One Dark Window (The Shepherd King, #1)

by Rachel Gillig

“Your uncle confirmed it.”

The Nightmare coiled in the corner of my mind. I don’t know what will happen, Elspeth, he said. Your degeneration is almost at an end.

I’m asking for your help, I said, my voice clear. I understand the price.

The door opened with a slam. I heard the clang of metal, and when I looked up I saw him—tall, pale, garbed in white. On his long fingers rested the glove-like contraption with looming, brutal spikes reaching out from each digit. A metal claw. “Hello,” Orithe Willow said, looking down at me through unfeeling eyes. “A pleasure to finally meet you, Miss Spindle.”

Promise me you’ll help Ravyn. Promise me you’ll save Emory. It’s time, dear one, he purred, lulling me to rest. Promise! He sighed. I promise to help the Yews in all their endeavors.

“Don’t touch me,” she said, her yellow eyes flaring. Yellow. Yellow, like the flames of a torch. Yellow, like the coins he’d collected as a boy. Yellow, not black. Relief turned to dread in the pit of Ravyn’s stomach. Elspeth, he called into the blackness. Elspeth! But all was silence. Then, like a snake slithering out beneath rocks, the Shepherd King spoke. She’s quiet now, Ravyn Yew. Let her rest. What the hell have you done? Ravyn cried, probing deeper into the darkness. She set me free, he said, his voice filling Ravyn’s mind like smoke. I’m here to help you. Ravyn stepped away from the creature wearing Elspeth Spindle’s skin. Let her out, he shouted, his voice cut by fear and rage. Let her out right now or I swear to god I’ll— You’ll what? Elspeth’s lips curled. How could you hurt me without hurting her?

Elspeth continued to pace the cell, stopping only when she stood directly in front of the King. “You get the Twin Alders,” she said, drawing the words out of her mouth like spider silk. “The Card you seek but cannot find. The last Card.”