Page 28 of Magic Hunted
Her eyes flared and shock passed over her face before she collected herself. “I had no idea.”
“No idea of what?” Taredd demanded.
“Let’s make them able to understand us before you grovel, General,” Shanyirra said.
“Grovel?” Taredd questioned, sleek white brows flicking up into his hairline. He didn’t give me the impression he groveled. If he wanted something, he would just take it by force.
I struggled against the grip of the elf, panicking now because I didn’t know what she was going to do. I didn’t want the alphas hurt. I just wanted them to be free from the mess I’d brought into their lives. “I didn’t ask for it. Just let them go and I’ll give you whatever you want.”
“Be at ease, child. I know who you are.”And what in the seven hells does she mean by that?
Shanyirra leaned over Savvas to put one of the stones on his throat. She whispered a handful of words under her breath. The stone glowed and sank into his skin. Shanyirra moved to Dias and did the same thing before moving to Ashir. I tensed, expecting a stone in my neck, yet she stood back and made no move toward me.
“It’s done. They can understand us now,” Shanyirra said.
I gaped at the elderly elf. How was it that I understood their language? They needed spelled stones and I didn’t? It made no sense.
Ashir jostled the guards, a predatory growl rising in his chest. “Let my mate go. Don’t hurt her.”
“Or what will you do, shifter? I don’t take orders from thieves,” Taredd said.
“I didn’t steal anything from you. You have to believe me,” I said, flinching when Taredd turned his burning blue eyes on me.
He stalked over to me, towering over me. I had to tip my head back to look into his terrifying face. The shifters were tall, and I only came to Taredd’s armored chest. This close there was no mistaking the angry twist of his mouth or the inferno in his eyes. “I think you understand very well what you stole. Hand it over now, or I’ll rip you open and take it out myself.”
Ashir roared so loud the vibrations trembled through me. Taredd pierced my neck with his sword. “Behave shifters or I’ll remove the chance to explain herself I’m gifting her along with her head.”
“I…I can’t.” My heart hammered an erratic pattern in my chest as sticky heat coated my skin.
“Enough, General. See for yourself.” Shanyirra slammed her palm to my forehead and grabbed Taredd’s wrist. Her eyes glowed pure white and the itching invasion inside my head grew to a painful scratching. Memories burst in my mind’s eye, finding the events with accuracy. My three fathers lying dead in pools of their own blood. My mother saying her goodbyes. My scream as she impaled herself and embedded the section of the grimoire to be hidden inside me. Her last words as she wove my protection spell into the substance of my body, using the last piece of magic she’d ever weave alive with her sacrifice. The death magic necessary to keep me, as well as the grimoire, safe until my natural dying day. The need for my mates to find me and the secret of releasing the grimoire from my body.
All of my secrets laid bare. Ripped from the grave I’d buried them in.
Ashir snarled, and the sound reverberated around the hut. Powerful arms locked about me, embracing me with the scent of oranges and cloves. I tried to keep the cyclone of emotion Shanyirra had unearthed locked tight, but the built-up force was too great. A huge, wracking sob broke from my mouth. Once it started, I couldn’t stop it. Wave after wave of grief, loss and rage ripped from where I’d stuffed it all.
A commotion surrounded me. Harsh voices and the sounds of flesh striking flesh. I cried out, clutching Ashir as I buried my face against his chest, burrowing into the comfort he provided.
Ashir picked me up. My feet left the ground and he swung me around. He grunted in my ear, jolting as though someone had struck him and his hold tightened on me. The warrior elves traded punches with Dias as Savvas ripped the guard pounding on Ashir’s back off him.
“Enough!” Taredd yelled. He held up his hand and pinched his fingers together.
Ashir choked. One arm left my waist to clutch his neck where the band glowed. Dias fell to his knees, struggling to breathe, while Savvas gripped his neck with both hands. The elf guards panted in exertion, and one picked himself up from the ground, bruises blossoming on his cheek.
Taredd stared at me, his chest heaving, taking in lungfuls of air. His eyes glowed, bright with power, intense, triumphant. “By the gods…you’re one of our Chosen!”
Chapter Fifteen
Shanyirra snapped her fingers and our collars turned to ash. The alphas fought for breath with the sudden release. I didn’t know why Taredd called me one of their Chosen but then it didn’t matter as the grimoire’s magic blazed through me. It battered against the barrier, trying to free itself to force a bond. It hammered against the barrier and the fracture cracked a little more. Ashir and Dias’ soul-lights slipped through and their essences touched mine.
No, gods no!
Ashir’s eyes flared. I caught an echo of his surprise, longing and joy. Savvas was an open book of warmth. My awareness barely touched Dias’ burning determination before everything slammed shut, leaving me in nothing but dark silence.
The magic scoured me with an acidic burn. The barrier trembled, wanting to break apart and seal our bond. That couldn’t happen. I wouldn’t let it happen. If I had to hold it together with will-power alone, then I would. I’d do anything to stop us from bonding.
Shimmering gold coated my vision. My mouth opened on a silent scream and my bones and everything inside me fractured.
“Haera!” Ashir caught me in his arms when my legs buckled and we sank to the ground. “Haera. What’s wrong?”
