Page 89 of Bosse
“Will he bring the whole pack?” Alifair could see possibilities in getting Rez out if a large pack attacked the castle.
“We’re a clan, not a pack like wolves.” Magdelina smiled as she explained. “He would bring an army of shifters if he could follow my scent. Unfortunately, that bird creature destroyed any hope of my clan tracking me by taking me off the ground.”
No help there. Alifair still had the same problems she’d had an hour ago.
She walked over to grab one of two chairs placed around a small table in the corner—a lovely antique set of some sort that belonged in a museum. Alifair had never been good at antique styles or the different eras of furniture, but this appeared authentic.
She pulled the chair around to sit facing Magdelina. “That flying beast is called a Lammogo.”
Magdelina paused in rubbing her back. “You know what it is?”
“Only what Krol said when he brought it here a few days ago.” Alifair couldn’t see that woman trying to take any wild action in her condition but still had to ask, “Do you intend to escape?”
“Not yet.” She smiled and winked. “I won’t get you killed.”
“Thank you. I would be happy for you to escape this place, but I must live at least one more day.”
At that, the woman tilted her head as if trying to discern if Alifair was joking. “You don’t want to live any longer? What are you doing here?”
Heaving a deep breath, Alifair let it out slowly while deciding what to share. She was so tired of hunting Rez on her own and facing the end of her life. She wouldn’t have Bosse again but wanted a friend, even one who would not stay long.
This woman had been taken against her will. What harm could come from talking with her? How could Alifair expect Magdelina to share any information if she didn’t qualify why she needed it?
“I’d like to live to old age, but I won’t,” Alifair started. “Krol captured the leader of our small community, a gifted female I fear he intends to use for some awful reason. I came to this area hunting her and allowed myself to be captured almost a month ago for the sole purpose of getting her out of here.”
“Where is she?”
“I had no idea until today when I spotted her at a window while I was outside. She’s in the rounded corner part of this castle.”
Magdelina took this in, quietly thinking for a moment. “What do you think he will do with her if you don’t free her?”
“I don’t know. The other captives are servants or shifters.”
“Shifters?” Magdelina’s voice lost civility. Her eyes fired up with a quick flash of fury. “What does he do with those?”
Alifair explained about the arena and the mix of shifters Krol pitted against each other.
The power surrounding Magdelina swirled between her and Alifair, feeling like a hammer ready to strike even while held firmly under control. She fisted one hand, and her facial muscles struggled to appear calm.
How dangerous was this woman? Alifair asked, “I feel your energy. Can you use it to disarm Krol?”
Relaxing her fist, Magdelina answered in a bitter tone. “No. I must be careful, or I’ll harm my baby.” Then, wiped out from all she’d been through, she held her back and said, “I’m sorry about your friend. I’m going to lie down for a bit. I have no idea where I’ll be taken next and need my strength.”
“Sure.”
Alifair dug around in the room while Magdelina slept but found no paper or anything to use for drawing her layout.
An hour had passed when a knock on the door made Alifair jump, and Magdelina sat up with her white hair needing a brush.
Since she’d been locked inside this room, Alifair waited as the door opened. Linota brought food on a tray with a smaller water pitcher and cup. A guard stood with a rifle in position to shoot if needed.
“This is for Krol’s guest,” Linota announced, eyes wide and voice shaking.
Alifair took the tray and waited until the servant had left and the door was locked again. She sat it on the small table near the only window. Unlike Rez’s open window, this one had a lead and glass insert set permanently in place. Alifair couldn’t even shout for help if she had anyone who would listen.
But this room was not in the right place or in a round shape. Maybe by taking care of this woman, Alifair could stay here to clean up the room after Magdelina left with Krol.
Her heart hurt at the thought of what Krol might have planned for Magdelina. “Do you want to eat?”
