Page 16 of Mystery of Magic

I never considered what was going on could affect our bond. “Really? Is it because it’s necro magic? A power you don’t have.”

The light of the portal illuminated Daryn’s handsome features as we stopped before the portal.

“I don’t think so. The bond should alert me when you are in pain or danger.”

I frowned. “I don’t think I was in danger and the pain was... different. It wasn’t like an injury. It was like having an allergic reaction to something dark. This is hard to explain.”

“That’s why we are heading back. We need to figure this out.” He stepped into the portal, holding my hand, and I allowed the magical gateway to envelop us before the world shifted beneath us.

I was used to the otherworldly feeling of portal travel, but I still felt a sense of relief when my boots touched the pavement of sublevel four.

The hunters were still diligently working through the debris, but there were less of them, and I remembered that only seniors were authorized to be in this room unsupervised.

Amalie looked up as we stepped through and a man I didn’t recognize smiled at me as the light extinguished behind us.

Daryn nodded at the man seated beside Amalie. “Jacob, I was unaware you were running for council.”

Jacob touched Amalie’s shoulder. “I wasn’t planning to, but several townspeople elected me. I have always had a fondness for Ama. Alaric didn’t see how special she was. I tried to steal heraway on several occasions, but she continues to avert my advances.”

Amalie rolled her eyes. “You try to steal every man’s wife, Jacob. But you did win your seat by majority vote and have always been a loyal friend to Alaric. Even when he didn’t deserve it.”

Marlin shot daggers at the new black-robed council member. While Marlin had been elected to a council seat himself, he continued to wear his hunter gear. No hunter would be caught dead in a silk robe, or so Lochlan had told me.

I walked up to the table and held out my hand to Jacob. While I hadn’t met him, I had heard the stories of his womanizing before. Everyone said he was harmless unless you were serious about a relationship with him. “It’s nice to meet you, Jacob.”

He stood from the table and took my hand. Jacob was a striking man with raven hair, touched with wisps of gray. He had a well-defined jawline, and his eyes were a mesmerizing shade of green. They brimmed with secrets and mischief, and I could understand after only a few seconds why women fell for his many charms. He kissed my hand before he held it between his. “Shannon, you are even more enchanting in person. The stories do not do you justice.”

Daryn grunted. “Give it up Jacob. She is bound to me.”

He winked at me. “It falls on every man to appreciate the beauty of a woman.”

I smiled in spite of myself. “Thank you, but my heart belongs to Daryn.”

Jacob sighed and released my hand. “He is a fortunate man.”

Marlin shifted in his seat. “If you are done making a fool of yourself, Jacob, perhaps we could discuss council business.”

Amalie struggled not to smile, before she flicked a glance at Marlin. There was something in that look. Love. Admiration. It was hard to identify, though she was adamant there was nothingromantic between her and Marlin despite their past and the daughter they now shared.

I was about to comment on the recent activity in the forest when the elevator pinged, and Lana stepped out of the lift. While I was surprised she was allowed on sublevel four, I assumed the council had summoned her. Lochlan accompanied her, and she smiled when she met her father’s loving gaze, but it turned to one of disgust when her mother spoke.

CHAPTER 8

Amalie smiled at her daughter, but the creases in her forehead alerted me to her pain. She kept it from her voice, but I had known Amalie far too long and she had the same look she had when she dealt with her father in her early years.

Amalie smoothed the front of her robe. “Lana, have you felt any disturbances surrounding your magic?”

Lana flicked a gaze at her father. She wore a simple black T-shirt and lightweight black pants that were hunter issue. She had beautiful cream skin, and her long blond hair was pulled into a ponytail, but it was still strange to see her in a military-type outfit instead of her designer clothes. “No. I was informed the surge affected Caleb. This was necro magic which I don’t possess. You know that.” Her tone was curt, and Marlin flinched at the clear animosity in Lana’s voice.

Daryn stepped away from me. “Rookie Skinner. If I ever see you show such disrespect to any member of the council, let alone its head, you will be removed from this base. The hunters are trying to rebuild the fissure between the council and the hunters, and we practically forced your mother into a position she didn’t want.”

Lana paled and glanced at her father, but Marlin looked down as if he were ashamed. “I apologize. I forgot she isn’t my mother when we are in the council chamber. I will never let that happen again.”

Daryn stepped closer to Lana. “Amalie is always your mother. She put your welfare and safety above her own happiness. Do not make the mistake of thinking I would respect any hunter who would treat their family so callously. Keep in mind that we are also family. We fight and die for one another. I will not tolerate a flagrant disregard for such loyalty.”

Amalie looked like she was going to be sick. So did Marlin. Daryn had complete power over Lana’s future as a hunter and everyone in the room, including Lana, knew it. The silence was eerie as Lana swallowed hard.

Lana lowered her head. “I don’t know what to feel about what happened.”

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