Page 94 of The Study of Magic
Janco stared at her in astonished silence.
Ari took her at her word. “Come on, she doesn’t need our help.” He sheathed his sword.
Janco recovered. He flashed a mischievous grin. “I’ll bet you a copper that she’ll be free in five minutes,” he said to Ari.
Ari grunted in amusement. “A silver on ten minutes,” he countered.
“I’ll bet you both a gold coin that she kills him,” Valek said from behind them. Surprised, they moved aside to let him enter. “The only way to take care of your problem. Right, love?”
“No killing,” she said and gave him a pointed look. “I’ll manage.”
“He’s my man. I’ll handle this,” a man said from behind Valek.
Valek cursed and spun. He’d been so distracted about Yelena that he’d never heard the blond arrive. Cahil just stared at him for a moment. Ah yes, Valek had also forgotten he still wore his Ilom disguise.
Cahil entered the shed, which was way too small for six people. “Goel, stand down,” he ordered.
Goel? Was that Ferde’s real name? No. The man didn’t have the red tattoos Yelena had told him about. Since it wasn’t the rogue magician, Valek knew Ari and Janco could help Yelena if needed. Leaving the crowded shed, Valek circled around and hid behind it to listen.
“No,” Goel said to Cahil. It was the only voice Valek didn’t recognize.
“Goel, you were right about her. But this isn’t the way to deal with her. Especially not with her two henchmen nearby. Release her,” Cahil ordered.
“I don’t take orders from you. Everyone else can pretend you’re in charge. I won’t,” Goel said.
“Areyouchallenging my authority?” Cahil demanded.
“You don’t have any authority with me,” Goel shot back.
“How dare?—”
“Gentlemen!” Yelena shouted. “You can fight it out later. Everyone leave. Now! My arms are killing me.”
There was a rustle of movement and a door slammed shut.
“Where were we?” Yelena asked Goel.
“You can’t expect me…”
“Forget about them. You have more to worry about in here than outside.”
“You’re not really in the position to be boasting.”
“And you don’t fully understand what it’s like to go against amagician.”
Ah, there’s my love.
“You think I’m just some girl to be taught a lesson. That I should fear you. You’re the one who needs the lesson.”
Valek celebrated. Knowing Yelena could handle herself, he found a better place to hide and watch. Ari and Janco waited for her by the dilapidated fence. Cahil had also hidden nearby.
He wondered if Goel was part of the “lots of somethings” Yelena had been dealing with since being in Sitia. Various grunts and noises emanated from the shed before Yelena exited ten minutes later.
Ari smiled as Janco slapped a silver coin into his huge hand.
“Your problem?” Ari asked Yelena.
“I left him hanging.”
