Page 22 of Magic & Secrets (Twisted Magic #1)
Setting aside my bowl, I covered my face and broke into sobs. I missed my sisters. I didn’t know where to go next. Contacting the Gathering made the most sense, but that would mean leaving Roque.
“Don’t waste your hydration on tears, warrior,” Roque said as his wide hand patted my back. “Your sisters are safe with my packmates. Despite their poor showing earlier today, Koda and Delta are nearly indestructible killing machines.”
“I’m frightened,” I mumbled as my gaze locked onto his. “I feel as if I’ve lost my bearings in the world.”
Roque studied me. Of course, he couldn’t understand why I was so afraid. He was blind to his feelings for me. The Bane Shifters didn’t seem capable of thinking past their two skills—hunting and killing.
“I will protect you,” Roque said when he realized silence wouldn’t pacify my sobs.
“What if protecting me leaves you vulnerable?”
“I have lived a very long time while you’ve barely lived at all. Trust how I understand the world better than you do.”
Roque’s words made me feel worse. He didn’t understand anything! The world had changed while he was away. New threats were amassing armies and brandishing unpredictable magic. Roque was a weapon designed for the old world. That was why he couldn’t even see his enemy sitting right next to him.
I would die rather than harm Roque. Yet, if his kind learned about the New Armgard, they would feel compelled to wage war. The Gathering would then insist on the deaths of the Bane Shifters rather than losing their weapons. I might have sentenced my mate to death as soon as we met.
Despite my heavy heart, I was calmed by Roque’s proximity. We didn’t have much time left together. My heart wanted to soak up his intoxicating presence rather than fear what tomorrow would bring.
“Thank you for finding meat,” I blathered as I stared into his eyes.
Roque’s breathing shifted. He seemed overly aware of our proximity. Our gazes remained locked for a little too long.
No doubt attempting to seem casual, Roque took a bite of the stew and offered a smile. “This meal tastes better than the food on the mountain.”
Nodding, I watched him while we ate. Roque’s gaze glowed as he studied me.
Curious about his life, I asked, “What’s it like on your mountain?”
Roque’s gaze warmed even more as he thought of his home.
“When the Murade suggested the territory, our pack leader nearly tore off the negotiator’s head.
We were insulted to be offered a ruined area.
However, the Murade swore many animals had adapted to the area.
Elk were plentiful. The rivers were full of fish.
We would never want for food. Shelters remained from the Jaala Elven Tribe. It’s beautiful, secluded, and quiet.”
Having been taught the history of Mt. Elysium, I knew the many ugly details of the last war before the Bane Shifters were unleashed. The Murade would rather destroy everything than lose to the magic folk.
The Bane Shifters changed how combat worked within the Territories. No more carpet-bombing aggressive factions. The Bane Shifters appeared at dusk, wiped out fighters, and disappeared by dawn. Towns remained intact. Noncombatants were no longer annihilated. The Bane Shifters were viewed as heroes.
Roque’s expression darkened. “It wouldn’t be safe for you on the mountain.”
“It’s been centuries since Mt. Elysium was left toxic from the war. Who knows how non-Bane creatures would fare?”
Roque considered my words while his face revealed a dangerous edge. “Why risk it? The mountain kills its prey in terrible ways. You don’t want to die so gruesomely.”
When I remained tight-lipped, Roque exhaled hard and shrugged. “That’s more proof you’re wrong about us being mates. That bond is created by the Sagesse. Why would they give the Bane Shifters mates who were bound to die if we brought them home?”
I wanted so desperately to confess the truth. Roque and I weren’t so different. When these battles were over, I could return with him to his precious mountain.
At that moment, as his gaze held mine, I was absolutely certain I would walk away from my duty to the Gathering and the New Armgard if I could remain with this handsome creature.
My silence inspired him to keep talking. “Whatever this is between us has to do with the various species working together. Shifters shouldn’t waste time with magic men. That’s abnormal behavior. Obviously, someone has tampered with Lavinia’s natural order.”
“Makes sense,” I mumbled.
“No, you don’t agree.”
