Page 27 of Joined By Magic

A small group of men equipped with red bracers formed a wall between Leo and the mob. Mages. Leo remained locked in place, tied into the machine with a chain of power. Could he hear what was happening? Was he worried about me and losing focus?

Shit.

The mob surged forward. Blasts of magic shot toward Leo, blocked by the group of mages. Guards attacked the invaders from the rear, and their cohesion broke, dissolving into individual fights. Damien blocked my view, shielding me with his large form as a voice cried, “His whore!”

I peered around Damien in time to see a group splinter off from the main cluster and race toward us. Three men and a priest. Four faces twisted in hatred and disgust aimed at me. Damien’s arm came up and fired. One man dropped as his leg exploded in a spray of blood.

The priest held up his hand, and a shield sprang up. Damien’s next shot rebounded off it. I spun and raced for the karros, blood pounding in my ears. My feet crunched on the ground. I risked a glance back to see another man drop as Damien’s bullet hit him in the chest. The priest and one more man still bore down on me, and I forced an extra burst of speed. If I could reach the karros—

Another thunderclap reverberated through the clearing. My foot caught. I crashed over and hit the ground hard. My arms stung, scratched, as I scrambled to my feet. The priest surged forward, hand outstretched.

A glowing blue wall slammed down in front of the priest. He plowed into it, his momentum carrying him forward. He crumpled to the ground. The man behind him tried to pause but tripped, landing next to the priest.

I lurched to a stop. Recognition blazed bright. The creepy palace priest. He’d been too interested in me from the moment I arrived.

I looked for Leo. The guards had the upper hand. Most of the protesters knelt, arms bound. A group of priests stood in a defensive circle, surrounded by mages. Leo, disconnected from the machine, still blazed with flickering power. It danced over his outstretched hands, and he flung an arm out, loosing a cascade of blue magic into the air with a crackle.

“Stop.” His voice was magnified far beyond normal level. “I’ll strike down the next person who attacks, priest or not.”

One of the priests stepped toward him, fist raised. Guards blocked his path. “You’re an atheist and a foreign traitor. This abomination will damn us all. We’ll see you banished—you and your filthy whore.”

Blue magic exploded at the priest’s feet, showering him with dirt and detritus. The priest jumped back with a shriek, righted himself, and glared at Leo, who took a step forward. “Call her that again.”

The priest narrowed his eyes. “Zantus knows the truth of my soul. You’ll see this territory ruined. What sort of example do you set? Bringing filthy, unnatural technology inside our borders and allowing your prison whore to stand beside you. For shame.”

Leo took another step forward, eyes blazing. I saw disaster and death in his movements. No. He couldn’t. My stupor broke and I rushed to him, gripping his arm. His gaze shot to me, and I blanched at the fury painted over his familiar features.

Stop. Don’t make yourself the villain.

We stood frozen like that for a long moment before he let out a breath. He turned back to the sneering priest. “You can’t halt progress, and you can’t control me.” He raised his voice. “Take them all into custody. I’ll deal with the charges tomorrow.”

Discontented grumbles erupted from the priests. Leo fixed them with a cold stare. “Or, if you prefer, you can be the first to test the portal I’ve created, and I’ll dispense Ataran justice on the other side. You’ve attacked a crown prince. Your decision.”

They quieted. Leo spun on his heel back to the portal. The group of Atarans moved toward it and pulled out devices, whispering between themselves. One faced Leo with a respectful bow, but his voice brimmed with excitement. “It appears to be a success, Your Highness. We’ll need to test it thoroughly before we allow any human subjects through.”

“Thank you. Keep me up to date. I want to be here for the first live journey.”

The group bowed. Leo surveyed the rest of the clearing. “You’re all dismissed. Guards are to remain here at all times.”

Everyone in the clearing snapped into motion at once. Guards bundled prisoners into karros, and the press and Assemblymen pulled out link-ups or drifted to their own vehicles. Some just stared at the portal in wonder. I caught Hex’s gaze. She raised her eyebrows in an unspoken question, and I shook my head. Better Hex and Atalie escaped unscathed.

Leo took my arm. I spun toward him, and he stared into my eyes, his expression unreadable. “Are you alright?” he asked.

“Yes, I’m fine. Just a few scrapes.” Now attuned to it, I could see the telltale signs of magic depletion and exhaustion written across his face. The pallor of his skin, the dark purple circles around his eyes.

I brushed my hand over his cheek. “I’m sorry.”

He shook his head. “It was stupid, Liv. How am I meant to trust you? You could have gotten yourself killed. Or Damien and your friends.” I dropped my hand. “I’m almost drained, I can’t do this now. We’ll have to take a karros home.” He led me to a nondescript black vehicle, and we climbed into the back. Damien took the driver’s seat, glanced once over his shoulder, and hit the button to raise the privacy screen. Cocooned in silence, Leo sagged, eyes closed. In moments, his breathing deepened to the rhythm of sleep.

The weight of guilt lay heavy in my stomach. He was right. I’d been childish and stupid. This wasn’t a game—lives were at stake. I curled against him, trying to take comfort from the warmth of his body. Fear unfurled inside me like a toxic flood. My hands shook. The priests had been aiming for me, especially the one from the palace. Their hatred had been tangible and sickening. Did they despise me so much? How many others felt the same?

With sudden clarity, the truth slid home. My old life was gone. The easy freedom of anonymity, the simple pleasure of moving through the world as a normal person, would never be mine again. This was my life, and I had to make it something I could be proud of.

I studied Leo. In sleep, his face looked softer, with his lips parted. My prize for all I’d given up. Warmth filled my chest as I examined the serene perfection of his sleeping form. He’d die for me. Kill for me. But would he trust me again after today?

I stroked my hand through his jet-black hair, then laid my head on his chest. His heart beat strong. I’d make it up to him. I had to.

Chapter Thirteen

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