11 A Question of Shadows (2/2)

”Strike them down quickly!” Nikolai roared. ”It won't last long.”

His companions needed no more encouragement, and they battered the Shades with their enchanted weapons, eliciting horrifying screams as the creatures lost cohesion and slowly came apart. Nikolai chanted once more and the disc burst into two beams of light that shot towards the disintegrating Shades caging them in small orbs of white light.

He waved his arm and brought the orbs into his hands.

”What was that?” Elya asked, her eyes wavering in shock and Nikolai could tell she had only faced mundane foes during the war.

”They're Shades, powerful souls that have been twisted by magic into indestructible masses of shadows. They're used primarily for assassination and I haven't seen any in two years.” He frowned, considering who had sent them. It was very difficult to prepare and control a Shade, let alone two.

”What will you do with them?” She looked at the spinning orbs.

”They're indestructible so I'll have to prepare a seal.” Another unwanted addition to his tower.

Seven returned at that moment with guards and they cordoned off the area to make sure nothing else was lurking nearby. Nikolai sent Elya back to the manor to rest, and she gave him a knowing smile before she left. He felt a little sad once she was gone, but he quickly shifted focus and called Seven over.

”Who was the target? We were too close together, so it's impossible to tell. Those bolts couldn't have come from the Shades, so look into who it could be.”

Seven made a few signs and Nikolai hesitated. Silver hair and blue eyes came to mind, and he responded firmly.

”Any means necessary. If she was the target… I want them dead by the end of the day.” If Elya saw him at that moment, she would be startled by his cold look that promised death.