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He frowned. But the pain. I don’t want you to hurt like that again. Should I try to channel the power?
I honestly don’t know. But I want to make the attempt and we can figure it out as we go along.
Sounds good.
She nodded once then closed her eyes again. She drew inside herself and focused solely on the elf-lord power. Only a couple of seconds passed before the earth began to rumble. She knew Margetta would sense the shift, so whatever she was going to do, she had to act quickly.
When the pain started, she knew she couldn’t afford to wait for it to ease up. Stone would have to be involved.
She grabbed his arm and held on, then let the power flow into him. Only this time, she focused on bringing it back to herself.
When she felt it return, yet without the smallest discomfort, she began constructing something she’d never made before: A shield that would block their presence to outsiders.
I can feel what you’re doing and there’s no pain for you, is there? Stone’s telepathic voice sounded excited within her mind.
She felt the same way. No pain at all. But I’m sensing movement. She opened her eyes and glanced up the tunnel. Stone followed her gaze.
In the distance, was a golden glow.
Margetta. Stone drew close, sliding his arm around her waist. She must have felt the earth rumble when you accessed the elf-lord power.
Rosamunde’s heart slammed around in her chest until she felt sure it would burst. What do we do now?
Stone drew her tight against the miserably wet cave wall. We wait to see if your shield holds.
~ ~ ~
Stone watched Margetta’s gold light grow increasingly intense until suddenly the Ancient Fae appeared around the corner. She was a striking woman whom he’d only ever seen in her long velvet gowns. She wore a dark blue one now as she levitated slowly in their direction. Her violet eyes were wide and searching. Her long blond hair, sculpted into large ringlets, floated around her shoulders all the way to her waist. Except for the hard line of her lips, she was a beautiful woman.
“I can feel your presence, Mastyr Stone, but I can’t see you. What has your clever wolf done for you this time?”
Stone tightened his arm around Aralynn. She trembled beside him, but the elf-lord power kept her shield tight and he knew it would hold.
He held his breath as she breezed past them, flying even more swiftly back down the tunnel. She carried an evil stench, like rotting garbage.
He didn’t move, however. Aralynn didn’t either. Margetta wouldn’t leave her captives for very long. Barely ten seconds later, the gold light returned and flew past them. He couldn’t even see Margetta this time, just the brilliant light surrounding her as she raced back in the direction she’d come.
When she disappeared, Stone released a strained breath. Aralynn turned into him and slung her free arm around his waist.
He surrounded her with his arms and held her close. Her voice hit his telepathy. That smell. I hate it more than anything.
You’ve smelled it often?
Not really. Just once, when I was a little girl. Margetta killed my mother.
Stone grew very still. The revelation was not something Aralynn had told him before. No wonder you’re shaking.
Slowly, she drew back and lifted her face to his. Her brown eyes were wet with tears. She offered a faltering smile. But the shield held, so we’re good.
We’re good.
She took a deep breath and her lips curved. Let’s go get your men.
He loved her courage more than anything and without thinking, he kissed her again, another quick press of his lips to hers. She caressed his face and nodded.
Releasing her, he levitated away from the wall, yet he could feel the shield like a clinging drag of mist all around him. He was grateful for the physical sensation since he’d be able to detect any change if something went wrong.
I know these caves inside and out and I’ve seen exactly where Margetta has the mastyrs chained up. Stick close. The words sounded like a bark, even telepathically.
