Shattered Magic by Rebecca York

Author:Rebecca York
Language: eng
Format: mobi, epub
Publisher: Harlequin
Published: 2012-12-09T23:00:00+00:00

Chapter Seven

Light woke Grantland. When he sat up, he saw a passageway through the rubble at the mouth of the cave.

“How long have you been up?” he asked Rowan.

“Long enough to clear a path. It’s still early. We should leave as soon as we can.”

“You should have called me.”

“Why?”

“I could have helped move the rocks on the ground.”

She shrugged. “I still have cheese and bread in my carry bag. We should eat, then leave.”

Again they ate in silence, then packed their things.

When she started for the entrance to the cave, he held her back.

“Wait.”

He stepped outside, allowed his eyes to adjust to the light, then inspected the scene. When he was sure no danger lurked nearby, he motioned her out.

“Which way?” he asked.

She pointed up the mountain and started making her way up the slope. He followed.

They kept up a steady pace, stopping by a stream to drink when the sun had climbed part way up the sky. He was impressed with her ability to keep going. She could march as well as any of the soldiers he knew.

Shading his eyes, he looked up.

“We can get there by late afternoon,” she said, then turned to face him. “I’ve been thinking on the problem of getting you into the village.”

“There are guards?” he asked, thinking of the defenses at Arandal Castle.

“No. For safety’s sake, there are wards that enclose the village. When we get close to the top of the mountain, you will feel a strong need to turn around and run.”

“I won’t.”

“It’s not that simple. The wards will work on your mind in ways that you can’t anticipate.”

“You mean they are dark magic,” he answered.

“No. Protections for my people. You won’t be able to get through on your own. I had trouble leaving. It’s not just the warning in your head. There’s an invisible barrier.”

He felt his eyes narrow. “Then what game are you playing?”

“No game. Just a warning that it will not be easy. Do you want to go back?”

“Of course not.”

“Then you will have to hold tight to me. I already came through once. This time I’ll be better prepared. And I will take you with me. But we still have some time before we encounter the barrier.”

“Then why are you telling me now?”

“So you will not be surprised by it.”

They rested for a while, then started toward the mountaintop again.

* * *

As they drew near to the shield, Rowan waited for the warning to shoot into her mind.

It happened to Grantland first. One moment he was walking beside her. The next, he was down on his knees, his hands clamped to his ears, his face contorted in pain.

She pulled him back, out of range, and his angry eyes shot toward her.

“What trick is this?”

“You’re always expecting tricks. Those are the wards I told you about. The barrier comes next.”

Rowan saw his jaw clench. She knew that a man with less resolve would give up, but Grantland would see this through if it was within his power.

“I’m going to try and shield you,” she said.

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