Tainted Waters by Lucretia Stanhope

Author:Lucretia Stanhope [Stanhope, Lucretia]
Language: eng
Format: epub
Published: 2018-02-01T22:00:00+00:00

Chapter Twelve

ALICE WAITED FOR Jasper to stop mixing liquids before she asked, “how long was I sleeping?”

“A little while. Much longer and I would have woken you.” He motioned toward his mixtures. “This is pressing. It won’t be long before the next shift of entrance guards wonders why they haven’t been tapped to duty.”

“Has the sample given you any new answers?” She used her forefingers to wipe away the sleep from her eyes, and dragged her hands through her hair to tug out the tangles.

“No. I haven’t worked with the small one, for obvious reasons.” He nodded toward the glowing vial off to the side, before moving a transparent glass with some water toward her. “Start with the less toxic one.”

“I dreamed of the water.” Her gaze flicked down, and when she spoke again her voice was a defeated sigh. “And witches. They haunted my sleep. They hate me now, and will try to kill me.”

“I would venture they hated you from the start.” Jasper stared at her a few beats before he turned his attention back to his work. “Tell me about the water dream. Witch dreams and intuition are legendary.”

“How did you learn so much about witches?” She moved closer and swirled the water in the glass. Words swirled with it.

“I told you, I studied them. With a coven so near our cave exit, it seemed prudent to employ a mage with witch casting ability. Oracles are easy to find; witch adept elves are not.” His posture straightened and tone held pride.

Alice found the size of his mouth and sharpness of his teeth as a grin filled his face disturbing. “I understand that, but I don’t imagine any witches volunteered to teach you. Plus, you all act like I am the first witch you’ve ever seen.”

“I have texts. Before grimoires, witches of ancient times kept records that were similar, with castings, recipes, and even journal entries.” His lips pursed as he watched more questions forming in her eyes. “We don’t have time for history or witchcraft lessons. Elves will die. Decker could die. If things get too far out of hand, we all die, you and me as well.”

“I understand the severity of your predicament. My death has been seconds away since I arrived at the coven, and even more imminent since I stepped into your cave.” The questions that lingered pushed out as she edged closer. “Are the texts relics from the witches of ancient times who lived and learned with elves like you said? They hold the knowledge shared from your kind? Can I read them? When we finish with the water, will you teach me?” After the queries stopped, she swallowed back a dry lump. “I have no one.”

She watched as a range of emotions played out across his face, ending with something that appeared to be compassion. That must be new to elves.

He looked away. “Concentrate, please. Tell me about the swamp.”

Alice filled in the unspoken words in his features. His compassion was because he knew her fate.

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