AllFreeNovel
Share Us
Twenty-One
Baine
Lord Demious frowned as we walked outside to meet the Borderlands Agent. The sight of Demious’ hands on Rosalie plagued my mind, but I had to ignore the festering anger and deal with the visitors on the lawn.
“I thought we had an understanding?” Demious clasped his hands in front of his robes.
Marco and three of my men flanked the agents, waiting for my signal. If the agents tried to discuss the situation with violence, they would find our blades in their necks.
“The situation has changed.” The agent took out a rod and I grabbed the hilts of my swords. Sensing our unease, the agent held up a hand to make us pause. “Easy. Someone wishes to speak to you.”
With the black rod in his hand, the agent swirled it in a circle, creating a blue glowing light. The portal opened and a young woman with stark blonde hair, dressed in a white and red high collared dress, stepped out.
“Kelia?” Lord Demious moved forward.
“Hello, Demious.”
“It’s been a long time.” Demious waved at me to stand down. “You look well.”
Demious had many friends in high places, but I never remembered him talking about the Magi Council with any type of reverie. Whoever this woman was, she was important, and powerful.
“And you look old.” She walked past him, ignoring the flicker of awe in Demious’ eyes. “Bring the girls to me. I will test them now.”
“I’ve already made my choice.” Demious scampered after the blonde woman. “You can have the rest.”
I flinched at the mention of his future bride. Rosalie would be nothing more than a child bearer for him. He showed more admiration to this stranger than the woman he was supposed to marry.
“We don’t have time for your games. Bring all the girls to me.”
“Of course, Kelia.” Demious snapped his fingers at me. “Gather the girls from the dining hall and bring them here.”
“Understood.” Giving a bow, I turned on my heel, thankful that Demious’ selfish nature would keep Rosalie out of this exercise. She was the only one not in the hall, and after how I left, she would most likely be in her room or somewhere else.
Marco stepped next to me as we entered the mansion. “What’s going on? Why is Kelia here?”
“You know her?”
“You don’t?” Marco spoke in hushed tones. “Don’t let her age fool you. That’s Kelia Ironstone. One of the magi’s strongest mages, and she does whatever they say, without question or sympathy.”
“It doesn’t matter. Bring the girls out to her. I’ll meet you there.”
“Where are you going?”
“I need to check on something.”
Shaking his head, Marco took the other guards and headed down the corridor.
Using my swiftness, I flashed to the library. I needed to make sure Rosalie was still there. There was no question that she was the strongest woman here. Even if the magistrate had chosen his bride, the magi woman couldn’t be trusted. The only way to ensure Rosalie’s safety was to keep her far away from the agents.
I opened the door to an empty room.
Where did she go?
“Rosalie?”
Stepping inside the quiet library, I searched the area, hoping to see a flash of red hair. The air in the room chilled. The unnatural shift sent a warning through my body. Unsheathing my swords, I activated my tattoo. The ivy glowed and with my arm outstretched, I searched for the source.
Nothing, though my fae senses knew better. Something was here.
