A Soul clad in Shadows: Blood Magic, #4

By Katy Haye

Ana has learned to bring her magic under control, but it might all be for nothing.

All she wants is to choose her own path through life with her magical abilities, but once more someone else has different ideas. A strange, magical sickness has overcome Muirland. Everyone in the kingdom lies in an enchanted sleep.

Immune to the enchantment, Ana and her friends must find the mage responsible and destroy the spell.

Their combined magic may be powerful, but the source of the spell is a magic unfathomably old and potent, and they will need strength, wisdom and unity if they are to have a hope of succeeding.

• Language: English
• Publisher: Plumshine Books
• Release date: Sep 2, 2021
• ISBN: 9798215637920

Book preview

A Soul Clad in Shadows

Ana has learned to bring her magic under control, but it might all be for nothing.

All she wants is to choose her own path through life with her magical abilities, but once more someone else has different ideas. A strange, magical sickness has overcome Muirland. Everyone in the kingdom lies in an enchanted sleep.

Immune to the enchantment, Ana and her friends must find the mage responsible and destroy the spell.

Their combined magic may be powerful, but the source of the spell is a magic unfathomably old and potent, and they will need strength, wisdom and unity if they are to have a hope of succeeding.

1

Walking into Muirland City was like walking into a ghost town.

Crossing city square, Ana fought the unease tensing her spine and glanced around. The space was empty. That might have been expected if they’d arrived back in the dead of night, but it was long past dawn now. The city should be bustling.

Ana swallowed and took another step. Willan on her hip peered around curiously and chewed on his fist. Davin and Nye moved quietly beside her as they made their way to the palace. None of them spoke, as though they didn’t like to break the oppressive silence. Nye paused at one of the houses edging the square, shading his eyes as he pressed close to the glass to see inside. Ana and Davin both paused. Ana’s hand restlessly stroked Willan’s back. She sighed when Nye turned and shook his head to indicate no sign of life inside.

They reached the palace and at least they were no longer afraid everyone in the city had vanished. Guards were clearly visible through the ornate metal gates, one either side. They were curled on the ground rather than standing to attention, but Ana could see they were breathing; asleep, not dead. She lifted the latch on the gate, the clatter of the mechanism loud in the silence. The gate glided open until it caught on the hip of one of the slumbering guards. He gave no reaction.

Holding tight to her courage, Ana squeezed through the gap, bent and nudged his arm, Hie there. No response. She shook gently and the figure jiggled, but still didn’t waken. It’s time to wake up, she urged, giving a final shake. The guard tipped over onto his back and snored softly.

Ana jumped when Nye touched her elbow. This is a little like a story we tell children in Surran. His whispered tone lifted the hairs on the back of her neck. His sun-kissed skin couldn’t quite hide the pallor beneath. His expression was sombre. She glanced past him to Davin following them through the gate. His already pale face was as white as paper, his expression matching Nye’s. That was more alarming than anything else. When they were together, the pair were always smiling, but there were no smiles today.

Ana wanted to whisper. She had to force herself to speak in a normal tone. They were clearly not going to wake anyone. What story?

Nye cleared his throat. "The chief’s child caught a fever and died. As he knelt in the child’s room, weeping over the body, a sorcerer named Cet arrived and offered to return the child to life, if the chief would give half his lands and wealth in exchange. Grief-stricken, the chief accepted. According to the tale, Cet ventured into the otherworld to bring the child’s soul back. There was some kind of a bargain with the soultaker, and the child’s soul returned to its human life.

When Cet returned to claim the promised reward, the chief’s child had recovered – but the chief reneged on the bargain. He said the boy hadn’t died, but had merely been sleeping, therefore Cet hadn’t done anything worth the payment demanded. The sorcerer swore revenge, but the chief’s guards had recovered and on his orders they drove Cet away – what could a mere sorcerer do against a chief, after all?

Nye’s tone indicated they were about to find out. Ana glanced once more at the sleeping guards and suppressed the shiver that wanted to creep down her spin. Willan gurgled and her tension eased at the sign of normality.

That night, everyone in the chief’s household fell asleep – but in the morning, the chief was the only one to wake up. The child he had lost and regained would not wake, and nor would anyone else. Friends, family, guards and servants all slumbered even as the sun reached its zenith. The chief had to draw his own water and cook his own meals. Sure it was magic, the chief simply waited, expecting the spell to release at midnight, confident no one could sustain such a mighty spell for long.

He glanced at Davin who moved closer, his arm brushing Nye’s. But the spell didn’t fade. The next day was the same, and the next. On the fifth day, when the chief’s worries were growing that his precious child would waste away in slumber, and that everything he owned would be stolen away by thieves, the sorcerer returned. The chief fell to his knees and begged for the spell to be released. Cet agreed, but with new demands. Instead of taking half the chief’s wealth and goods, Cet would take it all leaving the chief merely a servant. With the only alternative being to watch his child fade away in a slow death, the chief agreed.

