The Hunter and the Mage (The Raven and the Dove #2) - Kaitlyn Davis Page 0,41

sky does fall—"

"Will be revealed the one who will save you all," Lyana finished softly, her heart lurching painfully in her chest. "You think the isles will fall?"

"I know they will. It’s only a matter of when and how."

She swayed on her feet and gripped the bannister to keep upright, dizzy as she thought of all those people in her world above, living in ignorant bliss, unaware of how close to disaster they teetered. Could what he was saying be true? Could it possibly be real? And if it was, what did that mean for the home of endless skies and wings and freedom she held so dear?

"Why should I believe you?"

"If you want proof, I can give it to you. Take my hand."

She did, no argument left in her body.

"Open yourself up to your magic, and let me guide you."

They brought their power to the surface at the same time, a golden aura surrounding their joined hands, so beautiful, so divine she had to believe it came from her gods. Malek pushed with his magic, and she followed, extending her awareness and reaching toward the city before them. The onslaught of burdened souls hit immediately, so forceful she staggered back, nearly falling if he hadn’t been there to steady her.

"Harden your heart and think beyond them," Malek instructed.

Lyana tried not to care, not to crumble, but she was buried in the avalanche of so many aching human souls. Her vision grew spotted, the scene shifting in and out of focus, gold then black then gold, her power too slippery to control.

"Lyana!" He dug his nails into her palm, the bite bringing her back. "Push your mind past the city, into the ocean and the sky, into the fibers of the world. And you'll feel it."

"Feel what?"

"The door."

She tried, digging deeper into her strength, forcing her magic to listen and move beyond the bounds of the city, to ignore the cries and search the mist for wounds instead. But it was impossible to focus her mind and drown out the noise.

"Let me lead you," Malek urged. "Stop fighting me."

"I'm not."

"You are. You always are."

Maybe her soul was too used to rebellion, to independence. She liked to lead, not to follow, but this was uncharted territory. His power pressed into her skin, tugging on her spirit, willing her to relent. Though it went against her every instinct, she finally gave in.

Instantly, Malek wrapped his power around hers, fusing their two magics together so their spirits shot across the night, racing farther than her eyes could even see. She had no control, no will. He commanded it all. They were within the mist, within the ocean, carving between sea and sky, then deeper still, into the water and into the air, into that invisible substance binding all the elements together, the beating heart of the earth. And there, surrounded by spirit, she felt it—the gaping absence, the void, a dark stain on an otherwise glittering world, not a shadow but something empty, completely vacant of all life.

He released the magic and they snapped back to the present.

"What was that?"

"The door," he said darkly. "It's a rift between worlds, a fissure we need to seal before it swallows us whole."

"How?"

"The same way we might heal any other wound—with patience, and control, and precision."

Lyana frowned, aware of the chiding undertone to his words. "The three things I lack?"

"The three things you'll learn," he said gently, the hint of a smile on his lips. "If you stop fighting and let me teach you."

"I don't want to be cooped up in a room all day long, staring at bowls, willing something to happen." He opened his mouth to retort, but she lifted a hand to stop him. "Please, Malek, it drives me mad. Take me out into the city. Introduce me to your people. Show me their magic. Open my eyes so I can see, like you did tonight. Some lessons, yes, and I will do my best to pay attention. But I'm not like you. I can't be focused all the time. I need some space to breathe."

"A compromise?"

"If that's what you want to call it."

He took a deep breath, studying her until a bright spark lit his stormy eyes, like a break in the clouds. "We have a deal."

13

Malek

She was more infuriating than he'd ever imagined, yet so much more exciting too. It had been a long time since anyone dared question him, a long time since he'd allowed it. Part of him wished