Read Online Maiden's Wolf (In Deception's Shadow Book 3) by Lisa Blackwood - Free Book Online Page B
Authors: Lisa Blackwood
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paused at length and then
sighed, thinking how to phrase his next words without scaring the youngling.
With a mental shrug, he decided it best just to spit it out. Beatrice seemed
mature in spirit even if she was still young in body. She had the right to know
the dangers. “Not all brands denote ones who serve the Light.”
The female
glanced down at her mark and ran one finger along the complex series of swirls
and knots that composed the elegant design. Her expression darkened. “I have
been blessed not to have come in direct contact with an acolyte in many years.
I’ve only felt their presence distantly. So I cannot say with certainty that
this power isn’t something of their conjuring.”
“I have not been
so fortunate and know well the feel of an acolyte’s soul-numbing power.”
Silverblade ran a claw-tipped finger over his own brand, unease stirring within
again. “But I cannot rule out that they have more powers at their command. They
are an enemy we have not faced before.”
Beatrice nodded,
and then continued. “You may be correct. However, I do not think my magic would
allow an acolyte to mark me without a terrible fight. And if it is any comfort,
when I was healing you, my magic left no remaining trace of the acolytes’ dark
power. I even think your Larnkin, although damaged now, will recover fully in a
couple moon cycles under my care.”
Remembering back
to how her Larnkin had reached across a great distance and obliterated the
acolytes surrounding him with one swift, decisive strike, he had to agree with
Beatrice on that point. Whatever her power, it was greater and more terrible
than what a handful of acolytes could wield.
“Regardless, whether
I have been marked in some way by the acolytes or not, I must still find a way
to report what I’ve learned to my elders, and quickly.”
“My family and I
are friends with the Stonemantle sisters. I do not know if you are familiar
with them, but the eldest sister is the newly made bondmate of the Crown Prince
of the Phoenix, and she told us we should leave the human lands and that we
would be welcome among the santhyrian herd.” Beatrice looked up at him, gaze
questioning. “If the santhyrian herd is closer than your pack, perhaps it would
be wise to allow our paths to run together for a few days. At least until we
are safely beyond the acolytes’ reach? Once among santhyrian allies, surely
they will be able to get a message to your pack. For as long as we travel
together, my magic will continue to work at healing you.”
Her offer
elicited an unseemly surge of relief in his lupwyn soul. Not trusting his voice
to hide even half the relief he felt, he kept his lips firmly sealed and stared
at the fire. Perhaps this new weakness was just a result of the acolytes’
feeding and the subsequent severing of his pack bonds.
He’d already
recovered much of his physical strength. Perhaps if he stayed with Beatrice,
his magical strength would return too and with it, his pack bonds. Still, the
logical and responsible part of his mind knew he should send her on, while he
stayed behind and laid false trails for the acolytes to follow. Yet, if he
stayed with Beatrice instead of luring the acolytes off in another direction,
his own mission had a much better chance at success. And, if he could learn
more about Beatrice’s magic, they might be able to harness it into an even
deadlier weapon to use against the acolytes. But that could not be accomplished
without endangering the young healer.
While he’d been
at war with his own emotions, Beatrice had filled a bowl with stew and was now
holding it out to him. He stared at her simple offering, but knew if he reached
out for her, he would be accepting far more than a mundane meal.
Chapter Eleven
Beatrice held her
breath as she waited for him to take up her offer of friendship. He tilted his
head at her, a questioning look in his eyes.
“Do you not fear
me even a little? I thought humans feared
sighed, thinking how to phrase his next words without scaring the youngling.
With a mental shrug, he decided it best just to spit it out. Beatrice seemed
mature in spirit even if she was still young in body. She had the right to know
the dangers. “Not all brands denote ones who serve the Light.”
The female
glanced down at her mark and ran one finger along the complex series of swirls
and knots that composed the elegant design. Her expression darkened. “I have
been blessed not to have come in direct contact with an acolyte in many years.
I’ve only felt their presence distantly. So I cannot say with certainty that
this power isn’t something of their conjuring.”
“I have not been
so fortunate and know well the feel of an acolyte’s soul-numbing power.”
Silverblade ran a claw-tipped finger over his own brand, unease stirring within
again. “But I cannot rule out that they have more powers at their command. They
are an enemy we have not faced before.”
Beatrice nodded,
and then continued. “You may be correct. However, I do not think my magic would
allow an acolyte to mark me without a terrible fight. And if it is any comfort,
when I was healing you, my magic left no remaining trace of the acolytes’ dark
power. I even think your Larnkin, although damaged now, will recover fully in a
couple moon cycles under my care.”
Remembering back
to how her Larnkin had reached across a great distance and obliterated the
acolytes surrounding him with one swift, decisive strike, he had to agree with
Beatrice on that point. Whatever her power, it was greater and more terrible
than what a handful of acolytes could wield.
“Regardless, whether
I have been marked in some way by the acolytes or not, I must still find a way
to report what I’ve learned to my elders, and quickly.”
“My family and I
are friends with the Stonemantle sisters. I do not know if you are familiar
with them, but the eldest sister is the newly made bondmate of the Crown Prince
of the Phoenix, and she told us we should leave the human lands and that we
would be welcome among the santhyrian herd.” Beatrice looked up at him, gaze
questioning. “If the santhyrian herd is closer than your pack, perhaps it would
be wise to allow our paths to run together for a few days. At least until we
are safely beyond the acolytes’ reach? Once among santhyrian allies, surely
they will be able to get a message to your pack. For as long as we travel
together, my magic will continue to work at healing you.”
Her offer
elicited an unseemly surge of relief in his lupwyn soul. Not trusting his voice
to hide even half the relief he felt, he kept his lips firmly sealed and stared
at the fire. Perhaps this new weakness was just a result of the acolytes’
feeding and the subsequent severing of his pack bonds.
He’d already
recovered much of his physical strength. Perhaps if he stayed with Beatrice,
his magical strength would return too and with it, his pack bonds. Still, the
logical and responsible part of his mind knew he should send her on, while he
stayed behind and laid false trails for the acolytes to follow. Yet, if he
stayed with Beatrice instead of luring the acolytes off in another direction,
his own mission had a much better chance at success. And, if he could learn
more about Beatrice’s magic, they might be able to harness it into an even
deadlier weapon to use against the acolytes. But that could not be accomplished
without endangering the young healer.
While he’d been
at war with his own emotions, Beatrice had filled a bowl with stew and was now
holding it out to him. He stared at her simple offering, but knew if he reached
out for her, he would be accepting far more than a mundane meal.
Chapter Eleven
Beatrice held her
breath as she waited for him to take up her offer of friendship. He tilted his
head at her, a questioning look in his eyes.
“Do you not fear
me even a little? I thought humans feared
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