Chapter 15 #4
“Kara.” My name was spoken in a deep, tantalizing rumble.
“I have nothing to do with me being in your head.” His eyes darkened.
I looked at my arm, expecting his mark to have blazed to life, explaining the heat rising beneath my skin, gliding over me.
His roving gaze took in every inch of me, resting at the hollow of my throat, moving to my face, which I knew showed the effort I was putting into trying to ignore my response to him.
His gaze lingered on my bottom lip, gripped between my teeth.
How easily his saying my name awakened the memory of his touch, the lure of his magic and being, and the need to answer the hunger in his eyes.
Tearing my eyes from him, I looked at Amelia. “If you ever compel me or hijack my magic, I’m done with you.”
A cruel amusement put an edge on his words. “Kara, what power do you have to enforce that?”
It was a sobering reality. Death stood before me with powerful magic, remarkable resources, and the capability of unspeakable violence. All I had was locked omni-magic and tenacity.
His words hung in the air. I took several breaths, but the weight of his words reignited my anxiety.
“I don’t have any means to enforce it. I’m asking you to honor my request because it’s the right thing to do.
I’ll do whatever is necessary to pass the Spellrend and release your friends.
You should know that I don’t respond well to being kept in the dark.
I already feel betrayed by my parents and hurt that they have left me woefully unprepared for this world.
Parts of my life will remain a mystery because of that.
” When I finally looked at Cirrian, his expression had flattened.
“I possess magic that I don’t have access to.
To save my best friend, I made a deal with you, using my life as collateral.
I’ve made a lot of concessions. I’d do it again without hesitation.
But you having unlimited access to my thoughts, and being able to compel me or use my magic as you wish, makes me feel vulnerable.
Dealing with you makes me feel powerless.
I’m not used to feeling that way. I hate it.
” My admission softened my voice to a whisper.
I’d just metaphorically bared my neck to Cirrian.
I hoped he wouldn’t use it as an opportunity to rip out my throat.
He extended his hand to me. Once I took it, he said, “You have my word that I won’t invade your mind, compel you, or use your magic,” he said in a solemn whisper. His words held the weight of a binding oath.
“Thank you.” I kept my hold of his hand. “Who am I releasing?”
He sighed. “The lycans.” His thumb made featherlight strokes over my skin as he relaxed into my grip.
“Lycans. As in werewolves?” Underwhelmed, it took a great deal to withhold my retort of “we got them at home.”
He’d been searching for an ashinwa to release mid supernaturals.
They had the ability to change into wolves upon command, possessed preternatural speed and strength, and immunity to magic in their animal form, but compared to the shadow gods’ abilities, they didn’t seem remarkable enough to warrant the undertones of reverence in Cirrian’s voice.
“Our lycans are nothing like yours. Yours are like Samoyeds in comparison. Even that is unfair. I’ll give your werewolves the dignity of not comparing them to Pomeranians.”
Calling Terran a Pomeranian was a good way to find out how fast an Alpha could pack you up for your disrespect. I was positive he’d try, even with a shadow god.
“Okay?” I waited for more and after several long moments of uncomfortable silence he released my hand and placed some distance between us. He ran his fingers through his hair, disheveling it even more.
“Our lycans are larger than your pups. They’re immune to magic and capable of their own.
Stronger than your witches. And they are great warriors.
Aware of their advantages, they often choose neutrality during conflicts.
The draveths, however, were a threat they couldn’t ignore.
But since the lycans had set a precedent of not intervening, the draveths took their involvement with even more hostility.
When the draveths were defeated, their final act before being banished from our realm was to punish the lycans for handing us the victory.
Using a spell that is resistant to my magic, they were imprisoned in our realm.
” His words were tinged with sorrow, but I sensed he was withholding something.
“Is there more?”
“You have all the relevant information.”
Accepting the huge concessions he’d already made, I didn’t push for more information despite my desire for it. He seemed to have shut down, the vault of information closed behind his walls.
He tapped at that damn imaginary watch and looked over at Amelia. It was increasingly annoying. I wished I’d added that to the list of promises he made to me.
Then, he was gone. Now you see him, now you don’t. And I was pretty sure it wasn’t a collection that had called him away.