Shadow In The Ember Series Order Novels & Stories

CHAPTER THIRTEEN Cassian's Pursuit The ember-infused carriage cut through the night like a blade of living fire, its gilded exterior catching moonlight as it sped along the mountain pass toward Shadoweave. Cassian Holt sat rigid within its luxurious confines, his copper hair gleaming in the ambient light generated by the small ember crystals embedded in the carriage walls. Each crystal pulsed in time with his agitated heartbeat, responding to his turbulent emotions despite his attempts to maintain composed control.

As Caelum’s body dissolved into motes of silver light, Iris’s spirit faded too, her voice lingering like a lullaby. “Balance… at last.” Vaelor’s Ember But far below, in the heart of the battlefield, a small ember of shadow pulsed faintly. Unseen, it whispered in a voice colder than death: “Balance is temporary… but darkness… darkness is eternal.”

How charming. The air in front of them twisted into a tapestry of light strands when he waved a hand. Around her, strands of light and shadow converged. Gold and law bound Emery with the Noble, scenes from various timelines bleed into one another. Whispers and revolt conceal Emery's relationship with the Masked Man. Emery brandishing a blade. Emery is shackled. Emery yelling, laughing, sobbing, and passing away. And once more.

(SHEILA'S POV) As dusk settled over the woods, I found myself amidst the gathering darkness, my steps muffled by the forest floor. With Emberlyn leading the way, accompanied by her loyal mercenaries, we pressed on in search of Orion. My heart yearned to bridge the gap between myself and my step-sister, seeking an opportunity for conversation amid the tense atmosphere. Yet, Emberlyn's demeanor atop her steed appeared forbidding, her fiery hair matching the intensity of her resolve.

Corbin stepped up to us and said, “He’s the spirit elemental. He is capable of so much more than we think. I wonder if you could possibly do that too at some point.” Ember and I stood there and talked with each leader one at a time as they congratulated her on her victory today, then said farewell. Each group left through a portal to go home until the last two groups were the Mirror River Coven and the Scarlet Moon Pack. Talon and Rook both hugged Ember tightly before shaking my hand. We agreed that we would come visit them soon so Ember could see everyone. A little family gathering under normal circumstances would be good for all of them. Both groups soon left and now it was just Ember, Bas

It was quiet for a few minutes and he finally said, “Tilly and I have absolutely no secrets. People like you and me … we can’t be with just anyone. It’s either one night stands, fake short term relationships or nothing. You don’t just find a Tilly on every corner. A woman that will accept you, that if you are totally honest with her … won’t be afraid of you. I never had someone to … to help me. To direct me, and it damn near killed me. I wouldn’t wish it on anyone. I call it my dark shadow … it’s a part of me, but it’s a part of me I can mostly keep hidden, that I can control.

On screen, I looked straight into the camera and said, “There’s just enough battery power left on my phone.” What they didn’t know was that I’d gotten that power by pretending to please those people, but it didn’t matter. They were going to die anyway. The camera eventually shifted to the ship’s cabin, where several disgusting clients were all over me, their hands roaming freely. Then, when they least expected it, I struck. With a sharpened piece of bamboo, I drove it straight into their throats. Blood poured out instantly as they collapsed. As I had always seemed weak, they never guarded against me. Soon, the second one fell, and then the third. One after another, they dropped dead.

I must keep going, even though I am exhausted and sweating, because this is the only way I can win. Then I hear it—a noise behind me, a rustle. I tighten my grip on the hilt. “Who’s there?” I whisper, turning slowly. The forest answers with silence. But then—I saw a shadow between the trees. Someone is watching me. For the first time since my seventh rebirth, I realize I may not be the only one with memories.

(Caelum Ashborne) The ember-flame stretched, sharpening into a rough outline of a man’s face—no clear features, just the impression of strong bone and old scars. Eyes like coals. A crown of shadowed horns made of smoke and memory. Heat radiated off the projection with such intensity that the nearby shadows hissed and shrank back, leaving Caelum momentarily exposed. Arkael Ashborne. Leader of the Emberborn. The man who had taught Caelum to walk on hot stone before he could walk on grass.

The shadow stepped closer, its form rippling like smoke in wind. “Of the one your soul holds above all others.” The air left Ember’s lungs. Kaila recoiled inside her. No. No. NO. Ember staggered backward, shaking her head. “That can’t be right. You’re lying.” The shadow didn’t move. “It is the law that created your world. Only love strong enough to break you can restore the balance.” “No!” Ember shouted, her voice echoing wildly around the chamber. “There must be another way!” The chamber flickered. For a moment, Ember thought everything might crumble. But the shadow remained steady.