Page 44 of Magic & Secrets
No doubt attempting to seem casual, Roque took a bite of the stew and offered a smile. “This meal tastes better than the food on the mountain.”
Nodding, I watched him while we ate. Roque’s gaze glowed as he studied me.
Curious about his life, I asked, “What’s it like on your mountain?”
Roque’s gaze warmed even more as he thought of his home. “When the Murade suggested the territory, our pack leader nearly tore off the negotiator’s head. We were insulted to be offered a ruined area. However, the Murade swore many animals had adapted to the area. Elk were plentiful. The rivers were full of fish. We would never want for food. Shelters remained from the Jaala Elven Tribe. It’s beautiful, secluded, and quiet.”
Having been taught the history of Mt. Elysium, I knew the many ugly details of the last war before the Bane Shifters were unleashed. The Murade would rather destroy everything than lose to the magic folk.
The Bane Shifters changed how combat worked within the Territories. No more carpet-bombing aggressive factions. The Bane Shifters appeared at dusk, wiped out fighters, and disappeared by dawn. Towns remained intact. Noncombatants were no longer annihilated. The Bane Shifters were viewed as heroes.
Roque’s expression darkened. “It wouldn’t be safe for you on the mountain.”
“It’s been centuries since Mt. Elysium was left toxic from the war. Who knows how non-Bane creatures would fare?”
Roque considered my words while his face revealed a dangerous edge. “Why risk it? The mountain kills its prey in terrible ways. You don’t want to die so gruesomely.”
When I remained tight-lipped, Roque exhaled hard and shrugged. “That’s more proof you’re wrong about us being mates. That bond is created by the Sagesse. Why would they give the Bane Shifters mates who were bound to die if we brought them home?”
I wanted so desperately to confess the truth. Roque and I weren’t so different. When these battles were over, I could return with him to his precious mountain.
At that moment, as his gaze held mine, I was absolutely certain I would walk away from my duty to the Gathering and the New Armgard if I could remain with this handsome creature.
My silence inspired him to keep talking. “Whatever this is between us has to do with the various species working together. Shifters shouldn’t waste time with magic men. That’s abnormal behavior. Obviously, someone has tampered with Lavinia’s natural order.”
“Makes sense,” I mumbled.
“No, you don’t agree.”
“No, I do. Magic is expanding in Lavinia. This is why the Murade are so determined to discover a new world beyond the oceans. They feel their time here is waning.”
“Why would magic expand, though? Who could make such a thing happen?”
Leveling my gaze at him, I stated as a fact, “The ancient ones never died.”
“How can they affect our world when they’re forced to hide underground?”
“I suspect they’re evolving.”
“Evolving how?”
“They’ve learned to brandish their power from the darkness. Pandorium Forest keeps spreading and twisting whatever lives within its borders. The ancient one called Pan-Dissurath is hidden beneath the forest. She’s long claimed those who traveled within Pandorium as her sacrifices. The beast under the forest chooses to twist the humans into more pleasing forms.”
“You think too much.”
“You’ve been hidden away for too long on the mountain,” I replied, irritated by his dismissive tone. “What’s happening here can happen on Mt. Elysium. You must know the tales of the great beast hiding inside your mountain.”
Roque’s blue eyes flashed with recognition. He had no doubt felt the ancient one stirring underground. After all, I sensed the creature whenever I reached out to Roque in my dreams.
“According to my studies, the one living in your mountain is called Tyathossau. It has no gender and took the form of serpents.”
Roque offered me a sly grin. “I feel it when I travel through the cave systems.”
“What does Tyathossau feel like?”
“Like a hungry beast wishing to swallow me whole.”
Smirking, I replied, “What a great honor for Tyathossau to turn a great warrior into its snack.”
