Cursed Mate (Shadow Guild: The Rebel 5)

“Eve’s raven visited me, then flew off toward the guild tower, as if it was leading me there.”

“That’s weird.”

“Yeah. Why doesn't she see it?”

Mac shrugged. “Maybe she’s lying. I’ve wondered about that. Or maybe it’s not really hers. It’s only been around about a year.”

“What?” I flashed a look at her. “Only a year?”

She nodded. “Showed up one day, but she never saw it. So maybe it’s just attracted to her Fae energy.”

“What do you mean, ‘Fae energy?’”

“They’re earth Magica, for the most part. Connected to the life force of the earth. Animals, plants, all of that. It’s one reason why Eve is so good with potions. So maybe that’s what the raven likes.”

“Weird to be followed by a magical animal you can’t see.”

“Very.”

We reached the abandoned courtyard in front of our tower. Morning sunlight gleamed on the flowers filling the ramshackle space. It looked vastly better than when we’d discovered the tower a couple weeks ago. The plants had grown, green and bright, climbing up the remains of the pedestal upon which the statue of Councilor Rasla had stood.

Mac gestured to the wild garden. “I think this is Seraphia’s work, don’t you?”

I nodded. Our librarian friend had some kind of power over plants, though she never mentioned it. We never asked. The topic felt off limits.

The stone statue of the bastard who’d nearly destroyed the Shadow Guild in the seventeenth century was now gone, blasted into rubble, but his shadow remained. I’d been obsessed since I’d learned of him. Why had he done such terrible things to the Shadow Guild, all but destroying it and wiping it from the city’s memory?

A bird’s shriek sounded from the tower, and I spotted the raven sitting on the roof.

“There’s your buddy.” Mac tilted her head. “Does it seem a little different?”

I shrugged. “Maybe.”

The raven launched itself into the air and swooped toward me. For the longest moment, I felt like I recognized the gleam in its eye.

Weird.

I shook my head and walked toward the door. Mac came with me, and we unlocked the heavy wooden thing. Pushing it open, I revealed the newly spotless room. After all our elbow grease, it looked gorgeous. The stone walls almost sparkled, and the large hearth looked inviting.

My gaze landed on the heavy wooden chair that sat next to the hearth. Cordelia had dragged it into the front room last week, and I’d avoided it ever since.

Mac caught me looking at it. “That’s the leader’s chair, you know. Every guild has one.”

She’d told me that before, about a week ago. Apparently, she felt the need to repeat it. Probably because I’d ignored her the first time, pretending to be distracted. I studied the beautifully carved wood. It was an impressive thing, far too good for me.

“You haven’t sat in it yet,” Mac said. “In fact, you’ve hardly mentioned being leader at all.”

I swallowed hard.

That’s because I don’t feel ready. Or worthy.

“All we’ve done is clean

this place,” she continued, her gaze knowing.

“Spit it out, Mac.” She was beating around the bush. I knew her well enough by now to be able to spot it.

“We chose you as leader because it was the obvious choice. You saved this place. And I’m not saying you’re being negligent in your duties or anything, just that I’ve noticed you shying around that chair like it’s going to bite you.”