They sting, piercing the skin, right through our garments. ‘Jarrod, do something!’
He screams back, ‘What, Kate! How do I fight this?’
I shield my eyes while trying to look up at him, pleading with him to realise his gift and use its powers. ‘You can stop this, Jarrod! Reach inside!’
He stares at me, open-mouthed, his head shaking. ‘I don’t know how …’
He can’t help. It’s what Rhauk wants, to see for himself, to measure Jarrod’s weakness.
I glance up quickly to see if there’s any end in sight to the silver rain. I try to tell myself it’s just magic, it’s just an illusion, but blood is now staining my long-sleeved tunic and my scalp is stinging from the needles lodged there. There is so much silver light the entire room is glowing with this strange unnatural energy. And in this moment of understanding I realise that Rhauk will stop at nothing to have his revenge. A revenge on his half-brother for stealing the girl he loved, and his deceased father for not acknowledging his rightful heritage. He will even resort to murder, if Jarrod or I stand in his way.
I hate him for this. And I can’t just stand here and do nothing, letting Rhauk get it all his own way. Jarrod may not be in a position to use his gift, but nothing is stopping me. So, not thinking of the risks I take exposing my knowledge of magic to this dangerous man, I straighten in the face of the shower of silver needles and lay my arms gently by my side. I concentrate deeply, slowing my breathing and trying to ignore the stinging pain. In my mind I see the silver projectiles change into harmless shapes, their pointed ends softening, curving, moulding, floating.
Before I’m even aware that my trick has worked, I hear Jarrod’s sharp intake of breath. Opening my eyes, I blink to clear my vision, put my hands out and watch, unable to stop a smile forming as, instead of the shower of silver needles, hundreds of white dove feathers drift around me, collecting in my open palms.
When I look up, I realise sickeningly, that I’ve just made a fatal error. I’ve shown Rhauk something of my own powers. And now he will want me more than ever. The joy is written in his face. He starts clapping, ecstatically, both eyebrows rising half into his forehead.
When he stops clapping he walks over and stands directly in my space, grinning, his eyes sparkling. ‘We will make a formidable couple, you and I, Lady Katherine.’
I shake my head wordlessly and step backwards, avoiding eye contact.
He simply laughs. ‘Yes. Imagine it – your power and mine! The world will be ours. Who would dare! No one could better us!’
From my side Jarrod flinches. ‘She’s not staying with you!’
Rhauk stares at Jarrod. ‘In the end she will choose. To be fair, Jarrod, Kate must have an understanding of what could be hers, of what I can give her. She must glimpse both worlds.’ He shifts his focus back to me quickly, catching my eyes before I have a chance to look away. His voice is velvet again, hypnotic. ‘Will you stay, Lady Katherine? Kate? Here, with me, at Blacklands?’
Jarrod stares at me, a kind of shocked look on his face. He’s wondering why I haven’t answered yet. Why I haven’t given an abrupt ‘No’ to Rhauk’s outrageous proposal. He doesn’t understand that when Rhauk’s hypnotic eyes bore into mine, when Rhauk’s overwhelming energy swamps my senses, I can’t easily break this hold. And right now the pressure is intense. I blink several times quickly, it helps to draw me away from him. Finally the spell of his hold releases me.
I glance up at Jarrod, mentally drained, and say softly, ‘Take me home.’
He grabs my elbow, supporting me. ‘You heard her decision, Rhauk. Let us out.’
As the heavy wooden door creaks open, the black crow squawks and flies straight between us so that we have to duck to the side, coming to rest on Rhauk’s extended elbow. It’s eerie how it seems to look at us with scorn. I don’t have time to think about this, I just want to get out. The darkened staircase is so close now, allowing us a route of escape. Just before we reach it, Rhauk’s voice washes through us, chillingly, ‘You leave me no choice, my Lady …’
I make my feet keep moving, though nothing can stop his words, as they chase us down the staircase. ‘I will have to come for you.’ My entire body starts shaking, his words an ominous warning. ‘Watch the darkness, for I will be the shadow, coming for you.’ And then, in a hushed sort of whisper, ‘Sleep tight, my Lady.’
Sure. Just the thought of staying in Blacklands overnight with Rhauk terrifies me. At last in the bailey, I can’t hear his words any more, but the image of his eyes, small, black and cold, remains vividly clear. I wonder if I will ever sleep again.