Page 45 of Guarded By the Orc

I faced him instead of turning and looking at the splendor around us, and I could tell from that ever-present mischievous smirk on his face that he was pleased.

“Faunus has agreed to provide you with a branch,” he said with that deep, powerful voice of his, gesturing behind him to a hugerowan that swayed with a non-existent breeze. “And you’ll be able to make a wand that’s powerful enough to protect you from the warlock.”

A shuddering breath left me and I couldn’t speak beyond the lump of emotion in my throat. Gratitude filled me, but I didn’t know how to express it. A knowing gleam filled his eyes and he moved toward the tree he was talking about, holding a palm out as he got taller and taller.

I gasped, eyes wide, as he reached a branch, his hand cradling it with care. He didn’t move, but the branch snapped and separated from the tree. A small shudder left it, but Papa Bois pressed his forehead to the tree and stroked a gentle palm across the bark in thanks before returning to his previous height.

He moved toward me, the branch tucked against his chest as he neared. “Use this with care,” he warned and my hands shook as I took it from him.

“Thank you,” I whispered, lowering my forehead to press against the branch. “To you and to Faunus. To the forest for allowing us to be here and to all the animals who let us pass.”

A small, pleased huff left Papa Bois’ lips and he patted my head with a big, strong palm. “When the time comes, child, bring them here. The forest will protect you and your family,” he murmured.

I smiled at him, but he continued without waiting for a response.

“It will be night soon. You cannot leave the forest. It is most vulnerable during the dark hours and I cannot have any breaches in my barrier.” He moved closer to me, tilting his head while his gaze penetrated my entire being. “And I sense something else.”

With a wave of his hand, the males around me disappeared. I gasped, looking around to find them, but he shook his head. “I need to speak to you alone. I’ve sent them to the caves whereyou’ll spend the night.”

“Caves?” I gasped, fear sparking its way down my back. “We can’t go home?”

“Not tonight,” he tilted his head from side to side, examining me. “I told you I cannot open the barrier.”

Swallowing hard, I nodded, trying to figure out why he was getting so close.

“You’ve been cursed,” he said with a low, thoughtful hum. “I haven’t seen this one in a long, long time. It’s dark magick. Blood magick.”

I gave him a slow nod, shocked to the core that he could sense it before parting my lips.

“I cannot break it for you,” he interrupted me, giving me a small smile. “As soon as you pass through the barrier again, it will return.”

I froze, shaking my head. “Does that mean that I’mnotcursed right now?”

“No other magick can get through here,” he explained, raising his arms, and a low light left his hands. “Not through my territory. You’re safe here from the curse,” he added with a gleam in his eyes. “But it also means thatyoucan’t use magick as well.”

Shock filled me. Magick was something that was so inherent in me—so deeply ingrained—that I hadn’t ever imagined not being able to use it. While I was still in training, so I wasn’t the mostadept, I always had access to it. My fingers flared, seeking the familiar comfort of the warm purple glow of my magick.

When nothing came, I swallowed hard.

“That’s why you’ll come here,” he told me, moving backward, toward one of the trees, his hand running down the bark. The tree swayed without any breeze again. “I can protect those that need it and leave him to you.” His eyes glowed a deep, deep green for a long, silent moment and then he nodded.

“I cannot intervene, Zara. This battle has been written for a long time. The outcome is not mine to affect, but for those that need protection, I can provide it. Bring them when the time is near.” His words were gentle, but his tone was firm.

“I will,” I said, bowing my head in thanks, but when I lifted it again, I found myself facing a stone wall.

I stumbled back, gasping in shock, but was immediately surrounded by strong arms and a scent I knew better than my own.

“Thank the Gods,” Rudgar whispered into my hair, squeezing me tight. “I didn’t know where we were, but I couldn’t find you.”

“We have to spend the night inside his barrier,” I explained, peeking around him to see the other three males, standing in a protective circle around us. “Don’t worry. We’re safe here.”

They relaxed in increments as I saw the cave behind them. It was a huge open area with what looked like off-shoot caverns from where I could see. Warmth exuded from the back of the main cavern and I tiptoed to try to see what the source was, but I couldn’t. The sound of water dripping off of the stalactites that protruded from the ceiling was all I could hear.

“Now that you’re here, we can explore,” Krusk said, turning in a circle so he could take in more of the cave. “This is huge. And I smell food,” he added, pointing toward one of caverns we couldn’t see.

“We can bring everyone here before the battle,” I said, tilting my head and remembering what Papa Bois said. “I think it’s part of the reason he’s showing it to us. To let us know that our family will be safe.”

Rudgar’s eyebrows swept up as he looked around. “The clan?”

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