Forty-Seven Camilla
My hand rested on my stomach as a wave of nausea hit me. I groaned and stepped back from the table, bracing my hands on the sides.
“You all right?” Hilma asked.
I nodded and stood upright. That was weird. A rush of cold air danced over my skin, and I suddenly felt totally fine.
“Yeah.” I shook my head. “I am okay. I must just be reaching the end of my magic for the day.”
“Here, let’s try one more time, and if you feel sick again, we will stop.”
I nodded.
Hilma steadied the piece of the medallion and swiped a layer of metallic sap along its edge as I held the other fragment.
“Did she move a lot of soldiers out last night?”
Hilma glanced at me, one of her brows raised. “I mean, she usually does. They are always off doing gods know what.”
I nodded as she brought the piece closer and cleared my throat.
“Did Vincent go?”
A wave of energy pushed the piece away from my hand hard enough to make her yelp and drop it on the table between us. She placed her finger in her mouth, sucking lightly as her skin healed from the small burn.
“One, why are you asking about her High Guard, and two, ouch, that hurt. Can you try to concentrate?”
I tried to plaster an unconcerned smile on my face. “I’m not worried about him.” That was a lie. “I just assume if she sends her most precious guard, something big is going on.”
Hilma wiped her hands along the curves of her dress before picking up the piece again. She grabbed her brush and dipped it in the sap. The medallion was so close to being done. It was a dark gray X-shaped stone, and we only had a few large pieces and a few tiny remaining.
“Well, I guess that’s right. Yes, he left, but only he and his legion. I think Kaden and Isaiah are on another mission. You know, The Eye has been trying to regain a hold on the realms since those portals opened. My theory is they are headed to the Otherworld to stop Nismera from gaining any strong allies.”
That piqued my interest.
“There are strong allies in the Otherworld?”
Hilma wiped another long sweep of that sap along her piece. “Oh, very strong and very pissed after being locked up and all. But they would follow Nismera over The Eye in a second.”
I held my piece firmly. “Really? Why?”
She gave me the look that told me I was asking far too many personal questions.
“How about we focus on this?”
I pursed my lips into a thin line. “Okay.”
She pushed her piece back toward me as I braced myself. That same force vibrated both pieces as we forced them together. I held fast as it shook. Hilma and I swirled our free hands, emerald magic weaving through our fingers. The pieces vibrated as if fighting. They wanted to stay separated.
“Madam?”
Hilma and I glanced toward the door, still holding the pieces.
“Not now, Lucielle,” Hilma snapped, turning back with a look of pure determination crossing her features.
“I apologize. I was supposed to stop by sooner and drop this off, but I had to help heal an amputated leg.”
Lucielle walked forward, dropping a small tied bag near us. The aroma of spiced meats and stew wafted from it, making my mouth water.
“The High Guard of the First Legion suggested this for you, Camilla. I believe the note reads: To help do your job properly.”
A zing spiked through my chest. He knew he wouldn’t make it here for lunch, and he didn’t want me to eat with the other guards. My magic flared at the images that flooded my brain, and the pieces we were holding snapped into place. A slow hum filled the room and then died the next second.
Lucielle jumped back, her eyes as large as saucers. I grinned in triumph, holding up the solid piece.
“We did it.” I smiled at Hilma, who was looking at the small bag between us.
Something flickered in her eyes, but it was there and gone too quickly for me to process it. She smiled at me and said, “No, you did it. My magic stopped the second Lucielle started talking.” She shot the girl a glance that had her squeaking before fleeing the room. Hilma watched her go with narrowed eyes before grinning at me. “You really are one of the strongest witches we’ve come across, or maybe you just needed encouragement.” Her eyes darted to the small bag and note again.
I placed the piece of carved stone down and cleared my throat. “No, I think we just make a great team.” I tried to cover up the uneasiness in my voice but failed completely.
“Sure we do.” She reached for another piece. “Ready to try a few more?”
I nodded, not daring to look at the gift left for me. We tried and failed eight more times before we left. We could only get the one piece together, but at least it was progress.
I took the bag with me when we finished for the night, but I waited until I was in my room with the door closed and locked before I glanced at the note. I read the note repeatedly until the moon crested, and a wave of uneasiness filled my chest.