Page 35 of Magic & Secrets (Twisted Magic #1)

I opened my mouth without knowing what words would leave my lips. Before I could speak, Roque howled with enough force to shake two paintings off the wall. I couldn’t imagine what the other Elves thought was happening with the Bane Shifter.

“Has a century on the mountain driven him mad?” Mali asked.

“No.”

“Then, why is he behaving this way?”

“You wouldn’t believe me if I told you.”

“Speak,” Mali muttered, unaccustomed to stubbornness from a member of the New Armgard.

As soon as the Elves mentioned Mali was in Elatalora, I knew this moment might come. The truth seemed dangerous on its surface. However, the mating of two powerful creatures might inspire Mali to back off rather than attempt to send me to the Citadel.

With Roque’s howling growing more frenzied, I figured the truth was bound to come out anyway. “Roque is my mate.”

Mali’s laughter startled me. Elves weren’t known for their jovial nature.

“Poor sweet moron. Bane Shifters can’t have mates. The Murade knew the dangers of allowing such a powerful species to breed. And obviously, your kind were created without any desire to mate or breed. What kind of warrior would you be if you worried about such things?”

“Explain that?” I grumbled as Roque’s howls left me aching to soothe him.

Mali’s expression lost its humor. He looked around at the shaking walls and narrowed his gaze.

“Have you mated yet?”

“No,” I lied immediately. “I wouldn’t even know how.”

“You would be best to consider your safety right now, Calla. Bane Shifters aren’t natural to this world. No one can be sure what would happen if they attempted to breed,” he said and then added harshly, “Let alone with an Armgard.”

With Roque sounding miserable nearby, I lost my ability to hold my tongue with my elder.

“The power of the ancient ones will dictate what happens with Roque and me. However, I am more concerned about the Cult of Ivitithi. The ones we killed were traveling with the hearts of the Bane Shifters they killed. We destroyed their sacrifices, and they seem keen on gaining more.”

“The Bane Shifters can protect themselves.”

“They don’t recognize the threat coming for them.”

“Mt. Elysium is toxic to most creatures,” Mali said and then blinked rapidly as if realizing I would be capable of living upon the polluted land. “I want you to return to the Citadel. You will warn the Gathering and wait for your bevy.”

When I only eyed him defiantly, he pointed his clawed finger in my face and sneered, “You belong to the Gathering, not this Shifter. You will sacrifice your needs for the greater good, just as you were trained. Do you understand?”

Fighting the urge to slap away his hand, I replied, “No.”

“You’ve gone mad.”

As Mali spoke, Roque slammed against the heavy stone doors keeping us apart. The impact tore one from its hinges. The handle flew across the room, directly at Mali’s head. I casually caught it while frowning at the Elf.

Mali ignored my protective maneuver and kept his gaze on Roque panting at the door. My mate’s growl quieted at the sight of me.

“He’s in heat,” Mali said, staggering back when Roque stormed inside the room.

Roque’s gaze flashed left and right, searching for threats. He stopped in front of me and exhaled roughly.

“You’ve spoken alone for long enough.”

“You broke the door,” I said while patting his chest. “That seemed unnecessary.”

“Bane Shifters don’t knock.”

I smiled at his crazed reaction to my short absence. His scent quickly intoxicated me. I lost sight of Mali’s presence. My fingers lingered against Roque’s muscled chest. With my head swimming with desire, I ached to be alone with my mate.

Roque soaked in the heat between us before turning his gaze to Mali. “Go away.”

“Your behavior puts her in danger,” Mali insisted. “She should return home until this matter is dealt with.”

Roque shrugged his wide shoulders. “I will escort her there.”

“No.”

Roque took a step toward Mali, towering over the Elf. “You should watch your tone with me.”

Mali was rightfully afraid. Normally, Bane Shifters knew how to behave with authority figures. However, a Shifter in heat couldn’t think straight, and Roque only required a single second of uncontrolled fury to end the Elf’s life.

“If we could speak privately,” Mali said, regaining his composure in the face of a Bane Shifter in heat, “this matter would be easier to decipher. Unfortunately, you broke the door.”

I smiled at Roque. “Next time, you should knock. If I needed your help, you’d feel it.”

“I felt your fear,” Roque insisted and stepped closer until he was nearly on top of me. “This Elf is your enemy.”

“No.”

“He’s a threat to you. I should rip off his head.”

I was startled by my laughter. Pressing my hands against his chest, I waited until his gaze met mine.

“Don’t harm Mali. It is in his best interest to keep our secrets and help us.”

Roque’s expression turned dark. “He is the one who made you.”

Mali’s face went from passive to angry. Unleashing his disapproving scowl, the Elf sneered at me, “He knows what you are.”

Glancing at the broken door and the angry Elf, I told Roque, “You’re going to get me killed. Hush.”

“No one will harm you,” Roque said, seeming ready to lash out at Mali.

Mali ignored Roque’s hostility and demanded of me, “Explain yourself.”

“We’re not safe to speak.”

Mali spun around and moved toward a wall with a hidden entrance. Soon, we were shoved into a tiny room. Roque growled instantly at the small space.

Wrapping my arms around his waist, I quickly distracted the overwhelmed Shifter. He smiled and stroked my hair.

Mali cleared his throat when we seemed to forget he was in the room.

“Why did you say he didn’t know what you were?”

“Lying seemed like the safest choice.”

“How did he find out?”

“I had to use my magic to save him.”

“Imbecile.”

Roque’s growl filled the room, making the walls shake. Though I patted his chest, he refused to see past the Elf.

“He is a Bane Shifter,” Mali sneered, ignoring Roque’s rage. “You didn’t need to save him.”

Roque grunted. “That’s what I told her.”

