Taken by Magic by Jasmine Walt

Author:Jasmine Walt [Walt, Jasmine]
Language: eng
Format: epub
Publisher: Dynamo Press
Published: 2017-10-25T16:00:00+00:00

15

At some point, I dozed off in the middle of the field, with Broghan using my chest as a pillow. I’d scrutinized the constellations above us earlier to try and determine if I was in Recca, but I hadn’t been able to come up with a definitive answer, so I decided I might as well try to regain my strength. I was just having a nice dream about being back at home, surrounded by Iannis and my friends at a feast and sinking my teeth into a juicy haunch of meat, when I felt myself suddenly yanked away.

Opening my eyes, I found myself prone in Ennartha’s garden once again, with the three women staring down at me. Deryna seemed relieved to see me and gave me a tentative smile. Ennartha was impassive, and Ta’sradala furious. I jumped to my feet, adrenaline rushing through my body as I realized I was finally back.

“I passed your tests,” I said, jabbing a finger at Ta’sradala. “You have to take me back home now!”

“Hmph,” Ta’sradala said. “I don’t know about that. The only reason you survived was because of that silly shape-shifter who helped you out. Who was he, anyway? I didn’t know any creatures like that lived in those caves.”

I froze, looking around. Broghan wasn’t anywhere nearby, and the snakeskin belt he’d previously disguised himself as was gone. “Broghan?” I called in mindspeak, a little anxious. “Are you okay?”

There was no reply.

What had happened to him? I guessed that when Ta’sradala had transported me back, Broghan had not come with me, since he wasn’t attached to my body like he’d been last time. He was probably still in that field, poor thing. I hoped he would be all right on his own, though from recent experience, he seemed quite capable of taking care of himself.

“You never specified that I couldn’t use outside help,” I said tersely. “I’ve won your game fair and square. Now take me back.”

“And why should I listen to an impertinent mortal like you?” Ta’sradala asked, looking down her nose at me. “You do not make demands of a Tua—you get on your knees and beg.” The malicious glitter in her eyes told me even that would be no use—she would enjoy my humiliation without yielding an inch.

“I shouldn’t even have to ask!” I thundered, losing my temper completely. “You told me that if I won, you would let me go, and I have! How are you any better than us ‘mortals’ if you can’t be bothered to keep your own word?”

“She has a point, Mother,” Ennartha said uneasily. “Surprising as it may be, she has completed the challenges.”

“That is for me to decide!” Ta’sradala exclaimed angrily. “Besides, promises to humans don’t count. Are you actually taking this pitiful mortal’s side?”

“You are the worst person I have ever met,” I hissed, my entire body vibrating with anger. I wanted to claw Ta’sradala’s perfect face off, and indeed I might have thrown a punch or two if I didn’t value my life.

Download

Copyright Disclaimer:
This site does not store any files on its server. We only index and link to content provided by other sites. Please contact the content providers to delete copyright contents if any and email us, we'll remove relevant links or contents immediately.