Page 74 of Magic & Secrets
Roque stubbornly snarled, “No.”
“Saying no doesn’t change the reality of your situation.”
“The Bane Shifters are in danger,” I told Mali when Roque only growled. “The cult needs to replace their offerings.”
“They have spells from Ivitithi. Nothing more. If they attempt to hunt the Bane Shifters on Mt. Elysium, these creatures will succumb to the toxic land. If Roque’s pack wants to remain safe, all they must do is hide on their mountain.”
“We will not hide,” Roque said, despite his plan to bring me to the mountain to hide.
Mali ignored Roque and looked into my eyes. “You must go to the Citadel and inform the Gathering of this new issue.”
“I can’t leave Roque.”
“You shouldn’t be mating. There’s no telling what your offspring might be.”
“No,” Roque said, growing frustrated. “I don’t care about the Gathering or this cult or you. I also don’t care about rules or mutant offspring.”
“Mutant?” I asked.
He smiled and stroked my head. “I’m glad you don’t have horns like the other Armgard.”
Mali rolled his eyes. “Knock it off.”
Roque snarled down at the Elf. “Watch your tongue or I will remove it from your mouth.”
I stood between them and lied, “I should travel to the Citadel to speak to the Gathering and learn if my sisters have returned home. Roque needs to warn Tempe of the threat. Afterward, I will travel to Mt. Elysium.”
“You are a member of the New Armgard. You can’t simply retire and play house.”
“There are many Armgard warriors with no mates. They can battle while I play house. After all, mates are chosen by the Sagesse. How can I deny the magic of those beyond the veil?” I said and then lied again, “But for now, Roque and I will put the common good above our own needs.”
“No,” Roque grumbled. “Don’t listen to him. He’s devious. All Elves are.”
“He is a member of the Gathering,” I told Roque, though my words were meant for Mali. “Their one goal is to bring peace to the Territories. If we can help them achieve that objective, shouldn’t we at least try?”
Roque stared into my eyes and recognized my lies. I had no intention of returning to the Citadel. The Gathering would rather execute me than worry about my mate bond.
Roque didn’t want to bow to Mali or anyone else, yet he saw the logic behind my deceits. We simply needed the Elves to allow us to leave. Afterward, we were free to travel to Mt. Elysium.
“I will allow this,” Roque said and exhaled roughly. “Where would this cult take their offerings? I know nothing of the ancient ones.”
“Ivitithi is said to slumber under the Isle of Midsomer.”
“What do the Elves intend to do about this issue?” Roque asked. “You don’t actually think the cult will stop with the Murade, do you? If they want to rule the Territories, they will come for the Elven Empire next.”
“We don’t believe this cult can wield the power they hope to unleash. According to the ancient records, Ivitithi was a cruel, greedy monster. There’s no reason to believe it would do much more than enslave the cult.”
“Enslaving them to do what?”
“Bring blood offerings. What use does Ivitithi have in controlling the Territories? Like all the ancient ones, it can no longer live on the surface of this world.”
“It would seem like the easiest solution to this problem would be to inform the Murade of the cult,” I suggested. “Allow them to unleash their wrath on the cult. The Elven Empire would appear helpful by alerting them. The Bane Shifters could return to their mountain. If the Murade is focused on the cult, they’ll be less likely to notice the Gathering.”
Mali studied me warily. “Were you always this cunning?”
“Yes, but there was no benefit in revealing my ideas at the Citadel.”
“Go there and tell Gregory of your plan. If he agrees, the Elven Empire will send a delegation to Shining Jewel to meet with the Murade.”
