Page 81 of Magic & Secrets
“Calla believed there would be only three Bane Shifters, and we assumed they would become alarmed if they saw so many female warriors.”
“She saw what Solme Divige wanted,” Limbrica insisted. “The ancient one has been orchestrating everything from the darkness.”
“What good can come from breeding the two species?”
A distraught Severine immediately cried, “Domination of the Territories! Their offspring could become unstoppable!”
“It’s possible we could use this for our benefit,” Mali suggested.
“No,” Gregory said instantly. “This must be stopped. We are faced with a single Bane Shifter and a member of the New Armgard. Kill them and the problem will solve itself.”
“And what of her sisters and the other two Bane Shifters?” Mali asked.
“We will begin efforts to track them and end the threat.”
“How do you suppose we kill a Bane Shifter and a member of the New Armgard?” Mali asked, full of frustration.
“When we lost contact with the original bevy, I dispatched several bevies of New Armgard to track them down. They’ve been rerouted to Elatalora and will arrive tomorrow before the sun is at its highest. Keep the Shifter and Calla entertained until they can be put down.”
“They’ve made contact with Elves from within the council,” Limbrica explained. “There are plans in motion to transport the Shifter and Calla to Mt. Elysium.”
“Delay it.”
Mali immediately demanded, “How do you suppose I should do that?”
Gregory sighed with deep annoyance. “Tell these Elves on the council that Calla is a threat. Claim she is a member of the Cult of Ivitithi and has bedeviled this simple Shifter with her magic.Insist Calla remain at the city to prevent the Shifter from rallying his kind to war against the Elven Empire.”
Mali nodded with approval while Limbrica silenced her concerns. I felt a chill fall over the Gathering’s members. They looked around at the same moment, likely sensing Solme Divige’s gaze upon them.
Sending me back to my body, the ancient one woke me with a violent shake. Roque roused immediately, wrapping himself tighter around my form.
I noticed a hint of sunlight piercing the mist outside the window. The day was already upon us, and the New Armgard warriors were on their way.
Kissing Roque, I relished the taste of his flesh against mine. We had not faced a true battle until now.Could we control our mate bond enough to unleash our power?
With a legion of Elven warriors between us and Mt. Elysium, I reached out to Solme Divige and begged for the power to protect my mate and return him to his beloved mountain.
Roque
CALLA’S DREAM FILTEREDinto my mind, revealing just enough for me to understand we were in danger. She leapt out of bed and searched for her clothes and weapons.
“The sun is already here,” Calla warned as she dressed. “The New Armgard warriors are only a few hours away. Maybe closer. Gregory has always underestimated us.”
Once Calla strapped her last weapon to her gear, I lifted her into my arms and pressed my lips against hers.
“You are a powerful warrior,” I murmured. “I can trust you to fight.”
Understanding my fear, Calla cradled my jaw in her tender fingers and whispered, “And you are a fearsome weapon. I don’t need to fear for your safety.”
Kissing her again, I forced myself to rest her on her feet. Despite our hurry to escape, Calla paused to paint her face with an incantation of Solme Divige.
“The hallways are a tight fit,” Calla said as she glanced at the door. “You’ll be at a disadvantage in a small space.”
“I can shift into tiny beings.”
Calla grinned. “How small?”
“I once became a housecat to make my way into a location undetected.”
