Page 41 of The Study of Magic
“Yes. Twitchy feels like there are invisible bugs crawling over my skin. Itchy is when there are real bugs on me.” He flicked a black speck off his arm. “I really miss the colder weather.”
“Says the man who whined that his frozen toes were going to fall off.”
In other words, it was just a feeling. Valek didn’t think the men were prone to an overactive imagination. Well…not Ari. And the big man was taking Janco’s claims seriously. So, either the shadow’s skills exceeded Ari and Janco’s or… One or more of the seven magicians lurked nearby.
Images of magicians attacking the camp flashed in his head. Now who had the overactive imagination? Valek suppressed the desire to race back to protect the Commander. Instead, he walked in a slow circle around Ari and Janco, focusing on the weight of the air around him. When magic was directed at him, it pressed against his skin. If the shadow used magic to hide, Valek would sense it, but it wouldn’t work on him. The benefit of being immune.
About three quarters of the way around, the air thickened and clung. Valek stopped. A silhouette stood a dozen yards away.
Behind him, Ari cursed. “They’re standing right there.”
“Where? I don’t see them.” Janco said, despite the fact the person was in his direct line of sight.
Valek, however stood between Ari and the silhouette. His immunity must be blocking the magic from affecting Ari. The magician had been using power to influence Ari’s and Janco’s perceptions. And if they could do that, they could read their minds as well. Valek muttered his own curse. The gig was definitely up.
“Bees!” Janco yelled.
Valek glanced at him.
He waved his arms wildly. “A swarm! Run!” Janco raced off.
By the time Valek returned his attention to the silhouette, it was gone. Valek took off, hoping to catch up. The magician tried to hide using magic, but that only gave Valek a direction of where they had gone to ground. Eventually, they stopped hiding. Instead, they wove through the dark forest at such a quick clip that Valek wondered if it was possible to have magical night vision.
The chase lengthened, heading south. Valek worried he was being led away from the camp on purpose. Were the other magicians attacking right now?
When the silhouette halted and turned to face him, Valek pulled his dagger and slowed down, approaching with care as he sought others who might be hiding nearby.
“Persistent, aren’t you,” said a female voice. She wore a one-piece black suit, similar to Valek’s. Except for slits for her eyes, the hood covered her entire face. “You know it’s not illegal to be in the forest.”
“But it is illegal for a magician to be in Ixia. What are you doing here?” he asked.
“Gathering information. Your friends were very helpful. I know you’re the big bad assassin and all, but do you really think you can counter eight magicians if we decide to attack you at one time?”
Ah. Alea had powers. Was this her? “Seven,” Valek corrected. “You let me get too close, Alea.”
She flinched. Gotcha.
“I know who you are,” he continued, trying to throw her off balance. “I know all about you.”
Alea laughed. “Cocky to the last. Did you ever consider that I might have wanted you to get close? That I might have the upper hand? No, of course not.” She raised her hand. With her fingers spread wide and her palm facing him, she thrust it forward. “Break!”
Valek braced for the rush of power. The magical command wouldn’t work on him, but it might knock him off his feet. Instead, a loud crack sounded above him. A tree branch fell right on top of him. The impact smashed him into oblivion.
* * *
Spikes of pain stabbed deep into his head, waking Valek. Garbled voices sounded nearby. A heavy weight pressed on his shoulders and back, pinning him to the ground. He hoped that was the reason he couldn’t move. Breathing required much more effort than normal. At least, he was still breathing. Bright side.
He opened his eyes. The sun had risen and Janco was squatting in front of him.
Janco jumped to his feet. “Hey! He’s awake!”
Shouts exploded in Valek’s ear, sending waves of agony through his skull. Valek groaned.
“Better hurry,” Janco called. “He doesn’t look good.”
“Everyone, grab an end,” Ari instructed from…somewhere. “Lift up on the count of three. One. Two.”
Janco crouched down. “Sorry, boss. This is gonna hurt.” He grabbed Valek under the arms.
