Page 80 of The Demon's Discovery
Vassago
“Your range is improving,” Rylan said thoughtfully as I set down the case I’d used my mist to blink back to our hut to retrieve.
“It is.” I intentionally held both forms at once. His eyebrow went up.
“Mm.” My brother smiled but kept whatever thoughts he had about that development to himself, accepting the small opal ring from my outstretched hand. “And yours.” I slid it off my finger and handed it over as well.
Most of the time, I wore the larger opal on my right index finger and the smaller one on my left pinky, but after our recent revelations, I’d decided the smaller one belonged to Greta. Once properly enchanted, even if our blood bond waned, I would be able to find her, no matter the distance. Given what Rylan and Calla had gone through, I was taking no chances with her.
“You understand the human implications of rings,” Rylan asked.
“Of course I do.”
He studied my face for a moment, long enough that we were able to hold an entire conversation only using subtle shifts inour eyebrows and the set of our mouths. Finally, he nodded and smiled, approving of whatever it was he’d seen there.
Magnus was proudly admiring Imogen’s work, including several new Light blades. She was there as well, standing off to the side, a flush in her cheeks as her father gushed proudly over her talent.
“Do you like the one I loaned you, demon?” he asked me.
“Yes. It’s well balanced. Feels much like my regular sword. Is that one of yours as well?” I asked her.
She shook her head. “No, that one came from Tynan I believe. He was forge master for many years before I took his place.”
“Ah. I like it fine,” I answered.
“Would you like to keep it?” Magnus smirked.
“I thought the agreement was I would do just that until further notice?”
“It is. I’m just wondering if you’d rather take one of these instead. A gift.”
“A generous one,” Rylan said, and Imogen gave a polite head bow.
“It’s my pleasure,” she replied. “Much like the dagger I made for your mate.”
Rylan smiled, though whether it was the mention of Calla or the blade he was grinning at, I wasn’t sure. “Have you taught Greta to fight at all?” he asked, placing both rings on a cloth atop the nearest table.
I shook my head. “Her energy isn’t adequate for that yet, I don’t think. Though perhaps soon.”
“She should be armed,” Magnus muttered, nodding as he examined the options. “Imogen has offered any that speak to you, demon. I’m sure you will not take such a gift for granted.”
I turned to look at her, finding a proud smile on her face. “Truly?” I asked.
“Yes. For both you and Greta. You should be properly equipped. It is the way of the conclave to take care of its guests, stone kin or not.”
I understood the gravity of what she was offering. A new blade, one with no other owner was special, but one imbued with Light? A blade forged by stone kin hands was rare. But one specifically made to kill creatures of Hell? Invaluable.
“Greta should make her own choice.” They all smiled at my assertion, which left me shaking my head as I tried them out one by one. When I took the third one off its pegs, a surge ran through me, and I froze. I looked around for the source of the electric sensation, glancing at my brother who just stared back innocently.
“Wasn’t me,” he put his hands up. “I don’t even have my magic out.”
“Ah. That’s the one then,” Imogen chuckled, taking it from me so she could match it with a sheath.
“The one I loaned you works well enough, but this one is yours.” Magnus clapped a hand on my shoulder.
“Thank you,” I bowed my head as I accepted the gift from Imogen.
“You’re welcome. If you’ll excuse me, I need to go get ready.”
