Empress of the Gods

Storm shadow

The light of the moon covered the cobblestone path on the streets where some driadaes walked. Only a few small firepits, that were the size of the lanterns like the ones they threw into the sky, lightened their path in the calm night. The noises that could be heard mostly came from the tavern in the next corner, but far from that, he could only hear the waves of the ocean and some other night animals that wandered out there.

The dark alley, his black attire, and his shadows covered him as if he were invisible, and he preferred it that way. He felt comfortable being in the dark, as if he was made for it. His favorite part of the day was when the sky turned to a dark blue, putting small lights in the sky that he never got tired of admiring.

Storm shadow was waiting for Midnight whisper with his arms folded as he leaned his arm to the wall of the house, facing the street. He knew Midnight was on the roof. He noticed when she arrived, but he didn’t say a word. He knew she tried to watch around them, making sure no one followed her.

Being an assassin from Blackfall meant being followed all the time. A measure Rahir took to have control over every member of his guild, but most of the time he kept an eye on him and Midnight, since he didn’t trust either of them.

Storm handled the assassin that followed him as the one who was following Midnight, only she didn’t know that, and she didn’t have to.

Even if Midnight was one of the best in Blackfall, she still had a lot to learn. The truth was, he was covering his ass and not hers because having those short meetings with her put everything he had planned in jeopardy—and there was no way in hell he would allow it.

“You are late,” he said with a calm voice.

“What a strange way to greet an ally, Storm,” Midnight teased in a playful tone of voice, knowing he could hear her clearly. She got down from the ceiling nimbly with only the noise of one step that faded away instantly. “So, to what do I owe the honor of being followed by the great Storm shadow?”

He smirked. “Don’t tempt your luck, Midnight.” His voice remained impassive. The alliance they had was temporary. Their interest aligned the moment someone told him Melione was involved, and he had no other interest besides that. Terrwyn was his priority, and he was going to rip it out of her claws. He was recovering what was his by birthright and no one was going to stop him. The name Storm shadow made an echo in every place it was heard, making everyone fear the name. “My sources informed me she plans to use a secret weapon to attack the witches of the north.”

Melione was blood thirsty for revenge against the witches, working on her own to punish the northern island. She was a witch who was devoted to Erebus cause, being one of the most powerful one he had ever seen.

Midnight knew he was referring to Melione. They avoided saying her name out loud since they were being followed.

“Straight to the point. Do we know what is that secret weapon?” Midnight leaned her back on the opposite wall while she watched the street.

Her mental shield was stronger, but not so much. He might not be able to read her thoughts, but he had a glimpse of them, and that was all that he needed. Midnight had a pretty good idea of the secret weapon, but it was more like a theory. She was waiting for his answer to confirm it.

“Arethusa offspring.” He tried to get inside her head, but he didn’t have to do it. Even if Midnight tried to hide it, her reaction told him everything. She knew her. He even dared to say she cared for her, which intrigued him, making him try one more time to get inside her head. Only he saw a glimpse of a stunning raven-haired woman with rich golden-brown skin that looked familiar to him. “My informants caught a hidden message when it was sent to her. Whoever works for her is on his way to Terrwyn as we speak,” he added before he started walking as if he was dismissing the meeting. “You better deal with your target before I do it for you,” he warned her.

“No, you are not.”

He smirked. “You want to bet?” he said, enjoying every time someone challenge him.

But she only replied, “I might need a favor.”

He stopped before he got out of the alley and turned around to see her. He rose an eyebrow and waited for her to continue.

Midnight never asked for favors—and less from him—in fact, it was quite the opposite. She used to call in favors.

This is going to be interesting, he thought.