Page 82 of Magic & Secrets
Calla laughed joyfully. “When we reach your mountain, you can shift into that size and cuddle in my lap.”
Sharing her grin, I imagined us at Mt. Elysium. If Simnia had kept his word about providing air transport, we might havearrived at my home in a day. Now, the mountain felt nearly out of reach.
“We’ll need to leave through the window,” Calla said. “The bathroom ones are too small for me since I can’t turn into a cat.”
Grinning, I walked over to the single window and looked down. We were a half dozen stories up. Jumping down wasn’t the issue. The Tower of Reason was located in the heart of Elatalora. We couldn’t slip out unseen even at night. This city had eyes everywhere.
“We’ll drop down and run until something gets in our way,” I said as Calla tied her hair back.
“What if they attempt to negotiate?”
“We’ll pretend to consider their offer while counting our targets. Once we’re ready, we’ll fight our way out of the city.”
Calla rested her hand on my forearm as I prepared to jump. My gaze met hers.
“We can’t be here when the New Armgard warriors arrive,” she said, fearing the challenge of battling her kind.
“We’ll be long gone by the time they arrive.”
Smiling at my certainty, Calla watched me drop from the window. I landed on the stone road, startling a few Elven guards. I gave them a head nod as if my arrival was completely normal. Based on how they merely scowled, I assumed the Elves were becoming accustomed to my odd behavior.
Calla landed next to me, softly like a feather floating to the ground rather than a boulder like I’d been. I smiled at how different we were. Her gaze held such affection. Nothing could stand in our way when we fed the magic bond between us.
A street over from the Tower of Reason, Simnia cut off our escape. Two dozen of his guards blocked the road, swords at the ready, while the elder Elf stepped forward.
“We’re leaving. If you stop us, we will move you out of the way,” I insisted and caught sight of Mali watching us from a balcony in a nearby building.
“Roque, new information has come to our attention regarding your apprentice. We need to discuss the situation before you will be permitted to leave. Please, consider our thoughts on this matter.”
“You’re choosing the wrong side, Simnia.”
“I have chosen the same side as yours,” he explained as his silver eyes flashed with warmth. “What is good for the Elven Empire is also good for the Bane Shifters. This creature at your side is a temptress.”
“She is my mate,” I announced and stroked Calla’s head. “You know what that means for a normal Shifter. Now, imagine the violence a Bane Shifter will unleash to protect his mate.”
Stepping closer, Simnia lifted his hands outward in a sign of submission and peace. He wasn’t the one I worried over. A plotting Mali watched us smugly as he was joined by a female Elf.
“Let’s discuss this matter a bit more. You planned to leave later in the day. We will sit down with the Silver Elves Council and learn what we can about your mate. Once everyone is satisfied in regards to her intentions, I will personally accompany you to your destination to ensure you aren’t dropped anywhere else.”
Simnia was an honorable Elf. Though I would be saddened to remove his head from his shoulders, he chose to listen to my enemy.
“This is good, Roque,” Calla said, glancing up at me and wearing the overly steady expression of a liar. “We can explain my origin to the Elves. If the Gathering hopes to rule Lavinia, that would also make them the masters of this land.”
“You’ve been deceived,” I told Simnia. “So, your words can hold no power. The enemy in your midst needs to keep us here until the afternoon.”
“Why?” Simnia asked, gesturing for his guards to lower their weapons as a sign of good faith.
Calla answered, “Mali and Limbrica are waiting for the New Armgard to arrive to dispose of me.”
The word “Armgard” sparked a wave of fear and disgust through the Elven warriors and curious onlookers. Simnia’s breathing increased as he thought of this new threat traveling to his city.
“What happens now?” Simnia asked.
“Is that question for me or them?” I asked and gestured at Mali and the female Elf.
Simnia studied Calla and then his gaze sharpened on me. I felt him piecing together his options.
“I won’t be a part of this madness!” Simnia announced and gestured for his guards to clear the way for Calla and me.
