Page 69 of Magic & Secrets
“Haven Junction was emptied by the slaughter. We need new creatures to fill it. This failed warrior can serve us.”
Roque was so obnoxious with his “failed warrior” talk. I could almost hear him chuckling inside when he said the words. Despite my internal amusement, I remained stony-faced.
“Failed warrior?” Mali said, stepping closer. “You seem familiar.”
“I hear that a lot.”
Mali cocked his eyebrow and glanced at Roque. “I would like to speak to your apprentice alone.”
“No.”
“Follow me,” Mali said and turned so abruptly he nearly tripped over his cloak.
Roque narrowed his gaze at the Elf. I doubted my mate planned to submit to Mali’s will. Since we were outnumbered, I decided to play along until Roque and I could sneak away from the city.
“He knows the details behind what happened at Haven Junction,” I told Roque. “He could help your pack claim vengeance.”
Roque grunted his disapproval. “I don’t take orders from Elves.”
“It was a request,” I assured him, despite Mali clearly throwing around commands. “You should hear what he knows about the Cult of Ivitithi.”
My words had an instant reaction amongst the Elves around us. They stiffened and moved away. I felt them speaking to each other mentally.
“Come along,” Mali said when we didn’t follow him immediately.
I brushed my knuckles against Roque’s hand and offered a hint of a smile. His breathing instantly sped up, and his icy blue eyes flashed silver. His mind was on us in Pandorium Forest.
“Soon, we’ll travel to Mt. Elysium,” I promised and gestured for him to follow me.
Mali guided us into the Tower of Reason’s main hall before gesturing at me.
“We should speak alone.”
“No,” Roque snarled, taking a threatening step toward the elder Elf. “Whatever you say to her, you say to me.”
“Because she’s your apprentice?”
“Exactly.”
Mali glanced at me. “What does he know?”
“Enough to be concerned about his pack. Does the Elven Empire know about the Cult of Ivitithi?”
Mali waved his hand dismissively. “Younglings playing dress up.”
“Those younglings wiped out the Shifters in Haven Junction,” Roque growled.
Refusing to become intimidated, Mali kept his gaze on me. “Where is your bevy?”
“It’s complicated,” I said, noticing other Elves entering the room.
Tensing upon the arrival of his brethren, Mali looked to Roque and whispered, “There are topics I need to discuss with your apprentice that shouldn’t be overheard. If you want her to remain safe, why not keep these Elves busy while I speak to Calla?”
Roque snarled his response. Despite his irritation, I saw the soldier in him considering his options.
“Don’t go far,” Roque finally told me before growling at Mali, “Don’t take her far.”
Mali gave him a curt nod and suggested the other Elves should discuss with Roque the species of the Haven Junction attackers. Opening a side door, the elder Elf clicked his tongue at me to hurry after him into a narrow hallway.
