Or am I at risk, and he'll have a shot to escape to his army and save the world?
My hands grow clammy and fear rips through me.
This world is real, and so is the chance I die for real this time. But I have to do something before they shoot him full of arrows. The original chapters I read on Wattpad are in my thoughts, reminding me that the Shadow Knight is supposed to be mortally wounded before the end of this book.
"You can release the witch to us, or we can shoot you full of arrows and take her when you're dead."
"Arrows," the Shadow Knight says without hesitation.
Another archer dismounts from his horse and faces us while a third and fourth pull swords. A fifth man draws near the speaker, remaining far enough behind that their leader can't see him, and does something peculiar.
He waves me over.
I blink, certain I'm seeing things.
When I look again, he does it once more.
Dare I trust some stranger? He's making an effort not to be seen by the others.
The medallion isn't coming to life again despite the Shadow Knight being in danger, and the message on my hand remains the same. The stranger waving at me is a third sign I should probably do what my gut is telling me.
Drawing a breath, I decide I don't have much of a choice. "How about . . . I go with you guys and you let him go."
"Nay," the Shadow Knight snaps.
"I'm not talking to you," I retort.
"You will come willingly?" their leader asks.
"If you let him go." Fully aware they intend to do the opposite, I still think the Shadow Knight has a better chance to fight them off if I'm not dead weight. My alleged magic is a little too unreliable for my comfort.
The stranger is nodding his hooded head at my words.
There's a thick silence. The Shadow Knight is growling, probably at me as much as his enemies. Every instinct in my body says this is a bad idea, but maybe if I can at least give him a fighting chance . . .
"I agree," the leader of the Brown Sun Lake's goons responds.
I toss one leg over the horse's withers, but the Shadow Knight won't let go. "Look," I whisper. "I won't be in the way. You can take out all their men and then come rescue me."
"Your plans leave much to be desired." His eyes are like chips of gray ice flecked with blue glimmers, his stony features unyielding.
"Says the man who made us fall out of the sky?"