Thornhill Academy (By Sheridan Hartin) novel Chapter 191

Chapter 191

Rhaziel

CICA

a 50

The moment I returned to my realm, the shadows were moving. They curled at my ankles like restless hounds, whispering every point on the map my Hummingbird marked. I spent hours-no, not hours, minutes-correcting the fractures formed in my absence. I attended councils. Signed decrees. Reforged boundaries. Then I assembled an army for her. Soldiers old and young, demons of all kinds came prepared and willing, all to march when she calls. It was barely even a question asked. When I sent word out that their Queen was in danger, they flooded in, honoured to lay down their lives for her. I spent the better part of my time informing people about the council’s plans, gathering more information, and preparing my own plans for defence and war. All for our Queen.

Only when everything is in motion does the ache in my chest sharpen enough to force my hand. The bracelet she enchanted for me pulses once… twice… then flares so brightly the gem heats against my skin. She is in pain. Not physical, or I would feel the sharpness of it-No, this is internal. A deeply set, internal pain. Pain that I cannot rip apart with my bare hands.

A snarl rips from my throat.

‘I’m going,” I growl to the shadows and demons, and then I tear through the realms-folding the void open, slipping between the ribs of worlds-and drop into the mortal plane at the closest point on her map. Her scent hits me before my feet touch the ground. A distinctly wild magic that is her. The shack is barely standing-leaning walls, a patchwork roof, dust and old blood in the air. It should offend me. It should anger me. Instead, my shadows bow, because

they recognise her first. Before my form fully materialises, they surge ahead, swarming the tiny space like they are starving. The moment I solidify, I find her on the floor, in Evander’s arms, breathing too quickly and eyes too bright. Everything in me-everything-breaks. I cross the room in one breath. Evander barely has time to blink before I scoop her out of his lap and into mine. I lift her easily, unbothered by the space or the startled noise she makes as

her legs leave the ground. My arms lock around her. My face buries itself in her neck. Her scent slams into me like a weapon. Alive. Warm. Mine.

“Hummingbird,” I rasp.

Her sigils flare bright-lightning striking beneath her skin-and her arms wrap around my waist, clutching me with a desperation that makes my heart

stagger.

“I missed you,” she whispers into my chest.

My entire world resets.

“I missed you too,” I murmur, my voice gone soft in a way no one but her will ever get. “Far more than I should have allowed.”

I smooth a hand over her hair, then down her back, checking, memorising, confirming every inch of her. My shadows and my tail do their own sweep, roving

along her skin in a silent, possessive dance. No broken bones. No torn flesh. No blood…But there is pain. The bracelet on my wrist glows again, and I grit

my teeth. So. The others did not fail her physically. Good. They may live.

I lift my head, eyes rising over her crown of hair to the rest of the room. Cassian sits in the corner mixing a potion with clinical precision, shoulders taut, jaw locked tight, his gaze flicking toward her with every sound she makes. Kael is skinning a deer on the floor with suspicious enthusiasm and far too little shame. Evander watches me with careful patience, protective but not territorial.

A competent group of mates. A dangerous group. I approve. Allison shifts slightly in my arms, and my attention snaps instantly back to her-always back to

her.

“You’re unharmed,” I say, narrowing my eyes. “So why did my bracelet say you were panicking?”

1

Her mouth opens, but she hesitates.

1/3

17:43 TN, Jan 1

10

Chapter 191

Age in my chest pas de coast outrun Memories I can not punch in the face. My shadows lash out instinctively.

Nisansa sa ating box chin so I can see her eyes. “Tell me who hurt you, and I will bring you their heads.”

She gives me a small exhausted smile

that don’t reach ber eves-and busies her face against me again,

a long time ago. Cha

She say my name Re that the softness, the trust forces my tage to simmer instead of explode, I exhale once, steadying the storm under my ribs.

Still I murmur into hot bait. “I intend to destro dom

She has a zis hugh

Then I shaghten and look toward the door.

Samenne else missed you too, I tell her.

She nimis. “Mhr-

sand men on cue but very familiar voice bursts from the shadows behind me.

ALLISON HUES, F YOU EVER OSPPEAR FROM THE FACE OF THE PLANES WITHOUT TELLING ME AGAIN, I AM STEALING YOUR SHOES, YOUR

EXTERUSE AND YOUR FATORITE MIG-AND IN BRINGING THE REST OF THE DEMON REALM WITH ME!

VERIFYCAPTCHA_LABELVerify