Nye shifted uneasily. I always thought the story was an allegory about keeping one’s vows and only risking what you’re prepared to lose.

Davin reached out and rubbed his arm. Nye put his hand over Davin’s.

I didn’t notice any sorcerers when we passed the city walls, Ana said, getting to her feet and glancing towards the palace.

Only you, Davin murmured.

And I certainly didn’t do this. Ana had quite a list of incidents she’d been involved with, but this couldn’t possibly be set at her door. She hadn’t even been in the city when whatever enchantment this was had struck.

She took a breath. Let’s try the guard room. Without waiting for Davin and Nye to argue, she set off around the side of the palace. Tamas would be there. The king’s bodyguard and head of the palace guard terrified her, but right now that fact was reassuring in itself. Tamas was tall, broad and unstoppable. He’d know what to do.

She pushed away the idea that if he was awake he’d already be shouting commands and flexing his muscles in a way that would probably scare the spell into breaking with no magical intervention required.

When they passed the stables, several horses hooked their heads over their stall doors to watch their progress.

It only affects people, Davin murmured. He was the scientist. Ana wouldn’t be surprised to find he was quietly taking notes.

She nodded jerkily, her breathing growing shallow. Even’s Willan’s babble had fallen silent. They reached the door of Tamas’s office, which was firmly closed. Ana grasped the iron ring of the door handle and turned before she could think better of it.

The door wasn’t locked, Tamas clearly trusting the security of the palace itself. Ana crept inside with Davin and Nye on her heels. She almost tip-toed, expecting Tamas to loom into view any moment and demand to know what she thought she was doing.

The room was empty, broad desk covered with papers, armed chair pushed neatly beneath it.

What’s this place? Nye asked, craning to study the maps pinned to the walls.

Office of the guards, Ana replied. She passed the desk to peer into the room at the back. Also empty.

Davin had stopped at the desk. What’s special about Hyleton?

Ana froze. That wasn’t the first she’d heard of the town: a place the king was concerned about, also raised by Torran’s step-father after being mentioned during council sessions. Most importantly, Patience is there, she whispered. Hyleton was where Ana’s friend was currently staying with a trade delegation. She turned, What have you found?

Davin indicated the map spread over the desk. Ana stepped forward. It was a map of Muirland. Muirland City was clear; most other places she wouldn’t be able to find since she’d never studied geography. But she didn’t need an education to find Hyleton, since it was circled in red.

Nye peered over their shoulders. Close to the Surran border, was his contribution.

Davin straightened. No one’s here. We should check inside the palace.

Ana nodded, her fingers brushing the map as she followed Davin and Nye. After the mention of Hyleton she was worried for Patience – although perhaps she should concentrate on being worried for herself.

As they passed the courtyard to the palace kitchens, a timeline for the enchantment became clearer. A slim figure lay on the ground close to the well. The boot boy had been up and about his duties fetching water, which meant whatever had struck the palace – and the city – it had been after midnight but before dawn.

Davin and Nye reached the doors first. Ana caught them up as they were surveying the kitchens. No sign of the upper servants, but a maid was crouched by one of the fires, partway through the process of lighting it. A screw of kindling was still clenched tight in one fist while she slumbered on the tiles.

It must have struck in a moment, Davin murmured. They were back to whispering. It didn’t just keep people asleep, but sent them to sleep if they were awake. He glanced at Nye, then at her. Ana waited in case he had anything else to add. The amount of magic required... he trailed off as though awed simply at the idea of it.

Who could do this? Nye murmured. I mean, in truth who could?

The mages must be behind this, Davin said. They have to be.

Ana folded her arms. The mages have been powerless for more than a decade. Are any of them still alive?

They weren’t elderly, Davin pointed out. Twelve years since they were banished. Twelve years isn’t so long.

Your mages could do this? Nye queried softly.

Davin pulled a face. They might be able to.

They’d need a great deal of power, Ana said. The mages didn’t have magic of their own; they had stolen it from others.

Ana’s gaze met Davin’s. His lips tightened consideringly. Do you think they found a dragon? His tone was musing, but the question sent a shock of fear down Ana’s spine. She knew exactly where a dragon – or at least a dragon shifter – could be found.

Holding Willan tightly, she fled the kitchens, heart pounding.

2

Ana burst out of the guards’ quarters, her arm curled tightly around Willan as she jogged to the main palace building. She was dimly aware of Davin and Nye behind her, hurrying after while calling for her to stop and tell them what was suddenly so urgent.

Ana couldn’t spare the time to explain. Why had she wasted time with the guards? She should have known any danger would be elsewhere entirely.

If the mages had got hold of Princess Mabelle and they had somehow discovered her secret that she was a shifter who could take dragon form, they could use her, ripping out her scales to provide power for their enchantments.

Three flights of stairs later, Ana was panting, heart pounding fit to burst when she reached Mabelle’s bedroom door. She slowed abruptly and Davin almost cannoned into the back of her. What’s the matter? he hissed.

