Page 75 of The Dark Mage

Fael, meanwhile, continued to work with the camp’s fighters—everyone except the silent Avonlee.He was especially pleased with Sorya and Relya’s progress, and Relya managed to refrain from punching him in the face again.The rest of the group was at various stages of training, and Fael and Leta had started identifying each member’s strengths and weaknesses.

Ren’wyn couldn’t help but admire Fael as he worked, his hair curling in the breeze as he assessed his companions with calm precision.Like during the Passage, he could hold his focus indefinitely, absorbing details even Leta missed.

“Too much weight on your front foot,” Fael called to Alen, who was swinging at Miguel with all his strength.

Miguel dodged easily and didn’t counter, instead bringing his arm down on Alen’s back and sending him sprawling.He immediately reached down, clapping Alen on the back as he helped him up.Fael stepped forward, launching into an explanation of balance and demonstrating alongsideLeta.

They moved in slow motion, showing how to exploit a poorly placed stance.Ren’wyn’s hands stilled as she watched them.Leta was impressive, precise, and efficient—but Fael?Fael was grace and murder woven into humanform.

She admired him as he shifted into a difficult defensive stance, his breeches taut over powerful legs, his shirt open enough to reveal the corded muscles of his torso.

Am I even breathing?

Fael leaned into a position that would have had her arms pinwheeling.Leta extended her foot, sweeping his legs out from underhim.

Ren’wyn gasped, her lungs finally remembering how to work.She turned back to the small bottles of lavender, chamomile, and tansy, inhaling their soothing scent to clear her dizzy thoughts.

When she glanced up again, the fighters were scattering to their assigned duties.

Fael hadn’t moved.

He was watchingher.

Power rolled off him in waves, rich and heady.Ren’wyn shivered, unable to look away.A cold, dark wind rose in answer, wrapping itself around Fael.His jaw flexed, his fists clenched—and his sharp, unsteady breath told her everything.

The next wave of power from Fael hit like desert wind against herskin.

Ren’wyn’s heart pounded in time with it—until she realized they had an audience.

Sorya and Relya stood nearby, giggling behind their hands until they noticed Esrin.The moment they saw his expression, they bolted.

Esrin’s eyes burned with anger, his power wrapping her like the scent of rain-soaked earth.

“What the hell are you two doing?”he snarled, hands on his hips, every inch the outraged noble.“Stop displaying your power so freely—or do you want someone to find us?”

“Isn’t that what we’re trying to do, Esrin?”Ren’wyn snapped, surprising even herself with her sharp tone.“Find more people with power?Helpthem?”

Esrin’s hands curled into fists, and she braced for his anger—until Fael’s voice cut in.

“He’s right, Ren’wyn.”

She stared at Fael, stunned.

“Not everyone with magic is good,” Fael continued quietly.“Some people seek us out only to turn us over to the empire—to keep themselves alive.”

Ren’wyn took a slow breath, pressing down her anger, forcing the Void to settle where it simmered in her blood.She exhaled through her teeth.“Fine.”She turned her back on both of them, setting her shoulders straight as she faced the vials of herbs—a dignified lady to thelast.

Esrin’s gaze shifted toFael.

“You were assigned to weaponry,” he barked.“Get towork.”

Ren’wyn saw Fael’s shadow pause before moving toward the weapons storage.She hated the way Esrin spoke to Fael—he never used that tone with anyoneelse.

Esrin stayed behind, watching her for what felt like an eternity.Slowly, his aura softened, anger giving way to something calmer.A soft breeze stirred, brushing the hair off herneck.

“Don’t you have somewhere else to be?”she asked harshly as he took a tentative step towardher.

Esrin stiffened, his expression hardening again.Without another word, he turned and stalked back to histent.