The issue wasn’t whether I could summon my kin to our ancient homeland—it was that I didn’t know how to tell them it could mean certain death for all who entered The Elora Isles.
They ate as if their stomachs hadn’t received the slightest bit of food in days, repeatedly thanking Zaela’s mother for her hospitality while I sat in silence, moving around bits of roasted chicken with my fork.
After she left us once more, they pushed their plates away after gorging themselves and returned their attention to me.
Elianna broke the silence first. “When you first arrived in Ellecaster, Avery spoke of a spell book you possess that aided your escape from Isla. Is that here with you now?”
“Indeed,” I answered as I pivoted in my seat and reached for my woven bag at my side.
I placed the small satchel on the table, and everyone leaned closer in curiosity.
“The book wouldn’t fit in that, Veli. We don’t have time for meddling games,” Avery hissed, and Elianna raised a brow as she watched me.
My lip curled back in annoyance as I reached into the bag, and when I pulled it out, my hand heldTinaebris Malifisc.
Power radiated from it the moment it left the confines of the bag.
“Holy gods,” Elianna breathed. “I can…feelit. Its presence.” Her eyes moved up toward my own. “How did you...?”
I grinned. “Witchcraft. The bag was meticulously crafted to conceal and protect any magical items it contained, camouflaging it from the realm.”
The room was cloaked in near darkness as the sun completely set—the only source of light came from the blazing candles scattered about the space. I placed the ancient book atop the table.
I could feel the power humming beneath my fingertips as they grazed the book’s leather-like surface. Memories flashed across my vision of how I came into possession of the relic, and what I had done…who I hadbetrayedto obtain it.
Elianna’s gaze bore into me, the flickering candlelight reflecting in her haunted stare. “This is the book you spoke of that possesses the forbidden magic?”
Finnian shivered in his chair.
I tapped my chin with my nail as I observed her. “What do you know of sorcery?”
She crossed her arms. “Aside from what you have already revealed? Not much else.”
I pivoted to her human mate. “And you, mortal?”
“I would say my knowledge is even less than what she possesses.”
My attention moved to his companions. “And the same for each of you?”
“I know nothing of witchcraft,” Gage answered, and Zaela nodded in agreement at his side.
My eyes remained on the blonde, who I had found myself unable to resist sneaking peeks at. My next words were solely for her. “Would you like to know more of witchcraft?”
Her eyes flared in response right before I moved my attention back to Elianna.
“As I have explained to your siblings before, there are different elements of magic—this book has the sole purpose of providing dark, malicious sorcery to its wielder. Once a spell is cast, that witch possesses the power to manipulate said spell at any given time without being in possession of the book.”
“Forever?” Jace questioned.
“Indeed.”
“So you possess the magic it took to sneak everyone out of the city—the shadows that you also wielded back in Ellecaster,” Elianna interjected.
My jaw clenched. “Indeed,” I echoed.
“What other types of magic does this book contain?” she asked.
“Blood magic,” Avery chimed in, and my gaze whipped to her.
