Page 19 of Immortal Origins (Chronicles of the Immortal Trials #1)

T he fire roared inside the golden hearth as the group of beings congregated around the study.

Magnus paced in his usual place at the opening of the fireplace, twisting his wrist over the flames as the other hand stroked his beard, deep in thought.

Three figures cloaked in black with the hoods pulled over their faces all stood side by side.

One stood tall with his arms folded and his eyes turned down.

Another leaned slightly against the wall, her eyes roaming up and down the prince with distaste.

While the final tapped her fingers absentmindedly as she pulled her hood over her face even more.

Akadian stared at the crackling flames as he listened to the old mage.

“Nothing is more important, you must understand this,” Magnus spoke just above a whisper so as not to be heard by any outsiders.

“How much does she know?” Akadian crossed his arms over his chest and shot a side glance at the female staring daggers at him.

Magnus shook his head, beard swinging as the glow of the fire bounced off his green and silver robes. “Nothing. She cannot know yet. I fear it would all be too much for her.”

Searing heat flared inside the prince and he forced the flames inside him to recede to a dull simmer. “So, you would leave her to her fate, unknowing of what it truly is?”

“Hold your tongue. You know nothing of what’s at stake!” the female hissed. “Magnus, why do we need him? We shouldn’t involve Eltorian royalty . How do we know he isn’t going to go running to his brother as soon as we leave? Or kill us himself? ”

Magnus sighed and lightly scolded, “I understand your trepidation, but you of all people should know that status in this empire doesn’t equate to loyalty.”

Akadian shot the female a look that could cut through steel. How little they knew. “I know she’s practically defenseless and you all want to throw her to the wolves. But if you want your one chance to lose before it even starts, see what I care.”

Magnus straightened and took a deep breath, closing his eyes as though the gravity of it all was truly hitting him at once.

When the master finally opened his eyes again, Akadian saw a fire that hadn’t been there before and he stood taller as he met the Grand Mage’s gaze.

“You know little of how I care for this child. I never wanted this for her, but we cannot deny fate when it’s been called.

Any less than she can. All we can do is prepare her.

” A sadness crossed over the Grand Mage and his hands dropped to his sides as he ran his fingers delicately over the golden trim of the hearth.

“I’ll never regret anything more in my life that it has to be her.

I’d take her place without another thought if I could.

But we cannot deny that Magick has spoken and it is not up to us to question it.

They’ll come for her. I don’t know how, but they will. ”

“Why won’t you tell me what she stole? What could be so threatening to the gods that they would even bother getting involved?

How can you know they’re even still here?

” Even as Akadian spoke the words, he knew as well as they did the gods were very much alive.

The magickal inferno swirling inside of him was proof enough of that.

“Because, not even you can know everything, prince. That’s how we keep our secrets safe.

No one knows everything until they need to and your only focus should be keeping her alive.

And there is no doubt the gods are still here.

Every being in Almuria would be dead if they weren’t.

They’re alive. And they’re coming.” The male spoke as he kept his face turned down, the hood of his cloak wrapped around it in a way that reminded Akadian of the cobras that lived in Nethyr.

A gilded bow slung over his shoulder in a shape that seemed utterly ridiculous and more decorative than functional, yet he had a hand placed on it as though ready to use it at a moment’s notice.

“How do you know they’re still here though? They came to this world, what if they left it too?” Akadian challenged. He wasn’t even sure why he was challenging them so much. He supposed he wanted to see the extent of their resolve versus blind hate.

“They’re here,” Magnus stated. “There’s no doubt about that.”

“Fine. Then why not tell her? Do you think she won’t be strong enough?

” Akadian said the words but something close to admiration—though, he wouldn’t know, he’d never felt such an emotion before—stirred beneath his skin when he thought back to when she’d made the pledge.

The servant may not be powerful but she was far from weak.

Stupid? Possibly. But not weak. Not where it mattered.

Magnus walked to his chair and sat in it, placing his hands on his desk as he looked at each of them in turn. “Because if she knew, all could be lost. She is the key, but what girl her age, in her position, would ever accept such a task? Would she attempt the trials if she knew?”

“Why do you need me?” Akadian growled. “ You do it. You’ve been training her her entire life. She trusts you. Who better to make sure she stays on track?”

Magnus shook his head solemnly, his eyes dropping with his shoulders.

“I cannot. I know this sounds harsh but she has no other choice. If she doesn’t compete, all hope is lost. We’ve waited too long to feel hope again and we cannot let it slip through our fingers now.

Who knows when fate will decide to give us another chance?

A hundred years? A millennia? If Magick has deemed it time, then it’s time. ”

Akadian forced a breath before eventually shrugging as he ran a hand through his hair. “You’re pretty heartless, old mage. You better be right, otherwise you’re leading her to slaughter. Are you sure about this?”

Magnus said nothing but the fire in his eyes and the charge and pressure that filled the air between them spoke for him.

Akadian glanced at the hooded figures, the corners of his mouth tugging as he met each one, one by one. “And you? You’re all okay with this?”

The three nodded in unison .

“It’s our only choice,” the other female said as she tucked a strand of blue hair behind her ear.

Akadian silently mulled over what they’d told him. If it were true…

“Okay. I’m in. But if you’re wrong, they’ll kill us all.” And a magnificent death it would be… “Are all of you prepared to die?”

Magnus placed a hand on his beard, something in his eyes twinkling as he lifted his chin, his robes swishing around him as he did so. “I’m not wrong. And for her? I’d gladly lay down my life.”

“For bond and bloodlines,” the other three said in unison.

“Always,” the hostile female with reddish brown hair finished, her brows pressing together.

The corners of the prince’s mouth curled upwards. “Good.”