Page 135 of Death of a Mortal

“Well…I know I have the element of fire and some variation of light. And when I get mad and lose control, I emit…shadows and smoke.”

He studied me the way a predator studies its prey from afar. “And has your vey form emerged yet?”

“I…” Malvina had said I was elemental, Umbrathren,andVeythryn. Maybe she was right after all. “I don’t think so. I mean, I erupted in flames and shadows, but I thought that was just my elements out of control.”

I thought again of the king’s Pyrrath form and shuddered.

“I do not think that you are a Pyrrath.”

I audibly sighed in relief, even though I had the uncomfortable feeling that he knew what I had been thinking. “Then what is my vey form?”

He gave a sinister smile. “I have my suspicions. But we shall see in due time.”

Well, that was exactly zero percent helpful.

“Okay, what can you tell me about the light element? During the test with Bramick, I—”

“I know about your light trial. I do not believe it is an elemental ability you possess in this case. If you’ll please give me your hand, I should like to confirm my assumptions.”

I hesitated when he reached his hand across the table toward me. But I wanted to know—neededto know—so I placed my hand in his upturned palm, and he closed his eyes.

A tingling sensation spread from where our hands connected, up my arm and into my heart, as if my magic was reacting to his touch.

He opened his eyes and smiled wider as he sat back, releasing my hand. “As I thought. You’re an Umbrathren, Naci. But I suspect you already knew that.”

I did, but I still didn’t like it. Not when it made this male so giddy.

It made me think back to the conversation Nella and I overheard in the barn. Those men had sounded terrified when they said theking had Umbrathrens by his side. Would I be feared, persecuted, hated if people knew I was one too?

Would I be seen as just as bad, just as evil as the cruel king that slaughtered mortals, including Nella? Surely not…but I couldn’t help the spiraling thoughts or the overwhelming sadness.

He pressed on without an answer. “The shadows, the tendrils, the smoke, and what happened during your trial—they are shadow magic. Your Umbrathren ability—your umbra magic. Shadows are a magic that is considered dark and dangerous. It can corrupt someone who steeps too deeply into the magic. They can forget who they are. Forget how to feel.”

That was already happening when I lost control. Is that what the beast in my heart is? Shadow magic? I swallowed hard, trying to keep the panic at bay.

“What do you feel when the shadows come to you?” he asked.

“I feel…like there’s this creature in my chest that takes over and feeds on rage. I can feel it react to strong emotions. It makes me…want to hurt people.”

His predatory gaze dropped to my chest, making me want to cover myself.

“Is that what a vey form is like?” I asked. “Like a living thing that’s part of you? Could that be my vey?”

Gods, I hoped not. I was scared enough of this beast controlling me, but to become it? The thought gave me chills.

“I do not believe it is your vey form. But it is curious indeed.” He got up, walked to a bookshelf, and started looking for a book. “It’s been said that shadows are a living entity, which is why they are not considered elemental in nature. There have been shadow wielders over the years who have been unfortunate and unable to control them. Ah.” He plucked a book from the topmost shelf and set it on the table.

The black, peeling leather had only two words embossed in red on the front.Nox Incineram. I’d seen this book before. The image of my bookshop in Briarstead flooded my mind, recalling the day withFadric in the alleyway. I’d opened this book for a moment that day. I rememberedfeelingthe book, as if it was pulsing and alive.

What would a book like this be doing in the library of a mortal town?

“I should like you to read this book. It will guide you in attempting to control the shadows. And Naci? I highly suggest you make friends with that beast in your heart. Your life, and others’, could depend on it.”

That was sinister and terrifying. I slid the book into my lap and immediately didn’t like the way it felt. It felt dark, as if it had its own intentions.

“And what about your new vision?”

His question surprised me. “How did you know about that?” I hadn’t told anyone yet. This male gave me the sense that he knew way more than he let on—I needed to find out what his umbra abilities were.