I just need to check...

She slipped into the room, blinking at the sudden gloom. Mabelle’s nurse was sleeping, a lump of snoring blankets on one side of the room. Ana snuck to the curtained bed and gripped the hangings. Please, please... She wrenched the fabric apart.

Relief made her dizzy. The princess was there, sleeping peacefully, face mushed against the pillow, fingers curled into the covers, mouth slightly parted.

She crossed back to the door, where Davin peered inside. Isn’t this the royal quarters?

Yes. Ana shooed him back out and shut the door. All’s well here – but asleep.

Davin chuckled. You ran off so quickly I thought you knew where a mage could be found – or a dragon.

Ana forced a laugh, but it sounded false. Mabelle’s secret was still safe. And they were no further ahead on the matter of mages.

We should see if Torran and Lyssa found anything at the academy, she said.

I don’t think we should stay in the city until we’ve got to the bottom of this. Nye spoke quietly, but firmly. We don’t know why we’re immune to the magic. He swallowed. We don’t know if we are. His gaze settled on Davin and Ana thought she knew what he was thinking: Davin and Nye didn’t have magic, like most Muirland citizens. If magic conveyed some kind of protection, then the two young men were vulnerable.

Right now, Ana didn’t feel especially confident herself. It seemed most likely they were awake because they’d been outside the city when the enchantment hit. She shivered. Nye was right: they had no idea whether that protection was permanent or only temporary.

We should pack a few things, Davin said. Ana wondered if his thoughts had travelled the same road as her own.

They hurried to their rooms. Ana swept spare clothes for herself and Willan into her bag and then turned to the workroom. Her fingers paused on the shelf of made-up potions. The tiny phials contained potions that would make people calm and happy. Would they be needed? She pushed a couple between the clothes in her bag just in case and stepped back just in time for Davin to reach past her. He grabbed several more phials and pushed them into his satchel.

Can I take anything? Nye hovered behind him, a part-filled knapsack in his hands.

Davin cast a rueful glance at the apparatus filling the work table, then shook his head. We should see what Torran and Lyssa have found.

Nothing had changed as they made their way back out of the palace, stepping over the slumbering guards at the gate and crossing the silent square. The fountain was still, but the rim of its pool was lined with birds drinking the water. A few were even bathing their feathers, making the most of the absence of people who would normally shoo them away.

The gates into Muirland City’s magical academy were closed, but the pedestrian gate stood open. As Ana stepped through she heard a clatter ahead. Her heart leapt in anticipation, then lurched back into place when Torran and Lyssa stepped into sight.

Torran caught sight of her and shook his head at the question she hadn’t asked. All asleep, he said, voice tight.

Even the maestros? Ana demanded.

Even them. Torran met her gaze steadily. So, magic offered no protection in itself. They were awake purely because they’d been outside the city walls when the enchantment had struck.

I’m going to fetch some things, Lyssa said, pushing past them, back out to the square. She meant to return to her home, Ana assumed, a healing practise tucked on one of Muirland City’s back streets.

What next? Davin demanded, his attention on Torran.

Ana bristled. Why did Torran get to decide what they did? Just because he was rich and influential and his family were confidantes of the king didn’t mean he knew any more than they did. I think we should head to Hyleton, she declared, half-glaring at Torran, daring him to disagree.

His lips tightened and she lifted her chin. I agree, he said.

Ana blinked, fighting an unreasonable sense of disappointment that he was being so reasonable.

The council believed something magical was happening there. We’ve found no leads here, he paused, lifting his brows in case the three of them could disagree with that assessment. They shook their heads.

Right, so we’ll have to search further afield, Torran stated. Maybe this is the magic that was uncovered at Hyleton.

And we need to make sure Patience is safe, she added.

Torran’s brows lifted. Patience is at Hyleton?

Ana was pleased to know something he didn’t. With the trade delegation. The king sent them there. That wasn’t exactly the truth, but if the king’s council knew something strange was happening there, shouldn’t they have stopped them? They’d kept the matter secret, and this could be the result. She bit down her anger at the king’s willingness to play with other people’s lives. Okay, so we go to Hyleton.

I need to pick up some things, Nye stated. He was still wearing clothes from the day before – which he’d slept in due to having no alternative. See you back here?

As Davin nodded, Torran spoke over him. We’ll meet in the square in twenty minutes. Nye nodded and hurried away.

The three of them – with Willan in a sling at Ana’s hip – headed into the square to wait. Ana perched on the edge of the fountain, chasing off the birds, and fed Willan a rusk, dipping a hand into the cool water and twisting his curls into place with damp fingers. He chewed and drooled contentedly. Davin and Torran murmured but she didn’t try to follow their conversation. Now she’d asserted herself, Torran could take over if he liked.

Lyssa arrived back with two bags. Ana bit back the comment that rose immediately to her lips about travelling light. It was probable one bag was full of medicines and remedies, not clothes, and if they needed them, Ana would be very glad Lyssa