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and then the nightmares. The endless nightmares.
    He felt filthy, like he hadn't bathed in years. He didn't know what to do. It was apparent that there was no intention to let him go. There didn't seem to be much concern for his well-being in the first place.
    The thought of fighting his way out passed briefly, but he didn't want to hurt anyone. Charsi had somehow been able to reach out of her imprisonment, and the result had been devastating. He didn't want to destroy anything. He didn't feel like he had the strength for it even if he did. He laughed at himself for the idea. Who was he to fight big guys like that?
    He huddled his legs close and rested his forehead on his knees, thinking of Alisia. The pain in his chest won out over the hunger as he pictured her face framed by deep auburn hair.
    What am I to do? h e thought as hopelessness constricted his throat. Oh God, Alisia, what on earth am I to do...

F OUR
     
    T HE S HADOW K ING SAT ON THE CLIFFS OF THE N ORTHERN R ANGE LOOKING OUT AT THE N ORTH S EA . T he freezing waves broke endlessly on the land's bulwark, which stood stubbornly against their relentless advance. He frowned as he watched the dark storm clouds whirling away, gathering their strength for an attack of their own.
    That was the way of life: an endless battle between implacable forces that refused to be undone. At least that was how he was beginning to see it.
    His cape whipped out over the dizzying drop beneath him as he rested his arm lazily on one knee. The other leg lay extended over the edge. The Shade frowned. He didn't like his options.
    He had taken the little Magess' power, but it was barely enough to start him on his way. Since he was no Mage and apparently failed to complete the ritual when he killed her, he feared he was unable to grow the power himself. He didn't even know how to control it.
    Either way, he would need a substantial amount if he were to bring the Shadow back into existence. It took at least two or three Magi to cross one Shade over. It took a decent amount of time as well. He had plenty of time; power was what he lacked. With the deaths of Caspian and Tertian, he doubted there were any left who were strong enough to aid him in his cause.
    Regardless of what Tertian may have said, the Shade knew that he had been the last truly powerful Mage. There were none left like him. It left the Shade wondering how he had died. Who had managed to dispatch the Mage where the Shade himself had failed? Truth be told, it didn't matter. Tertian's power was lost. Even if there were others still alive in hiding somewhere, they wouldn't compare. All of the Elders and the most powerful of their descendents had been accounted for. The Magi were as good as extinct now, and without their strength he had no idea where to turn.
    He didn't even know how to access what little he had stolen from the girl. At least he had regained control over himself. It was disconcerting to have come so close to losing himself. The fabric of his very being had been threatened by the passing of her strength to him. It had been done incorrectly, and the fusion of her power with his already-mixed being had nearly been enough to tear him apart. Thankfully he had managed to keep hold of himself. But he couldn't raise the power to his need or bend it to his will. He could feel it under the surface; he knew it was there, but he couldn't persuade it to come forth.
    It was maddening. But even if he could call it up, he knew it wouldn't be enough to complete the task at hand.
    Seeking the help of the Greater Being flickered through his mind. It was a familiar idea, one that he wished wholeheartedly he could pursue. But he would find no help in the Temple in the mountains. The Shadow were the bastard children of the Magi and the Greater Being. The Creator himself wouldn't touch such a lowly creature as a Shade. Even less would His servant, the Greater Being, despite the Being's responsibility in making the Shadow where the Creator