Page 12 of Mistake of Magic
“This is off to a grand start,” Klarissa says, though it’s a miracle anyone can hear the female’s words over my howl.
A snarl echoes through the domed chamber, the smell of fur filling my lungs right before powerful arms pull me against a familiar, taut body. “I have you,” Shade says, his voice tight. “I have you.” The male’s cool palm rests between my shoulder blades, a thin thread of magic rippling through me, coaxing my lungs to fill with air.
I try to smile at the image, but it comes as a wince.
Shade tips my head slightly, his touch featherlight along the still-throbbing marks. “A knot woven of four cords. Interesting. The first time around, we had a jackrabbit.”
“Initiates of the Citadel”—Beynoir’s voice is a bare rumble over Shade’s scent—“welcome to the start of your training. I will assign a senior quint to assist you in getting settled and learning—or ignoring—the rules. I would ask for questions at this point, but I imagine that at least three of you are familiar enough with the Citadel and its rules to be able to lead the lecture yourself.”
“Three?” The word is out of my mouth before I can catch it.
“There is some debate as to whether Tye is incapable of understanding rules or simply cannot fathom a reason to follow them,” Beynoir says dryly. “But do not worry, young Leralynn. What that male lacks in comprehension of rules, he makes up for in comprehension of penalties. In short, it is fortunate that one of your quint mates has a healing gift.” The elder raises his face to survey our group. “Now, if there are no additional matters to address—”
River takes a step forward and bows. “There is one matter, sir. If the council will indulge me.”
The sphere in Beynoir’s hand lowers back without making a sound, and the elder sighs. “Yes?”
“My quint requests to face its first trial immediately.”
8
Lera
Immediately turns out to be tomorrow morning, with Klarissa, of all beings, insisting that the five of us at least get a full night’s sleep before stepping into the arena.
Putting on a brave front, I follow River and the others out the door to the never-ending spiral staircase, making it all of three steps before a pair of strong arms lifts me into the air. Shade’s earthy scent fills my nose as he cradles me against his hard chest, his cheek resting on the crown of my head.
I wriggle. “I can walk.”
“I can’t,” Shade says, pulling me closer to his chest, which feels like steel wrapped in velvet under my cheek. His heart is beating hard enough that I feel its vibrations. Shade takes a deep whiff of my scent. “I need you here just now, cub. Please.”
My protests die away, my fingers tracing the three runes on his neck, the marks that have just burned our commitment into the fabric of the world. The bard’s tale made real. Around us, Tye, Coal, and River keep a tighter pattern than usual. The latter doing such a good job not looking at me that he might as well be staring.
Reaching the bottom landing, River opens the door, propelling the five of us into the bright sun. My head spins as Shade reluctantly sets me on my feet, the enormity of the past quarter hour hitting me as brightly as the light. What in the bloody stars have I done, swearing to be a warrior that I can never become? A shiver runs down my spine. What if we never leave the Citadel, the males trapped here like caged animals because of me?
“I can live with a few weeks here,” Tye says, sticking his hands in his pockets. Shaking his red hair to try—and fail—to clear it from his eyes, he gives me an encouraging grin, his voice forcibly light. “Citadel grapes make some of the best wine in Lunos. A few words in the right—”
“Stop talking.” Coal glowers at Tye before twisting to face me, his clear blue eyes seeming to penetrate my thoughts. “We will train, mortal. And wewillwalk out of here. All of us.”
“We’ll train between now and tomorrow morning?” My voice rises in spite of itself and I must stop to force air into my lungs. I wrap my arms tightly around myself.
River turns, his voice too damn matter-of-fact. “The first trial is a quint-versus-quint challenge that tests a new group’s ability to work together. With three centuries of experience, I don’t imagine a few more weeks would make a notable difference.”
“Youhave three centuries of experience,” I say. “I have two weeks. Flattered as I am that you imagine I can battle five immortals, I’m not sure Coal would agree.”
“I don’t,” Coal confirms. “Which is why you won’t be doing any of the fighting.”
“Coal is right, cub,” Shade says, rubbing his warm hands down my bare shoulders. “You’ve been brave enough. Let us take care of tomorrow.”
“Is there someone else coming out that door after you?” The familiar female voice makes me jump as Kora steps up to the group. Her short dark-brown hair is tucked behind one pointed ear, which, I notice for the first time, bears a tiny emerald stud. “Or am I finding myself at the ass end of a second jest today?”
“I see Klarissa is as efficient as ever,” River murmurs, tilting his head to show Kora the runes. “If you are looking for the first trials you’ve been assigned to herd, then you’ve found them.”
Kora stares at River’s neck, then his face. “That is asinine, sir,” she says finally. “If you’ll forgive my language.”
“I’ve heard worse,” River says. “You should also get out of the habit of using that title, Kora, given that you are our superior now—we all have enough of a mess on our hands without violating the Citadel’s proprieties.”
Kora sighs, shaking her head. “Well, let’s take you on the introductory tour.”
