Captured (Shadow Guild Hades & Persephone #3) - Linsey Hall Page 0,30

me when the first of the Night Wolves appeared.

At the sight of the large gray animal, relief surged through me. The dark gray beast growled and crouched low at my side, his massive body poised to attack. His fur ruffled at his neck, and his muzzle pulled back from glittering white fangs.

“Thank you,” I murmured.

One of the dark shadows charged, and the Night Wolf lunged at it, colliding in a blur of fur and shadow.

More Night Wolves appeared. Prowling around my legs, they growled and gazed into the forest around me. Shadows flashed between the trees, taunting my wolves.

Then they charged. Though their forms appeared to be ephemeral, made of mist and magic, I caught sight of very real looking fangs.

My army collided with them, snarls and growls sounding around me. Ahead, Echo picked up the pace, flying faster. I ran after him, lungs burning as I plowed through the snow. The fight continued behind me as the Night Wolves battled to keep the shadows away. The fight passed by in a blur as I followed my senses. Something dragged me forward, a deep knowledge that what I sought was ahead.

Finally, I spotted the ancient oak. It was tiny and withered, without a single leaf. The entire thing was coated in ice, and it reminded me of the terrible havoc that Chronos was wreaking on earth.

This was different, however. I didn’t feel Chronos here.

No, it was just me, and this ice was not his.

Echo flitted around the tree, and I raced up to it, catching sight of the warm glow deep at the base of it—almost like something was trapped inside.

My magic.

It was trapped in this tree.

I fell to my knees at the base of the oak, pressing my hands to the trunk. The ice burned my skin, but I didn’t remove my hands. My power pulsed inside the tree like a second heartbeat, and I ached to get it back. I couldn’t melt the ice—I didn’t have that ability—but there had to be some way to get my power out.

I looked up at the twisted, barren branches that stretched overhead. They glittered in the dim light, the ice like a coating of diamonds.

From behind, I could hear the wolves still fighting, protecting me.

Hurry.

I drew a deep breath and reached for my magic, feeling it deep within the tree. The heartbeat of it matched my own. The glow grew stronger, a warm, bright red.

“Come to me,” I murmured.

The magic flared, and I smiled, pulling it toward me. I could feel it like it was my own, and as I called to it, the glow moved closer to the surface of the tree. The ice around the branches began to melt, dripping coldly onto my head. The snow around me turned to slush.

Despite the freezing water, I didn’t move. The magic came closer and closer, the tree slowly thawing.

Excitement thrummed in me as I watched the glow rise from the base of the tree and move into my chest. I gasped, the power making me go stiff. It felt like a whirlwind inside me. A tornado.

Pain surged, fierce and bright, like the new magic was going to tear me apart.

Just like Hades said.

But I was strong enough. He’d taught me how to control this.

Aching, I drew a shuddery breath and focused on the magic that threatened to tear me apart. It surged within me, but I got ahold of it, forcing it deep down inside myself. I remembered Hades’ hand on my shoulder, his power guiding me, and I used it to control of the new power that raced through my veins.

Shaking, I leaned against the tree, sweat dripping down my spine.

Though the tree had thawed, it still felt dead beneath my hands.

That wouldn’t do.

I straightened, the magic now mostly under control, and pressed my palms to the rough bark. This tree had kept my magic safe for years, until I was strong enough to handle it. I owed it.

Carefully, I fed my magic into the tree, bringing it back to life. Green buds appeared at the tips of the branches, then transformed into leaves. All around, the snow had melted. Spring had come.

When the tree looked hale and healthy, I stood on shaky legs and turned around.

The Night Wolves watched me, each one standing in a line. They’d defeated the shadows, which were nowhere to be seen, and the pine trees that soared overhead were green and bright, no longer covered by snow.

“I think I’m done here,” I said.

As soon