The figure's gaze was like ice pressing against Thalen's skull. Even across the courtyard, he felt its presence crawl under his skin.
The Shadowkin around it moved differently — sharper, more coordinated, as if its will guided them like puppets.
Serenya grabbed Thalen's arm. "Stay behind me."
"No," he said, surprising even himself. "They're after me. If I run, they'll just follow."
Finn's eyes narrowed. "I hate that you're probably right."
The leader began to walk forward. Every step it took made the tear behind it shudder and pulse, spilling more shadow into the world. The frost spreading over the courtyard floor hissed and cracked under the boots of the defenders.
An instructor — a broad-shouldered orc mage — stepped into the leader's path, hurling a wall of flame. The fire washed over the figure… and simply vanished, sucked into its body like smoke into a void.
Then the orc crumpled, his life drained in an instant.
Thalen's stomach twisted.
You cannot fight him like this. The voice again, deep and urgent. Let me help.
I don't even know who you are, Thalen thought.
You know enough.
The leader finally stopped ten paces away, shadow curling off him like steam. His voice was like gravel dragged over stone.
"Firstborn."
The word struck Thalen like a blow. He gripped his spear tighter. "I'm not—"
"You will come with me," the figure interrupted, "or your friends will die."
As if on cue, two Shadowkin slipped behind Serenya and Finn, blades of condensed shadow forming in their hands.
Thalen's grip tightened. He didn't think. He moved.
Lightning burst from his palm, racing across the ground in jagged arcs. The Shadowkin screamed — an awful, inhuman sound — and dissolved into mist.
The leader tilted his head, studying him. "Ah. You have not awakened. That… explains much."
Thalen stepped forward, heart pounding. "I'm not going anywhere with you."
For the first time, the figure moved quickly — a blur of darkness that closed the distance in a heartbeat. A clawed hand lashed out.
Thalen barely managed to block with the spear, the force jarring his arms. He staggered back, sparks skittering along the weapon's shaft where the claws scraped it.
Serenya was suddenly beside him, sword flashing, but the leader swatted her aside as though she weighed nothing. She hit the ground hard, groaning.
Finn's daggers struck from behind — but the leader simply dissolved into mist, reappearing an instant later directly in front of Thalen.
Now, the voice roared inside his skull. Call me, or you will die.
Thalen's chest heaved. Fine.
The world seemed to slow. Power flooded his veins — not like the bursts before, but a tidal wave, hot and alive. Symbols of blinding silver spun into existence around his hands, orbiting him like planets. His vision sharpened, the edges of the world glowing faintly.
The leader's eyes narrowed. "Ah. There you are."
Thalen thrust his hand forward. The air between them cracked open, spilling light — and a beam like a spear of dawn slammed into the leader, driving him back across the courtyard. The tear behind him shuddered violently.
The Shadowkin shrieked as the light touched them, evaporating in bursts of white mist.
But the leader was still standing, smoke curling from his armor. He raised a hand, and the ground beneath Thalen cracked. A chain of black energy shot up, wrapping around his arm and chest, yanking him forward.
Pain flared, white-hot. The voice in his head snarled. Break it!
Thalen focused — the silver symbols around him spun faster, then shattered outward like shards of glass. The chain dissolved, and he staggered free, gasping.
The leader stared at him for a long moment. Then — impossibly — he smiled.
"This is only the beginning, Firstborn."
He stepped backward into the tear. The remaining Shadowkin followed, and with a sound like a thunderclap, the rift sealed shut.
The courtyard was silent except for the ragged breathing of the defenders. Frost melted into puddles across the stone.
Thalen swayed, the glow fading from his hands. Finn caught him before he hit the ground.
"You," Finn said, "have got to stop doing things that make people want to kidnap you."
Serenya limped over, eyes sharp. "That wasn't just an attack. They were testing you."
Thalen looked at the place where the rift had been, a cold knot settling in his gut.
"Then I think I failed their test," he said quietly. "Because now they know exactly what I am."