“No, I do. Magic is expanding in Lavinia. This is why the Murade are so determined to discover a new world beyond the oceans. They feel their time here is waning.”
“Why would magic expand, though? Who could make such a thing happen?”
Leveling my gaze at him, I stated as a fact, “The ancient ones never died.”
“How can they affect our world when they’re forced to hide underground?”
“I suspect they’re evolving.”
“Evolving how?”
“They’ve learned to brandish their power from the darkness.
Pandorium Forest keeps spreading and twisting whatever lives within its borders.
The ancient one called Pan-Dissurath is hidden beneath the forest. She’s long claimed those who traveled within Pandorium as her sacrifices.
The beast under the forest chooses to twist the humans into more pleasing forms.”
“You think too much.”
“You’ve been hidden away for too long on the mountain,” I replied, irritated by his dismissive tone. “What’s happening here can happen on Mt. Elysium. You must know the tales of the great beast hiding inside your mountain.”
Roque’s blue eyes flashed with recognition. He had no doubt felt the ancient one stirring underground. After all, I sensed the creature whenever I reached out to Roque in my dreams.
“According to my studies, the one living in your mountain is called Tyathossau. It has no gender and took the form of serpents.”
Roque offered me a sly grin. “I feel it when I travel through the cave systems.”
“What does Tyathossau feel like?”
“Like a hungry beast wishing to swallow me whole.”
Smirking, I replied, “What a great honor for Tyathossau to turn a great warrior into its snack.”
Roque startled me by throwing back his head and roaring with laughter. His amusement acted like a wave of magic, wrapping around me until I could barely breathe.
His laughter died down, leaving him watching me with a tender gaze.
Roque finished his stew and wiped his mouth in a careful way he plainly wasn’t accustomed to back on the mountain.
He was putting on a show for me. If he weren’t so stubborn and I didn’t need to lie, we could admit what was happening here.
“The Ghouls are growing restless,” Roque said and glanced at the door. “When they attack, you will remain hidden upstairs.”
“I am a warrior.”
“You’re a youngling,” he grumbled dismissively. “You couldn’t even frighten away those tiny creatures in the forest.”
“I don’t need to frighten them when I can kill them. Dead is often better.”
“You will hide,” Roque demanded and slammed his fist against the table.
The plates quaked, and the pot nearly toppled over the edge. I leveled my gaze on Roque, preparing to lecture him on manners and my duty. I was not a youngling or in need of his protection.
Before I could speak, I considered my fears for his safety. Roque was one of the most fearsome creatures ever to roam the Territories. Von Ehlinger had been forced to tamper with ancient magic to create a new species simply to stand a chance against the Murade’s army of Bane Shifters.
Roque did not need my help, yet, I still feared for him because he was my mate.
So, of course, Roque could never view me as a real warrior, even if I had properly revealed my talents over the last few days. Despite his stubborn denials about our mate bond, he couldn’t reject his desire to protect me.
“I will go upstairs while you fight the enemy,” I murmured, soothing his anger. “You are a Bane Shifter. Those Varema Ghouls don’t stand a chance.”
Roque snarled at me, feeling as if I were tricking him. When I only offered a little smile, his expression softened, and he mimicked my gesture.
“I don’t believe we’re mates,” Roque said as he stood and sighed deeply. “But I can’t have you die on my watch. Knowing you’re securely tucked away upstairs will help me concentrate.”
“I understand. I will watch from the window and admire your skills.”
“Be warned. I won’t be wearing this blanket during battle. I know how distracted you become at the sight of my body.”
Rolling my eyes, I carried the bowls and pot to the kitchen. “I’ll avert my gaze to protect my sanity.”
Roque chuckled as he strutted toward the front door. “After I kill the Ghouls and their allies, we’ll start a fire. You can regale me with more tales of ancient beasts and your Elven training.”
I smiled at Roque as he opened the door. My heart wanted to follow him into battle. He was a superior warrior to his opponents, yet our mate bond left him vulnerable. Fighting with him made sense.
Instead, I did as he requested and went upstairs to oversee what should be a quick battle.