Page 101 of Forsaken Secrets

39

Kaiya

"So, what are we going to do about those relics?" I asked, staring between the men.

We'd been sitting there for long enough that the food was all gone, and my rear was cold and numb. But I didn't want to get up. I didn't want to go back to my normal lonely life, fixing up the house and cleaning.

Lynk grimaced. "I snuck back down today and still can't figure out a way to remove them without getting twisted. At least that cave-in blocks the mages from getting over there, though. We may need to reach out to your team, Eli."

Eli nodded and took a sip from his whiskey. "I can ask."

Body warm, I turned to him. "What's it like working for the Reapers? How did you get in without training?"

He grimaced. "It's not all that interesting. Lynk, though … his story of joining the monster hunters has to be enthralling. How'd you do it, old man?"

I narrowed my eyes at Eli. "Fine. You don't have to talk about it if you don't want, but can you at least tell me how you handled your magic?"

"He shields — poorly," interjected Lynk as he poured us all the last cups of whiskey in the flask. “It’s harder for strong bond mages like you, but you could do it, too.”

Was that a compliment? No. Lynk didn’t do compliments. “Why is it harder?”

“A strong bond mage can reach out to people and draw them in. It's powerful and dangerous in the wrong hands … but if the bond is strong enough, they’ll get full access to you. That’s where your magic's issues are actually helping you right now. Someday, when you form deeper attachments, it'll be hard to keep yourself from them."

Well, that sounded terrible. I already struggled letting people close and they’d get full access to me? I sighed and leaned back, staring up at the cloudy sky. "Of course. It couldn't be simple, could it?"

He chuckled. "Just don't fall in love, little thief, and you'll be fine."

The picnic blanket suddenly felt very small …

Cheeks hot, I stood to my feet and shook out my skirts. "I — uh — really need to be getting back. I promised Sylvie that I'd help with some house chores. Knowing her, she'll be doing it without me already."

Lynk's brow lifted knowingly, but he just stretched and stood up, gathering the now-empty flask. "Me, as well. I've ignored my duties for too long, I fear. This was … pleasant, though."

He turned to look at me. Those silver eyes made me squirm. "I actually have a small favor that I might need help with, Kaiya. Perhaps I could help you with your powers, and then in a few months you could help me? It's something … personal."

Had he actually used my name? It sounded so different coming from him … And he was asking for my help? My heart did a strange little thump, but I swallowed hard and nodded. "Of course."

He dipped his head, then turned to Eli. "I'll admit that I'm a bit disappointed. Neither of you have asked about the library. And here I thought you were worried about the Ellingsworths and those vrytra," Lynk said, voice teasing.

I grimaced and met Eli's eyes. This was exactly what we'd been avoiding.

"Well," Lynk continued, "you'll be happy to know that I got everything cleared up with Ellingsworth. Solyn will be safe and the experimentation will stop."

Shock twisted in my gut. "How — how did you do that?"

"You'd be surprised what can be accomplished when you exert the right pressure," he said, slipping the canteen into his pocket.

His words sent an icy shiver through me and I looked to Eli, then back at Lynk. "Well then — " I grimaced. "You probably don't want to know that we didn't listen when you said to wait for you."

The slight smile that had been dancing in his eyes all morning went out, and his jaw pulsed. "What did you do? I told you I would handle it …"

I grimaced. "Well, it started out as just finding answers about the pearls."

He growled and motioned for me to continue.

"We made a deal with the Overseeker."

Lynk paced away as I continued to speak, shoulders tensing with every word.

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