached the house. I made it as far as the couch. A bright fire burned in the hearth and a bottle of wine sat on the end table with two glasses and a plate of cheese. Valek must have arrived a few hours before me.

      Tilting my head at the food, I said, “That’s lovely.”

      “We’ll indulge after you’re healed and rested. Do you want to change first?”

      Just the thought of moving my left arm hurt. “No.”

      “Then what are you waiting for?”

      “A kiss. I haven’t seen you in months.”

      Valek transformed when he smiled. The sharp angles of his face softened and warmth radiated from him. He leaned forward and pressed his lips to mine. Before I could deepen the kiss he pulled back.

      “No more until you’re better.”

      “Meanie.”

      “Yelena.” His stern tone would have made my mother proud.

      “All right.” I reclined on the couch and closed my eyes.

      Reaching for the power blanket, I gathered a thick thread of magic. I wound this ribbon around my broken clavicle, fusing the two pieces back together. A second thread knitted the muscles and a third replaced skin. The effort exhausted me. Drained dry, I passed out.

      * * *

      By the time I woke, afternoon sunlight flooded the living area. Besides the green plaid couch, a couple of oversize nubby brown armchairs and a matching love seat made a semicircle in front of the hearth. In the center, a dark brown deep-pile rug covered the floor—soft on the feet and...other body parts.

      All that remained of the fire was ashy coals and half-burned logs. The wine and glasses waited—a promise for later. No sounds emanated from the rest of the cottage, but moving without a sound was second nature for Valek. I called his name just in case. No response.

      I opened my mind to Kiki. Is everything okay? I asked.

      Quiet. Nap time, she said.

      If the horses could sleep, then all should be well. Ghost?

       Out. Woods.

      My left shoulder and upper chest ached. The muscles would be sore for a few days. I sat up and examined the wound. Purple bruises surrounded an angry red circle. Another scar to add to my collection. I’d stopped counting three...or was it four injuries ago? Stretching with care, I tested my range of motion. Not bad.

      The cold had soaked into my bones. My blanket had fallen to the floor. A hot soak in the tub should cure it in no time.

      Stiff with blood and poison, my shirt reeked. All the more reason to bathe. But first a quick check of the rest of the cottage. It wouldn’t take long. I palmed my switchblade, but didn’t trigger the blade.

      The ground floor consisted of a living area, kitchen and washroom. The living area spanned the left half of the cottage while the kitchen and washroom occupied the right half. The hearth sat in the middle of the building so all the rooms could share its warmth.

      I peered into the kitchen. A layer of dust covered the table and chairs, but the wash sink, cold storage box and water jugs had been cleaned. Nothing appeared out of place.

      The washroom’s entrance was to the right of the hearth. I smiled. Valek had filled the large water tank near the back wall. Hot coals glowed underneath—one of the benefits of having a stone floor. I tested the water with my finger. Almost perfect.

      I climbed the stairs to the single bedroom in the loft. Our cottage was too small for company, another excellent reason to own it.

      My red-silk robe and clean clothes had been spread out on the king-size bed. Valek had been busy. I resisted the urge to check