“They aren’t indestructible. A few Bane Shifters have died in battle. The Gathering taught me that.”

“What creatures did you face?”

“Serpent Shifters and Warlocks. They were hurting him.”

Roque looked at Mali and shrugged. “I had a plan. It was fine.”

“You were in pain,” I insisted.

Mali rolled his eyes. “Mates are obnoxious,” he insisted and waved off Roque’s resulting growl. “You can stay here tonight, but no longer. Everyone is on edge, thanks to the Cult of Ivitithi.”

“What do you know?”

Though Mali plainly didn’t approve of my tone, he seemed to realize he wasn’t in the position to wield his authority over me.

“Several Elves went rogue and killed an Elder. They took his heart and fled into Pandorium Forest. We apprehended one who claimed he was part of a group that worshipped Ivitithi. They intend to use the ancient one’s power to defeat the Murade.”

“Why kill the defective Shifters in Haven Junction?” Roque asked. “Why would this ancient one care?”

“Sacrifices of Lavinia’s most powerful creatures would appease Ivitithi.”

“What does the Gathering plan to do about this cult?” I asked as Roque stroked my back in a distracting way.

“That’s none of your concern.”

“Of course it is. Ivitithi’s magic is why I was separated from my sisters. This cult possesses weapons capable of harming the Bane Shifters and New Armgard.”

“You will return to the Citadel.”

Roque growled, “No.”

“She can’t survive on your mountain.”

Roque stubbornly snarled, “No.”

“Saying no doesn’t change the reality of your situation.”

“The Bane Shifters are in danger,” I told Mali when Roque only growled. “The cult needs to replace their offerings.”

“They have spells from Ivitithi. Nothing more. If they attempt to hunt the Bane Shifters on Mt. Elysium, these creatures will succumb to the toxic land. If Roque’s pack wants to remain safe, all they must do is hide on their mountain.”

“We will not hide,” Roque said, despite his plan to bring me to the mountain to hide.

Mali ignored Roque and looked into my eyes. “You must go to the Citadel and inform the Gathering of this new issue.”

“I can’t leave Roque.”

“You shouldn’t be mating. There’s no telling what your offspring might be.”

“No,” Roque said, growing frustrated. “I don’t care about the Gathering or this cult or you. I also don’t care about rules or mutant offspring.”

“Mutant?” I asked.

He smiled and stroked my head. “I’m glad you don’t have horns like the other Armgard.”

Mali rolled his eyes. “Knock it off.”

Roque snarled down at the Elf. “Watch your tongue or I will remove it from your mouth.”

I stood between them and lied, “I should travel to the Citadel to speak to the Gathering and learn if my sisters have returned home. Roque needs to warn Tempe of the threat. Afterward, I will travel to Mt. Elysium.”

“You are a member of the New Armgard. You can’t simply retire and play house.”

“There are many Armgard warriors with no mates. They can battle while I play house. After all, mates are chosen by the Sagesse. How can I deny the magic of those beyond the veil?” I said and then lied again, “But for now, Roque and I will put the common good above our own needs.”

“No,” Roque grumbled. “Don’t listen to him. He’s devious. All Elves are.”

“He is a member of the Gathering,” I told Roque, though my words were meant for Mali. “Their one goal is to bring peace to the Territories. If we can help them achieve that objective, shouldn’t we at least try?”

Roque stared into my eyes and recognized my lies. I had no intention of returning to the Citadel. The Gathering would rather execute me than worry about my mate bond.

Roque didn’t want to bow to Mali or anyone else, yet he saw the logic behind my deceits. We simply needed the Elves to allow us to leave. Afterward, we were free to travel to Mt. Elysium.

“I will allow this,” Roque said and exhaled roughly. “Where would this cult take their offerings? I know nothing of the ancient ones.”

“Ivitithi is said to slumber under the Isle of Midsomer.”

“What do the Elves intend to do about this issue?” Roque asked. “You don’t actually think the cult will stop with the Murade, do you? If they want to rule the Territories, they will come for the Elven Empire next.”

“We don’t believe this cult can wield the power they hope to unleash. According to the ancient records, Ivitithi was a cruel, greedy monster. There’s no reason to believe it would do much more than enslave the cult.”

“Enslaving them to do what?”

“Bring blood offerings. What use does Ivitithi have in controlling the Territories? Like all the ancient ones, it can no longer live on the surface of this world.”

“It would seem like the easiest solution to this problem would be to inform the Murade of the cult,” I suggested.

“Allow them to unleash their wrath on the cult. The Elven Empire would appear helpful by alerting them. The Bane Shifters could return to their mountain. If the Murade is focused on the cult, they’ll be less likely to notice the Gathering. ”

Mali studied me warily. “Were you always this cunning?”

“Yes, but there was no benefit in revealing my ideas at the Citadel.”

“Go there and tell Gregory of your plan. If he agrees, the Elven Empire will send a delegation to Shining Jewel to meet with the Murade.”

Despite Mali’s praise, I knew the Gathering wasn’t interested in cultivating the cunning within the New Armgard. We were weapons, meant to act as the Bane Shifters did for the Murade. The craftier we became, the less we would need our overseers.

Nonetheless, with Mali agreeing to our proposal, Roque and I left the room to find Elves in the hallway. They were prepared for battle with their swords at the ready.

“The Bane Shifter awaits his feast,” Mali explained.

The Elven guards remained wary. I looked at Roque and smiled at how he scared these battle-tested warriors. His gaze held mine, searching for the truth. I took his large hand in mine. Breathing easier, Roque offered me a smile.

As much as I relished the passion between us, I felt danger crowding us from all sides. Revealing our mate bond left Roque’s heart exposed when our enemies were already sharpening their weapons and plotting in secret.