Page 127 of Obsidian and Frost
“Wow, that’s a hell of a favor. Is that something we need to be concerned about?”
“No. It was a repayment of sorts for me doing a big favor for Kai.”
“What kind of favor could warrant that?”
“He required a necromantic master to liberate himself from a fucked-up fate forced on him since birth.”
“Kai Hunter? In that position?”
“He’s more complicated than most people are aware. He wishes to keep his original reputation intact, though. It’s not my right to say more.”
“I’m actually surprised you gave me that much.”
“Well, I’m trying to be as open where this is concerned as you asked for.”
“And other things?”
“Other things like what?”
“I don’t know, but you strike me as a keeper of a whole lot of secrets.”
“That I am. I know a lot of… key figures… shall we say, and my dealings with such people involve discretion. That’s another matter to my sickness, though. And that’s not what you asked for transparency on.”
“Always with an answer for everything.”
He winked. “Oh, absolutely,wolfie.”His magic sparked, startling me from the suddenness of it. Then my wolf clawpendant appeared on his palm. “This was on the floor. I assume it fell out of your robe that Velra is wearing.”
“Yeah, I don’t wear it during Graverun fights. Don’t want it to get damaged.”
“I noticed.”
I smiled and took it from his palm. “Thanks,” I said, as I clasped it back around my neck.
“Any time.”
He walked to the other side of the kitchen and rummaged in one of the cupboards for a moment.
Then he was pulling out a bag full of his homemade jerky and tossing it to me. “Get started on that while I make something more substantial.”
“Make it? Is your magic still unstable, then?”
“No. I told you I’m well this morning, and I am. I woke up and injected another serum.”
“How many do you need per day?”
“Three now.”
“Now?”
He winced and turned to me, leaning against the countertop. “It used to be one, but my body has developed a resistance to it.”
“Fuck, Sylas.”
“It’s under control. It’s being worked on. And for the time being, the serum, despite me needing more, is still doing its job.”
“Except when you overexert yourself.”
“Yes.”
