Page 50 of Pawns of Fate
Lyla had lived as a tower member long enough to know being of interest wasn’t a good thing for anyone, especially not a certain gentle, shy, pink-haired noble lady. The thought made Lyla grind her teeth.
“Just because I haven’t sensed anything doesn’t mean they aren’t out there. Besides, there have been some strange monster attacks here,”she replied.
“What?”
“They’ve been trying to keep it hidden, but the Ojoh have been dealing with an uptick in monster attacks. I can’t ward against that. I’d have to be physically here to protect them from a monster. Nicholas was right to send me here.”
“You just don’t want to stand in this muddy swamp water with me. Or is that genuine concern for your friends I hear?”
Lyla huffed.“Is it so bad to use our skills to protect every once in a while? Friendship has nothing to do with it. You know that shadow mages can’t develop attachments. It’s too risky.”
Syzman went quiet, and Lyla wondered if she’d inadvertently poked at an old wound, though he should understand her desire to stay unattached more than anyone. “I’ll come to see you and Nicholas. But tell him I don’t like this arrangement. I’ll only stay for twenty minutes, and I can’t come till later.”
“Right. I’ll tell him,”Syzman replied, then severed theconnection.
Her heart twisted with an emotion that she couldn’t name.
“Lyla?” Rose’s voice drifted into her thoughts. “Is everything alright?”
“Sorry, I was daydreaming, my lady. Everything is fine, but we should return to the house if you’ve made your selections.”
Rose nodded, then picked up her stack of books and headed for the checkout counter.
ROSE
Lyla herded herand Ava back to the house as quickly as possible, then demanded they stay inside as soon as the door shut and the guards were out of earshot.
“Why?” Ava asked.
“I need to visit Syzman.”
Ava waggled her eyebrows. “Oh my!”
Lyla snapped. “Not like that.” Rose stifled a laugh. Lyla was usually unflappable, but Ava could always get a reaction when she mentioned Syzman.
“Far be it from me to stand in the way of love,” Ava replied, then dramatically fell on the couch.
Rose thought that Lyla would take the bait. Instead, the shadow mage busied herself with checking the wards.
“Why dowe have to stay inside, Lyla?” Rose asked.
“The wards will protect you if I can’t.” She ran a finger along the script of a ward she’d hidden behind the pile of firewood. “But I won’t be gone long.”
“How are you going to see Syzman?” Rose thought Syzman had joined the swamp campaign. Was Lyla meeting him in town?
Lyla paused, head tilted and brow furrowed with concentration. “I’m a shadow mage, but my affinity is for metaphysical magic. I’m particularly gifted with teleportation.”
Rose tried not to overreact. She’d already thought Lyla was amazing. But knowing she could teleport? That was incredible.
“So stay inside. Please. The wards don’t extend beyond the house.” Lyla began a chant. A spell circle large enough to completely encircle the mage appeared at her feet.
“Fine, fine. If you’re not back in time for dinner, we’re eating without you!” Ava yelled as the spell disappeared, taking Lyla with it.
Lyla reappeared justas Ava put the finishing touches on their dinner. She unceremoniously handed each of them a letter.
Rose looked at the small parchment. It was addressed to her in Nicholas’s handwriting. Rose felt her breath catch for just an instant. She opened the letter, hands trembling.
My Dear Rose,
