Page 50 of Empowering the Wolf's Heart

“Any further guards I should know about?” Alia asked, her voice light.

“There are four guarding the door: two elves and two mages.”

“Black magic?”

I nodded, then realized she could not see me properly. “Yes.”

“Capabilities?”

“Vine wielder and fire.”

“Anything else?”

I paused. “You do not have to come along. I can handle it.”

“Doc sent me for a reason. And he saved—” She cut off, but not before I heard the way her voice changed. I smelled a hint of salt in the air that was too sweet to be of the ocean. “I owe him. And I’m not going to run from a few mages.”

“And elves.”

She huffed out a breath. “That too.”

“The spit wad was… good,” I said.

“Do you always choke on your compliments?” she asked.

She was a little ball of fire tonight. But I still heard the catch in her voice when she spoke of owing Doc. It was likely a family member or her unicorn. She had spoken of her sister being unwell… hmm.

I would research it later. From my contacts, I knew the Red’s village likely lay just beyond Dragon Falls. A visit would take care of my curiosity.

For now, we had a being to rescue.

Sure, it was likely only our mission because Mother wanted to have someone owe her a favor, but at least a kid would be safe.

These were one of few missions I actually enjoyed.

Alia

“Forgiveme for grabbing you earlier. I am sorry.”

I glanced up at him with squinted eyes. “Why are you apologizing for saving my life?”

His steps paused slightly. Did he look uncomfortable? Surely not. He just dove through the gas Ran called dead demonspawn as if he were strolling in the park. “You do not like being touched without permission.”

I scrunched up my nose and then smoothed it before he could see. “Just because I don’t like to be touched doesn’t mean you didn’t save my life.”

“Did I detect gratefulness in that sentence?” he asked, walking forward and casually strolling to crouch beside a massive amount of stinking trash. I crouched down beside him just in time to see a patrol of two elves. Their pointy ears and purple eyes gave them away. They were twisty, turny creatures I didn’t like to mess with much.

“What are they doing away from the door?” I whispered. “Wait, it’s because of what we did with the sentry, right?”

“I am too lazy to fight unless there is a good reason.”

“So, the plan is to sneak?” I asked, my heart pattering with excitement.

A gleam of mischief entered those dark eyes as his lips twitched into a smirk. “You good with that, Little Red?”

“Heck yes.”

CHAPTER 16

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