A Gathering of Shadows (Shades of Magic, #2)

by V.E. Schwab

For the ones who fight their way forward

I am Delilah Bard, she thought as the ropes cut into her skin. I am a thief and a pirate and a traveler. I have set foot in three different worlds, and lived. I have shed the blood of royals and held magic in my hands. And a ship full of men cannot do what I can. I don’t need any of you. I am one of a damned kind.

i want to be her

but his London. Kell’s London.

YESSSS

He flashed up in her vision like a flare, auburn hair and that constant furrow between his eyes: one blue, one black. Antari. Magic boy. Prince.

YESSSS

People survived by being cautious, but they got ahead by being bold.

Once aboard the Night Spire, Lila barely said a word (Kell would have been thrilled).

I love that there’s banter even when they’re not together

Lila realized she was happy. A voice hissed in her ear. Leave.

real

Were they really one of a kind, or two?

it's fate, they're meant to be together

The prince shrugged. “Who needs magic when you look this good?”

real

Red London might have been the jewel of the Arnesian empire, but it still had poor people, and suffering—and yet, here in Splendor, the ostra could play pretend, craft utopias out of money and magic.

i bet kell votes blue

What if he really was the last one?

oh you silly silly boy

But Kisimyr Vasrin was bolder than most. She was also the reigning champion of the Essen Tasch, and the reason the tournament was being held in London.

ohhh this is so slay

“Call me Holland.”

HELLO????!!!!

At the sunroom doors, he cast a glance back, and found Rhy looking at him with an expression that might have been I’m sorry, but also could have been fuck off, or at the very least we’ll talk later.

siblings <3

Windsor was too quiet. Too dark.

oh no... Not george

The king is dead.

:(

“You came all the way out here to read him this?” he asked, scornfully. “I was fond of the king.” “Well, you’ll have to make do with me now.” Kell said nothing.

booooo

“But what of your dead?” pressed the king. “We burn them.” “A pagan ritual,” he said scornfully. “Better than putting their bodies in a box.”

i love sassy kell

I do not trust things unless they belong to me.

He always brought one for the king; every month, the old monarch claimed that the magic in his own was fading, like heat from dying coals, so Kell would bring him one to trade, pocket-warm and smelling of roses. Now Kell considered the coin, turning it over his fingers. “This one’s fresh, Your Majesty.” He touched it to his lips, and then reached out and set the warm coin on top of the cold stone tomb. “Sores nast,” he whispered. Sleep well.

hey why am i about to cry over the king of england?

Kell hated Enthusiasts.

“Isn’t it about time for the tournament?” “It might be,” said Alucard with a smirk. “You didn’t,” gasped Lenos. “Didn’t what?” asked Lila. Tav chuckled. “He’s gone and entered the Essen Tasch.”

a tournament!!

Holland stood perfectly still, but his reflection moved. A tip of the head, the edge of a smile, the green eye devoured in black. We make a fine king, said the reflection, words echoing in Holland’s head. “Yes,” said Holland, his voice even. “We do.”

oh!

You live because of me. But you are still dying.

no!!! I just want holland to be free and live!!

My power for your body.

fuck

“It doesn’t bother you, that everyone believes different things?” “Why should it?” he asked. “We all believe the same thing really, we simply give it different names. Hardly a crime.”

Alucard cut her off. Not with a word, but with a kiss.

oh!!

What are you running from? he’d asked. Nothing. Everything. Us. This. Magic.

People could only hurt you if you cared enough to let them.

Alucard raised a brow at that. “Well, eye.”

ahhh

“You’re an incredible thief, Lila,” he said, “especially con—” “Don’t you dare say considering,” she snapped, pulling out of his grip. He respected her enough not to look away. “I am an incredible thief, Alucard. This,” she said, gesturing to her eye, “is not a weakness. It hasn’t been for a very long time. And even if it were, I more than make up for it.”

donning this mindset

People either stole to stay alive or to feel alive. She had to imagine that they ran away for the same reasons.

But he’d missed her, and with the city so overrun, how was he supposed to find her again?

eek!!!

“I hope you don’t expect me to call you Master,” she said, adjusting the knot. “Saints, no, that word has no place except in bed. And Lord makes my skin crawl. Captain will do.” He gestured at the waiting men. “Shall we?”

why am I kinda attracted to this man rn

Or rather, she had noticed him, but she’d taken him for the cast-off member of someone else’s entourage, dressed as he was in a simple black coat with an iridescent pin shaped like an S at his throat. He’d made his way through the gathering earlier, hugging the edges of the room and clutching a glass of white ale.

no way this is who I think it is... kell? (edit: it was not)

“I said,” snarled Kell through clenched teeth, “that if you break my brother’s heart a second time, I will cut yours out. I stand by that promise, Alucard.”

intrigue

Where was the sad, lonely royal who’d stood on the docks and watched her walk away?

ughhhhh, he's been waiting for youuuuu

“Kamerov,” he said genially. “Kamerov Loste.”

Im sorry? you're not kell

Kell was just turning away when he saw the shadow moving across the floor, a figure dressed in black with the edge of a smirk and a demon’s mask.

ughhh they're so close, yet so far

Kell.

ahhhhhhh so close

If Gen and Parrish were here, they’d play Sanct with him, help him keep the thoughts at bay. But Gen and Parrish were dead, and it was Rhy’s fault. You shouldn’t be alive. He shook his head, trying to clear the voices, but they clung. You let everyone down.

my baby doesn't deserve this

EIGHT THE ESSEN TASCH

thank god, ive been so bored

“Well, Ister…” Lila backed away toward the curtain. “Do you just … stand here until I need you?” The woman smiled and dug a volume from a pocket. “I have a book.” “Let me guess, a religious text?” “Actually,” said Ister, perching on the low couch, “it’s about pirates.”

Slay

“About your proximity to Rhy during the Essen Tasch. With so many foreigners flooding the city, I’d prefer if you kept to the palace.”

Oh frick

Ojka stood beneath the trees, wiping the blood from her knives.

Who the freak is Ojka? why are we meeting new characters 70% in?

No boon came without a cost.

"i crave a boon." "what boon?"

“Your Majesty,” said Ojka, hating the quiver in her voice. “Who is the collar for?” Holland brought his fingers to his heart, his expression unreadable. “An old friend.”

Pls pls pls not kell, but also not lilah either. pick a different person.

“The good news is, I’ve seen your next opponent, and he’s good enough to beat you.” Kell soured. “Fine,” amended Rhy, “he’s good enough to beat Kamerov. Which is exactly what he’s going to do.” Kell sighed. “Who am I up against?” Rhy finally stopped pacing. “His name is Stasion Elsor. And with any luck, he’ll slaughter you.”

YES

“Please tell me this is easier to take off than it was to put on.” Calla raised a brow. “You do not think Master Kell knows how?”

I LOVE CALLA

“Why?” “Why what?” “Why did you ask me to dance?” He almost smiled. A ghost. A trick of the light. “So you couldn’t run away again before I said hello.” “Hello,” said Lila. “Hello,” said Kell. “Where have you been?” Lila smirked. “Why, did you miss me?” Kell opened his mouth. Closed it. Opened it again before finally managing to answer, “Yes.”