Page 108 of The Study of Magic
She stopped. “What do you want?”
“To come along.”
“Why?”
“You’ll need me,” the man said.
“Considering how helpful you were in the jungle fourteen years ago, I think I’m better off on my own.” She spat the words at him, surprising Valek with her vehemence.
But the man only cringed. And by the stubborn set of his shoulders, Valek knew Yelena’s anger was not going to deter him.
“Either include me in your plans, or I’ll follow you and ruin them.”
“Fine. But let me warn you that you’re going to have to let me inside your mind in order for you to get through Ferde’s shield.”
The man paled but nodded. They headed west.
As Valek suspected, Yelena planned to go after Ferde. But at least she wasn’t on her own. She might hate the man with her, but she had accepted his help.
Valek followed them to the market. Yelena greeted a tall, lean man and left the stocky guy with him while she searched for someone. Valek found a spot to watch. Yelena approached a stand selling fabric. Her young friend…Fisk? Was helping a customer, but he finished quickly when he spotted Yelena. She talked to him and he flashed her a brilliant smile before racing off.
She returned to the two men and they waited together. Soon, a bunch of street rats gathered around them. Fisk’s friends? Yelena appeared to be giving them instructions. The children nodded and scattered, disappearing down alleys. Fisk led Yelena and the stocky guy to another alley while the thin guy headed in a different direction.
Valek wished he could join them, but it was too risky. Instead, he kept close just in case she needed him. Although, he doubted she would. He marveled at her confident stride. It appeared she had a plan and she had made friends. Determined, intelligent, a truly remarkable person he was honored to know. Her time in Sitia had changed her for the better. Irys had been right to ask him to stay away for a year. Yelena had discovered her wings.
Her group stopped about half a block from a large courtyard. A magnificent white statue of fifteen horses running in a circle occupied the center. Words were exchanged and Yelena drew in a breath. Then she signaled Fisk. He barked like a dog.
Soon after, other barks echoed. And then Fisk’s friends ran into and out of the courtyard, playing tag with loud joyful shouts and taunts. Yelena held Stocky’s and Fisk’s hands. The trio walked into the courtyard. Ah there must be a magical barrier around the courtyard and the kids were the distraction. Smart.
They paused next to the fountain. She released Fisk and he ran to join his friends. Then Stocky and Yelena headed to a house on the other side of the street, going around to the side. Valek assumed Ferde was inside that building. Once she picked the lock and they disappeared, he entered the courtyard. The magic slid around him as if he’d walked through a wall of water.
Valek searched for a hidden location nearby. He found an alcove that would work. Waiting was always the most difficult part of his job, and this time was no exception. He wondered how long he should wait. Yelena had proved to be quite capable of protecting herself, but Ferde had master level powers.
Trust me.Her words from four days ago echoed in his mind. She’d asked for his trust in handling the exchange for Opal, and she’d survived. He could wait a bit longer and not rush in there like some knight in shining armor.
Time stretched toward infinity.Trust me, trust me, trust me, he chanted under his breath.
Pain suddenly pierced his heart. He grabbed his chest and sank to the ground as fire burned inside him.
He concentrated, focusing on Yelena.Trouble, love?
I need your immunity to magic.
Yours.When she had asked for his strength, he’d pushed his energy directly toward her. This time, he imagined his immunity as a cloak. He lifted it from his shoulders and wrapped it around hers.
The effort cost him. He slumped but not in exhaustion. A strange sensation vibrated through his muscles. It was like a heavy blanket had been removed and now he could fly. He was untethered. Free.
His senses sharpened and he choked on the fetid stench of manure emanating from his clothes. Valek clambered to his feet, moving carefully so he didn’t launch his body into the air. Then his immunity slammed back into him, knocking him to the ground.
Lying on the hard surface, he panted with the effort to breath under the pressure. Moving seemed impossible. He remained there as his strength slowly returned. When he’d recovered, he sat up.
From his position, he spotted the tall, thin man trotting across the courtyard with a wide grin on his face. He entered the building. A clear sign Yelena had stopped Ferde.
Way to go, love.But he couldn’t celebrate for too long. Valek needed to move before the master magicians arrived with their soldiers.
He hurried back to the Council Hall and joined his new friends.
Minel sidled up to him. “Where’ve you been?” He sniffed. “Not bathing, unfortunately.”
