Page 29 of Dead

Chapter Seven

Noah shifted the instant they crossed the barrier. The king pushed himself between Noah and the shifters on the other side.

“He’s with me!” the king roared.

The animals were all decked out in golden armor, and as they shifted back into their human forms, Noah realized it was the king’s guard. Their armor shifts with them? Noah returned to his human form and was shocked to see his pants seemed to have the same magical ability. No more ripped and shredded clothing? The constant mending and purchasing of new clothing was a pain in the ass.

“Varian,” the king murmured before stepping forward and hugging the man who looked very much like the ruler. “It’s so good to see you… but I requested your father.”

Noah stared at Varian and saw the man’s smile fade some.

Varian forced the smile back into place. “As it is good to see you, too, Cousin. I mean… Your Majesty.” Varian did a lopsided curtsy. “My father is… a little under the weather, so I came in his place.”

Lie… Noah sensed it, and he hoped the king did, as well.

“I need help. I hope you’re up to the task. It’ll be powerful magic in the spell I need.”

Noah stepped to the back of the room and listened as the king repeated the story of the attacks. He watched the king’s guard, noting their rapt attention on him as they all waited with anticipation of another assassin. All were on edge. He could feel them all ready to attack at any second.

And he was glad for it.

He moved about the room, watchful. He didn’t care if he was barefoot and shirtless. Noah was ready to leap into action at any second.

“How’s Eilam?” Theis whispered as he neared.

“Awake.”

Theis sighed. “That’s good to hear.”

“It is.”

They turned back to the discussion between the king and Varian.

“If there’s any of the ash left, it could be helpful in the locator spell,” Varian said.

Theis stepped forward. “We collected some for testing. I can get you a sample.”

Varian smiled at Theis. “That would be wonderful.” He turned back to the king. “I don’t know how long it might take me to create the spell and get your answers. You’d best find somewhere safe to hide until I do.” Varian reached out and grasped the king’s arm. Noah tilted his head when he saw something shimmering in the air around the king’s arm and Varian’s hand.

“What’s that?” Noah demanded.

Everyone froze, and soon turned to stare in the same direction as Noah.

“What?” Theis asked, frowning. “What do you see?”

“That,” Noah pointed. “Shimmering on the king’s arm.”

Theis squinted. “I don’t see anything.”

The king lifted his arm and looked down. As soon as he whipped his head up, Varian vanished.

“Damn him!” the king cried before lifting his hand and moving it over his arm.

The glimmering stopped.

“Was that a spell?” Noah asked, marching closer.

“It was,” the king said. “A tracking spell.” He continued to move his hands, little glyphs illuminating in the air around him. Power churned in his hands before he released it in the direction Varian vanished. The spell glimmered before surging forward and then fading.

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