Page 54 of Revenge of the Elf Lord

I would appreciate it if you didn’t touch him.

She threw a glare at him over her shoulder.He’s a demon, not a contagious disease.

I’m saying this because I evidently have a jealous streak, which isn’t very flattering. I don’t want you touching any male, but handsome demons are definitely not allowed.

Did you ever think I may be touching him to help him? As a healer, you should be able to feel the emotions beating at him. Aren’t healers empathic?

Cyran opened his senses and was hit with a cacophony of emotions.Dear gods, how is he sane? Anyone with that much fury and chaos in them… He should have combusted by now. I would have.

No, you wouldn’t, silly elf. You would be stoic and deal with the fate given to you, just like Zel is. Would he allow us to combine our magic to try to help him? It might provide Jessica the time she needs to heal as well. We can give her another healing session once we free them from Haman.

He might if you’re the one asking. I get the sense he could be a bit pig-headed when it comes to other men helping him.

She smiled at him, her beautiful aqua eyes twinkling with humor. “So, he’s male.”

Zel’s gaze moved back and forth between them. “I know you’ve been talking to one another. The buzzing inside my head is driving me crazy. If you have something to say to me, say it.”

Cyran caught the quick hint of self-doubt and hurt before Zel erected a barrier between them, and all emotions disappeared. Outwardly, he seemed unconcerned, but he should have been able to sense the rioting emotions.

“Zel, Shalendra has something she wants to ask you.”

“Chicken,” she whispered. Cyran only smiled.

“Zel, as you may have guessed, Cyran and I are both empathic and healers. Until you closed yourself off, your emotions beat at us. I’m sorry, but when you heard my father’s name, the first emotion you had was guilt. Why?”

For the first time, Zel fidgeted. “Prior to the Dark Fae’s disappearance, he could use his magic to control me. I have no idea what his end game was, but I did not like what he made me do. One of those acts was to attack Émilien in the Shadow Lands while the Fae sealed the border. I am sorry for that.”

She smiled. “Well, that’s one mystery solved. My father will understand once you explain the reason behind the attack. Now, as to your other emotions, no one should carry that much pain and anger. Not and remain sane. Please let us try to help ease your load.”

He opened his mouth, but she raised her hand, stopping whatever he was about to say. “Healing you, even a bit, might also help Aunt Jessica heal. Her mind and body need to rest so she can hold on.”

She glanced over her other shoulder to Loki, who had moved back into the shadows to watch them. Knowing the god, he probably hoped they would forget he was even there.

“Loki can aid us as well.” She narrowed her gaze at him. “Won’tyou, grandfather?”

Loki stepped forward, his gaze never leaving Zel’s. “For not being here when you needed me to—after I gave you my word to return—I will do whatever I can.”

He shook his head and gave his granddaughter a rueful smirk. “Since meeting you, Shalendra, I have done more out-of-character things than during my lifetime. My entirelonglifetime. I do not help people or give favors. I’m the one causing the grief and chaos, so this is unsettling, to say the least.”

Loki’s gaze touched each of them one by one. “And no one better find out about any of this either. Pain comes in many forms.”

Zel smirked and pointed to himself. “Demon. No matter how hard you try, you can’t harm me, god of mischief.”

“Don’t tempt me. I have many all-powerful people who owe me favors. I’m sure one or two of them would make a dent.”

“Oh, stop it,” Shalendra muttered. “Loki, you aren’t going to hurt anyone, so quit blustering. We won’t say anything to anybody about this because, quite frankly, no one would believe us.”

Cyran chuckled. “True. They wouldn’t.”

“Why would you do this?” Zel regarded them with curiosity.

“Because everyone deserves help and a second chance,” she replied. “Everyone.”

The demon’s face gave nothing away, but the gratefulness in his eyes said everything. He cleared his throat, adding, “None of this helps us get into that room, though. Any ideas?”

Cyran met Shalendra’s worried gaze. “I have no choice. If we need inside that room to stop him, then that’s where I will take us.”

Before Zel could refuse, Shalendra once more laid her hands on Zel’s arm, followed by Cyran, and then Loki, who rested one hand on his shoulder. Cyran followed her direction, letting only his healing energy flow into the demon.

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