AllFreeNovel
Share Us
Ellory’s eyes narrowed, then closed, and her face pinched with pain. “Please help me.”
“I will,” Verve replied as she returned to the mage’s side. “But only if you swear to me—on whatever god you pray to—that after, you’ll leave Lotis forever. The ones sniffing after you cannot track you here, do you understand? Leave Lotis and its people alone, and never return. Swear this, and I’ll see that you’re healed.”
She stared at Ellory and used every ounce of her abilities to assess Ellory’s emotional state as the mage considered the offer. Perhaps Verve should have had more qualms about peeking into the mage’s mind, but she was well past caring about such courtesy with this particular magic-user.
So she couldn’t help her surprise when Ellory answered immediately, her voice gravel-rough. “I swear on my ancestors: if you help me now, I’ll leave Lotis alone. Forever.”
They regarded each other as Verve searched Ellory’s heart for deceit. She found only earnestness — and fear. Always fear.
It softened her already too-soft heart. “Good.” She removed one of her hematite pendants and placed the cord over Ellory’s head. The mage recoiled at the presence of the magic-dispelling stone, but did not protest. After a few awkward, fumbling moments, Verve got Ellory’s arm around her shoulder, and they began the slow, painful trek back toward Lotis.
Alem was going to be thrilled.
* * *
Despite all evidence to the contrary, Verve was not stupid enough to bring Ellory into Lotis proper. Instead, she deposited the shape-changer beside an old abandoned dock on the outskirts of the village, leaving her with a promise to return with a healer. Whether Ellory would believe Verve was another matter, but on the brief trip to the dock, Verve had assessed Ellory’s wounds enough to realize the shiftling wouldn’t be able to do much harm to anyone in her current state.
Verve hurried back to Lotis and tracked Alem to the Tipsy Willow, where Ivet had gathered the rest of the villagers. A veil of tension was strung taut over Lotis, obscuring all other emotions. When Verve pushed the door open, the villagers’ tension spiked. Every face swung toward her, so she lifted her hands in a gesture meant to calm.
“The threat’s handled for now,” she said as Ivet rose. “But stay here a while longer, just in case. Alem?”
“I’m here.” He had been sitting with the children and Ivet, but like the village leader, had risen to meet Verve. “You’re injured?”
“Not me.” She dropped her voice to a whisper that the little ones hopefully wouldn’t hear. “One of the mages I tried talking to. Oh, don’t look at me like that. I didn’t hurt her. From the look of her wounds, it was another shiftling.”
Alem nodded. “Let me get a few things, then show me where.”
“What? No, just give me some poultices. Strongest ones you’ve got. Then wait here until I return.” The last thing she needed was Alem using his magic in front of a known mage-killer like Ellory.
Or like you? Space-Between-Stars offered.
Verve rolled her eyes. Were all Fae so unhelpful?
Alem ran a hand over one of his braids. “My life is my own to risk. Someone needs my help. I can’t turn away now. I’ll be right back.”
As he went for his healer’s pack, Ivet caught Verve’s arm. “This injured mage,” she murmured. “Do you trust her?”
“Not yet.” Verve thought of the roil of fear in Ellory’s spirit; the one that her own spirit echoed. “But I’d like to. Either way, I won’t bring her here without your permission.”
Ivet studied Verve with eyes that missed nothing. “Do what you think is right,” she said at last. “I trust you.”
Alem returned with his pack then, and as they slipped out of the Willow’s door, Ivet’s words rang in Verve’s ears. I trust you.
A strong, slender hand gripped her own; a tether to the moment. She looked at Alem, who gave her an encouraging nod, despite how his mind focused on the task ahead.
I won’t let you down, Verve thought, and squeezed his hand back. Together, they pounded over the boardwalk, heading for the injured mage.
They found Ellory on the weather-beaten dock where Verve had left her. The shiftling sat with her back against an old support post, green eyes roaming over the horizon, body tense and alert for danger. Verve sensed the moment Ellory heard them, for the shape-changer’s fear soared once she realized who approached.
Verve almost felt sorry for her.
“There,” Verve said, pointing to the dock. “Let me go first and make sure she’s still in the mood to parlay.”
While Alem waited several yards away, Verve approached Ellory again. The shiftling regarded Verve and Alem with wariness but, like Verve, seemed to try to at least act civilly. Well, her life did depend on Verve, after all. Civility was the least she could do.
“I brought help,” Verve said as she stepped on the weathered wood. “Do you still agree to our bargain?”
Ellory dipped her head in a nod, then grimaced. A pool of blood had appeared below her seat; a bad sign that the wound had not yet closed. The mage met Verve’s eyes and genuine fear bled through her voice. “Will I lose the leg?”
