Page 68 of Magic & Secrets
I glanced at Calla, who met my gaze. She offered a soft smile as if to soothe my racing heart.
“Should we run?” I whispered when the Elves were out of earshot.
Calla glanced in the direction we were headed. Mt. Elysium felt a lifetime ago, but we could reach its safety within days.
“Mali is a member of the Gathering,” Calla said. “Running makes sense.”
“But?” I asked, hearing hesitation in her voice.
“Though we eliminated the creatures that killed your kind, there are more collaborators in the world. Should we be so selfish as to walk away from the battle?”
“To protect you?” I asked and studied her lovely face. “Yes.”
“Mali might have information your leader will want to know.”
The Elves had slowed their movements, likely realizing we hadn’t followed them yet.
My gaze sharpened as I zeroed in on the peak of Elatalora in the distance. The city was the crown jewel within the world of magic folk. I was a little surprised the Murade hadn’t destroyed it long ago. Perhaps, even the humans admired what the Elven Empire had built.
I returned my gaze to Calla and tried to decide on our best path. The idea of running felt right, but I wasn’t certain we could create enough distance between the army within Elatalora and us. The thought of arrows raining down on Calla panicked me enough to decide to play nice with the Elves for now.
Calla
THE AWE-INSPIRING ELATALORAwas shrouded in perpetual silver mist and cloaked in a blanket of moss and ivy. This otherworldly metropolis felt like a place where nature and civilization fused into something ethereal and eternal.
Homes and halls were carved directly into the fertile Doblin Hills. Elatalora’s architecture acted as a seamless blend of nature and stone. The constant mist created a dreamlike stillness in the city.
Roque and I followed the unit of Silver Elves along the white lane leading toward the city. The Elven Empire had created its own language and laws. A warning was etched over the arch at the bridge leading to the city.
“Welcome to those coming in peace. Doom to those seeking war.”
Lined with moss, the gray-stone Omni Bridge stretched precariously over a deep cavern. Mist swirled in the abyss on either side of the bridge.
Entering Elatalora should have terrified me. My identity couldn’t be hidden much longer. I wanted to turn around and leave this place. I even glanced back at where we came and imagined Mt. Elysium.
I wanted nothing more than to see Roque’s home and reunite with my sisters. We could regroup and strategize for the incoming dangers. Instead, I chose to enter a place with no easy escape.
Most of the Elven Empire’s military was stationed around this magnificent city. If Mali viewed Roque and me as threats, he could unleash tens of thousands of warriors against us.
Worried for my mate, I sunk my fingers into his thick coat and inhaled his alluring scent. Nothing could keep me from killing and dying to protect him.
After passing over the Omni Bridge, the Elves guided us to the Tower of Reason, a glorious structure at the heart of Elatalora. I leaned my head back to see the rooftop skimming the heavens.
Climbing off Roque, I covertly stroked his side before steadying myself. The Elves called out to their brethren, speaking of an upcoming feast in honor of the Bane Shifter in their midst. They also sent word to Mali of Roque’s arrival.
Roque shifted into his human form and glanced down at me. Unable to control myself, I smiled up at him. His expression hid nothing. Concealing our mate bond would prove impossible.
“Roque of the Bane Shifters!” Mali announced, emerging from the tower with a pack of elder Elves. “Welcome to Elatalora.”
Mali’s silver eyes shone at the sight of Roque. I approved of how the Elves treated my mate. Roque deserved respect for how he'd suffered to keep the Territories safe.
Once Mali’s silver eyes fell upon me, they dimmed considerably. He wasn’t a frequent visitor to the Citadel, but he immediately recognized my lineage.
“And who is this?”
“His apprentice,” Wel answered, sounding skeptical of Roque’s earlier lie.
Mali’s gaze flashed to me before he told Roque, “I wasn’t aware the Bane Shifters took on apprentices.”
