Page 16 of Fate Calls the Elf Queen

“That was the first interesting thing you’ve done since I woke up.” By his straight posture and easy breathing her attack did nothing.

Thane broke free of the magical hold and dashed in front of her like a protective wall. “Touch her again and I will end you, family or not.”

“Touch her and die, huh? Original. Too bad you couldn’t even if every single life in this castle depended on it.”

He flicked his fingers and one of the unconscious guards lifted into the air. The first one’s head snapped to the side with a pop, and he fell to the ground. “Oops.”

“Don’t,” Thane bit out as the second guard rose.

A dagger formed by magic appeared above his palm, bright blue, iridescent and the tip pointed at the second guard. “This is just to prove that I am a god, and you are still a pathetic mortal.” The dagger flew at the guard and struck him right in the heart. His body convulsed for a moment then he plummeted to the floor. A pool of crimson grew wider with each passing moment.

Layala peeked out from behind Thane’s wide frame and gripped his bicep, watching helplessly as the guard bled out. “I hate you,” she said quietly.

He chuckled. “The feeling is mutual. Nevertheless, I think I’ll stay for a while. It will be like old times with the three of us together again. Don’t worry, I can find a room on my own.” He winked and vanished in a puff of gray smoke.

Chapter6

LAYALA

Layala hurried to the guard closest to her. Even if he stared up at the ceiling endlessly, she dropped to his side and leaned down over his mouth to listen for a breath. Maybe there was a bit of hope she could save him. No sound. She touched his neck to feel for a pulse, just in case. There was no familiar beating against her fingers. Damn it. The other was gone too. She didn’t have to feel for a pulse to know.

Thane knelt beside her and wrapped his hand around her upper arm. “Are you alright?” he asked. “Did he hurt you?”

“No, I’m fine.” Layala stood and stared at the spot the Black Mage disappeared from. The puff of cloud dissipated but his dark presence still lingered here. “What are we going to do? He said he’s going to find a room?! A room. Here.”

Looking like he was about to go on a murderous rampage, Thane marched into the corridor. Layala hurried to keep up with his long strides.

“I don’t know yet.”

“We’re not going to allow this, are we? We can’t.”

“I’m trying to figure out a plan. I expected him to show up, but not to stay.”

“Thane.” Layala nibbled on her lower lip. “You called himfamily. That is not the Hel you grew up with. He’s the Black Mage.”

“How would you know?” Thane snapped. “I thought you didn’t remember anything. Or are you trying to cover up how you truly feel about everything he said in there?”

Layala blinked in shock and halted. “Your pride is wounded, and I understand how you feel but—”

“But what? I mean it’s true, isn’t it? Our mate bond was placed by magic, but you and him…”

“Screw mate bonds, Thane. And if you keep walking away you’ll ruin what we have.”

Thane stopped and turned on his heel, shoving a hand into his hair. His jaw muscles twitched. “I’m sorry.” His chest dropped with a heavy sigh. “We need to find him. Now. He could be doing anything, hurting anyone.” He lowered his voice, “We need katagas serum to weaken him.”

“Will that work?”

He shrugged. “I don’t know. It’s that or we don’t go after him now but wait and get him to let his guard down.”

“We can use me as bait. I’m what he’s after.”

Thane let out a low growl, the look in his eyes pure rage. “No, and it’s not simply you or he would have taken you. As much as I hate to admit, he could have taken you two times, once in the tower and now in the throne room when he had you in his grip. But he didn’t. I can’t figure out why that is yet.”

“I’ll get the katagas serum while you try to find out what he wants. It’s a game for him, and this is chess. He took out our pawns, but it’s only just begun. We need to make a move.”

“What did you mean to use you as bait?” he said slowly.

“I’ll let him catch me alone and use the serum. You come in once he’s vulnerable.”

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