Just to remind you all: We ended the last tale on a bit of a cliffhanger, as the saying goes. Red had returned to save her headstrong wards and is now forced into a position of power. A power she does not crave.

Shadows' fall.

Part one

With her decision made and her mind still processing unwelcome discoveries, Shadows runs blindly into the cold, dark forest. Overjoyed at seeing Red and Cinders' "phantom" body approaching, her euphoria overrides her usual sharp instincts.

The next step she takes is a grave mistake. Having forgotten all of Vander's advice and misgivings regarding their precarious position, as well as his counsel about the dangers lurking in the forest, Shadows makes a critical error in her eager haste. Desperate for Red to acknowledge her, she falls—not a mere bruised knee or twisted ankle, but something far more serious.

She slips between the worlds of the 'here and now' and the 'there and then' - caught in a new trap conjured by the warlock. Her warrior training kicks in too slowly. As she slips on the wet, slippery leaves, she instinctively unfurls her wings. One leg becomes entangled in the complex system of underground roots, and she finds herself suspended upside down. The tips of her metal wings seek purchase in the dark, dank tunnel, which reeks of abandonment and neglect.

Part two: The howl

Suddenly, a chorus of deafening howls echoes through the forest, not least of which escapes from Cinders' own gasp. Vander's howl almost equals that of Red herself, the sound piercing the night air with a desperate, mournful intensity.

In that moment, Shadows feels the earth buckle beneath her. Her wings scream in pain as the vibrations reverberate through the ground, each pulse sending sharp jolts up her spine. The tunnel itself seems to buckle and sway around her, as if the forest is alive and reacting to the howls.

Red, thinking rapidly, places her fingers to Cinders' temple, commanding her to return to her body. The urgency in Red's eyes is palpable. Before Cinders can object, she finds herself back in the safety of her real body, the transition disorienting and sudden.

It takes her a minute or two to realize what had just happened. When she does, it's with suspicion at Milk's coy smile. The healer stands nearby, a Cinders recoils from the sight and the healer's gentle touch. Her serene expression masking deeper intentions? Instincts flaring with distrust. The air is thick with tension, the forest's howls echoing in the distance as a reminder of the lurking dangers.

Part three: Rage

Red, hollow eyed and shocked, kneels at the site. She fears that any attempt at rescuing Shadows, might dislodge her daughter, sending her plunging into the void. A type of frozen barrier lies between them.

Through it she can hear the feeble scratching. As she crouches down, she sees Shadows attempting to communicate.

"Darling, we will find you" she tries to assure Shadows.

Quickly realizing that with the strange barricade between them, psychic messages are blocked.

As the cold leeches the color from her hair, she can finally read the faintest of scrawls. She sighs with the relief knowing that though Shadows is stuck, her tenacity and will to survive remains strong. That is until she makes out the message slowly being carved.

Her fury builds as she reads the words: "One of mine. Sorry."

Part four: A promise

Red, usually confident, turns her feral gaze upon her surroundings. All her anger at what had happened suddenly condenses, focused and dangerous.

She hears the Spider long before she sees him. "About time," she mutters under her breath. The Spider looks wounded by her words.

"You stay here. I have some business to take care of, and you, my darling, would not approve."

"I'll stay. She's our daughter but heed my advice. I know that look, Red. Don't let them suck you back into that forgotten world."

"This is not about them. This is personal. I would do the same for you, and you know it!"

He watches her as she disappears into the quickly fading light. Too late, he calls after her. She is shadow and mist. As he watches her, he recalls just how much he did love her once.

As if reading his thoughts, she turns around. Her grim features are replaced with a coy grin as she winks.

ƒin

- As written by Resigner Luth, Part Six (VI) of Bounded by Blood © July 17, 2024.

Published in https://resignerluth.space and available on https://ultraviolet.ink

Keep on reading, next up a tale of retribution in "The Wretched Waif"

Resigner 💜

#justmoveforward

I admit that one took a while. Apologies for the delay.

Now that you're here: YES, I'm back so stay tuned. Kick off your shoes and escape into my dark fantasy world. We all need a little escape from reality.

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I would like to thank the original creators. I do not intend to infringe on any copyright or profit. All rights remain with the original creators.

The words remain mine. 💜Resigner