Page 68 (1/2)

"Are you sure of that?"

"Are you?"

"No"

"Be sure, Ava" Her voice dropped "Suht it If you aren’t sure of yourself, then the darkness could win"

"And the shadow I’ed "We’ll watch But Sarihöfn is protected, Ava Very protected We know Volund is after you, but it is doubtful even one of the Fallen could find you here with all the shields in place"

"Okay" She took a deep breath and let it out "Okay"

"Shall we study more?"

"Yes"

Because if there was anything she could learn that ht help hold back the darkness, then Ava needed it

"Do not fear the darkness"

She slept, but he wasn’t there She stood at the edge of the forest, looking out There was nothing there but blackness, and the birds did not sing

"You shouldn’t have left"

The voice came frolasses

"Who are you?"

"You shouldn’t have left He’s cohed "Blood It’s very difficult to stop blood ic"

"Where is he?"

"That, I cannot tell you Perhaps he does not sleep"

She blinked and the ie of the man wavered

"Take off your mask," she said

He smiled "You are bold in dreams I do not find offense in this"

"Then take off your mask"

"Are you sure you want to see me as I am?" He must have read the uncertainty in her eyes "I will show you a shadow of rew Expanded His soft face shimmered away and a harder one took its place A beautiful face Unearthly His hair was black and shining as a raven’s wing His eyes were a glittering aold Snized They were like her ic was not written on him, it was part of hi, but she felt no fear

"You’re beautiful"

"You are not the first to say so"

"Your spells…" She stepped forward and put a hand on his arertips The raised letters glimmered with a faint, silver sheen