Shadows of Myth

Shadows of Myth
Rachel Lee

No memory, no future, and only a white rose to identify her… The Ilduin Bane are myth and legend: assassin mages whose blades drip poison and whose minds share a common purpose–one of death or control. All who have gone against them lost, unable to penetrate their powerful protections. So Archer Blackcloak gathers a small band to destroy the Bane.From Archer comes strength of purpose and an indomitable will. Ratha and Giri give the group a fighter's skill and temper. They are joined by Young Tom, whose unwavering loyalty is matched by an insatiable curiosity, and by Sara Deepwell, who has a surprising talent for magic.From their last member, Tess Birdsong, the only survivor of a brutal attack that left her with no memory, comes the power of one who has nothing left to lose. But the road to freedom is long and twisted, and before they are finished old sorrows may destroy them. Yet once started, they cannot turn back–no matter how high the price….

Praise for

RACHEL LEE

“A suspenseful, edge-of-the-seat read.”

—Publishers Weekly on Before I Sleep

“Rachel Lee deserves much acclaim for her exciting tales of romantic suspense.”

—Midwest Book Review

“Lee crafts a heartrending saga….”

—Publishers Weekly on Snow in September

RACHEL LEE

SHADOWS OF MYTH

To Aaron, for whom the first seeds of this tale

were planted. Thank you, son, for waiting so long

for the tree to mature.

Contents

Chapter 1

Chapter 2

Chapter 3

Chapter 4

Chapter 5

Chapter 6

Chapter 7

Chapter 8

Chapter 9

Chapter 10

Chapter 11

Chapter 12

Chapter 13

Chapter 14

Chapter 15

Chapter 16

Chapter 17

Chapter 18

Chapter 19

Chapter 20

Chapter 21

Chapter 22

Chapter 23

Chapter 24

Chapter 25

Chapter 26

Chapter 27

Chapter 28

Chapter 29

Epilogue

1

She awoke to the smell of blood, the sound of running water and the icy bite of the wind on her back. For a long moment, that was all she could be certain of, as if her brain had to learn all over again what it meant to be conscious. Then, in the instant when disorientation gave way to awareness, terror slammed into her gut like a falling tree. She fought to breathe, even to open her eyes and see.

She wished she hadn’t.

The scent of blood spilled from the cooling, inert form upon which she lay. His throat had been slashed from ear to ear, the flesh parted in an obscene smile, still glistening in the brilliant moonlight. His eyes were fixed forever in a terror-filled gaze.