Page 110 of The Study of Fire
“One.”
“What happens to the Fire Warper after this ritual?”
“Once you’re dead, our deal is complete. We have promised him your power and we have fed him in exchange for knowledge about the blood magic. He will then have enough power to rule the underworld.”
A shout echoed. Magic swelled, pressing against Valek’s face.
Finally. He peered over a bush. The sounds of a clash south of the glen drew everyone’s attention. Valek spotted Janco, Ari, and others fighting the Keep’s guards in the open area north of the dining hall.
Roze turned to the commotion and gestured to her warpers. “Take care of them.” Unconcerned, she faced Yelena, “You know they will not get close to us. My warpers and I have enough power to stop them.”
“Yes, I know.”
“But I don’t think you believe it. Watch what I can do. This used to drain me of energy. Now it takes only a thought.” Her gaze went to Moon Man.
His face paled, and his body jerked once then stilled. The shine in his eyes dulled as he died. Valek stifled a cry of dismay. He’d liked and respected Moon Man.
Yelena dove over the Story Weaver’s body. Valek hoped she had collected the man’s soul.
Gede gasped. “He was for the ritual.”
Roze laughed. “Don’t worry. She’ll now give me two sources of power when I cut her heart out.”
“We made a deal, Roze. My cooperation for Moon Man.” Yelena’s voice shook with fury as she brushed the sand from her clothes.
“And you won’t cooperate when I press a knife to Leif’s throat?” Roze asked. “You’re too soft, Soulfinder. You could have raised a soulless army. They would have been undefeatable. Magic doesn’t work on them. Only fire.”
Another cry sounded. This one was fainter. The rioters.
A Daviian raced toward Roze.
“Now what?” Roze asked him.
“The Keep’s gates are under attack,” he said, panting.
Roze glanced at the warpers fighting with the Keep’s magicians. “There is nobody left to rescue you,” Roze said to Yelena. She then redirected a few warpers from the battle to deal with the revolt at the gates.
“Roze, you haven’t figured everything out.”
She looked dubious. “What have I missed? Valek? Oh, I know he’s here. Magic might not affect him, but Curare will do the trick.”
“No. The Fire Warper.”
“What about him?”
“You haven’t taken into account that he might have different plans than you.”
“Don’t be ridiculous. Gede and I feed him. We give him his power. Who else would help him?”
“I would.”
Yelena bolted toward the fire. For the second time, Valek watched as she disappeared into the flames. A scorching heat encircled his heart. The burning pain fueled his anger.
He edged around the glen and loaded his blowpipe. When he neared the melee of warpers and magicians, he targeted the warpers until he ran out of darts. Then he pulled his sword and waded into the fray despite being vastly outnumbered. They just needed to give Yelena some time to deal with the Fire Warper. He didn’t know how she planned to do it, but he trusted her.
As Valek fought, he caught glimpses of the others. Gale swept warpers off their feet with sand-filled whirlwinds. Ari went down and lay frozen. Janco’s sword blurred with the speed of his attacks. Magic pressed on Valek from all directions, impeding his movements as if he’d fallen into a giant vat of honey.
Cahil and Marrok also fought the Daviians. Bain toppled after a dart pricked his neck. Once Roze joined the fighting, Irys was ensnared in some kind of magical hold. Leif cried out and collapsed. One by one, Valek’s teammates were immobilized and dragged to the glen, where they were staked to the sand. He fought four opponents while darts whizzed past his ears. Keeping the warpers between him and the guy with the blowpipe, Valek ducked and dodged.
