Page 65 of Summoning the Orc

“Their mates aren’t on this plane,” she said with a quick shake of her head. “I already scried for them, of course. I wanted to help.”

“You didn’t tell me that,” Krusk argued, taking a step toward us before seeming to realize what he was doing and focusing on the forest instead. “You said you could help us.”

“Oh, sorry, I guess I didn’t explain it,” she said with a shrug, still sprinkling herbs. “They have to be within a certain distance,” she continued. “And I amplified my power as much as I could, but they aren’t here.” She tapped her chin, shaking her head. “I don’t think they’re on this plane. We can take you to ours,” she added with a careless shrug. “If you’d like. Even if they aren’t there, I can make another portal for you once I’m thereand we can try again. This kind of magic uses huge amounts of power, so I’d need to recharge.”

They gaped at her, glancing between each other. “Go to where you’re going? To where you’re taking Rok?”

She nodded, slapping her hands together and holding them under her chin. “You can stay with me! I have a house there that my mom left me. It’s not very big,” she added, eyeing them and tilting her head. “But Iguesswe can all fit.”

They were still blinking at her when she turned to the circle of herbs and held her hands out. When her fingers started to glow, I glanced at the males who’d turned their gazes to me.

“I know it’s daunting,” I said with a shrug, “to go to a new place, but I have a clan there who would be able to help you as well. And I have enough gold to take care of you.”

“We have our own thanks to you,” Krusk said in a low, grateful voice before turning to face his brothers. “I suppose it’s something we can discuss.”

“You have to do it quick,” the witch called, “because I’ve started the portal and it’s going to be now or never.”

Their jaws dropped, but the sound of footsteps had us all swinging toward the forest.

“Let us know when it’s ready,” I told the witch. “The warlocks are here.”

She gave me a horrified look and squeaked, “Okay,” before continuing with her magic.

I made my way to the door of her home, pulling my axe free and facing the threat that was coming toward us. This female was risking her life to help us and we were going to protect her.

“I need you for this part,” she called to me, holding one glowing hand out toward me. I frowned, glancing at Krusk and he gave me a solemn nod as he lowered himself in a defensive stance, his axe at the ready.

I held my hand out to meet hers and a shocking jolt ofelectricity shot through me when we connected. The pulse of energy gripped my chest, and images of my gorgeous mate flashed through my mind. I was surrounded by the warmth of our connection and it almost took me to my knees.

“Oh, she’s beautiful,” the witch told me. “Don’t worry. This bond is so strong, I can already feel the portal opening. I just need some more time.” She released me and I stumbled away from her as the connection with my mate dimmed.

I was tempted to grab her hand again, so I could feel my mate again, but I turned away, bracing myself to protect the witch so I could return to Becca.

“I’m Rok,” I told the witch, belated realization that I’d never introduced myself dawning as I squared off in front of her.

“I’m Zara,” she called to me, her glowing hands moving in intricate patterns in front of her.

The sounds of footsteps were almost upon us, so I moved to the door. I narrowed my gaze, my nose scenting dozens of males coming in our direction. With dusk fast approaching, visibility was going to be an issue soon.

“Fuck,” Krusk muttered, shaking his head. Savla nodded in agreement while Enka gripped his axe so tight, I wondered if he’d leave an indent in the wood. “There’s a lot of them,” he said in a low, worried voice.

“And they wield magic,” Enka added, swallowing hard.

“But they’d need time for spells,” I told them, trying to soothe their worries. “If anything, their weapons and shields will be fortified, but the only one we need to worry about is—” I broke off as movement in the trees gave way to a male on a large horse, his blond hair waving in the wind. “Him,” I growled, having heard about the grand warlock from other orcs who’d encountered him.

He wasn’t a fair fighter and he used everything as a weapon. I scowled, my axe inching up a bit more as I braced myself for hisattack. He narrowed his cold, blue eyes at us, a terrible smile on his face.

“Oh look,” he scoffed from a distance. “She’s found some filthy defenders. I’m assuming you’re the ones who broke into our stronghold and stole food as well?”

I felt Savla flinch next to me, and guilt hit my chest again.

If only—

I cut off that train of thought, focusing on the male. “Whatever we’ve taken, we’ll pay you back tenfold if you leave now.”

His blond eyebrows rose. I’m sure he considered himself handsome. The male was what most females found attractive on the outside, but the cold, calculating evil that pervaded every pore of his body told me a different story.

He’ll gut you while keeping that fake smile on his face.

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