Lykor’s vision pulsed while she screeched like a strangled bird, the shrill sound bouncing around the stone hallway. He would’ve used rending to restrain her, but Aesar had restricted his access to that ability.
Again.
Lykor swiped at their Well, attempting to snatch control of his shadows, but to no avail. He resorted to steering the girl ahead of him so that her flailing fists couldn’t connect with his face.
I intervened before the coercion did any lasting harm, Aesar said. You’ve already done enough damage by stealing her magic.
YOUR INTERFERENCE WASN’T REQUIRED.
Allowing the elf access to portaling wasn’t an option. Not after she knew of their location. Besides, her loss was their gain, but Aesar refused to recognize the benefits. Augmenting an ability they already possessed only strengthened that talent. With her added power, he’d be able to stretch his reach further across the horizon when the time came to portal jump across the Wastes.
But before Lykor could siphon the rest of her Well, the girl had called out for Vesryn, helplessly plunging him into the compulsive magic’s nightmare.
You will give portaling back to her, Aesar fumed, irritably cramming a strand of silver hair behind a pointed ear.
Even if the visual of Vesryn in his skull didn’t trigger the destructive magic, Lykor still flinched before his irritation began to boil. The increased frequency of the other meddling presence had come with unfortunate side effects.
Instead of being content with simply nagging as a disembodied voice, Aesar had begun appearing in their mind more frequently in his original elf form. He’d become more of a problem—especially now, with this mention of Vesryn piquing his interest.
Between the screaming girl flailing in his grip and Aesar battling to seize control of their body, Lykor’s frustration was ready to combust. He savagely rammed Aesar back into a crevice, unable to concentrate on fighting them both.
The elf stopped moving her feet, refusing to cooperate. Overriding her pathetic resistance, Lykor dragged her down the stone staircase leading to the dungeons. He briefly considered launching her to the next landing simply out of spite. But any broken bones from the fall would only inconvenience him if he decided to untether her. Not that he planned on letting her have access to his defenseless mind through the accursed bond.
When they reached the bottom level, Lykor towed the thrashing girl through the cell-lined hallway and into the interrogation room. She stilled under his claw—finally shutting up—as her eyes orbited around the chamber. Flames from the pronged torches glinted off of the instruments of torture. The veins of gold scrawled into the stone walls and ceiling reflected a gleaming, mirrored light.
What are you doing with her? Aesar demanded. Within the shared space of their mind, Aesar recreated his memory of the palace library, appearing in the vaulted atrium.
Lykor ground his fangs at the interfering reemergence and the alarmingly vivid surroundings that Aesar had constructed—a testament to his increasing strength. It was just one fucking thing after another today.
Lykor released the girl’s arm. Taking advantage of the freedom, she bolted to the opposite end of the chamber before tearing at the golden shackle clamped around her wrist. The tether had been quick thinking on Fenn’s part. Nearly noteworthy.
Before Aesar could nag at him again, Lykor erupted. WOULD YOU GIVE ME A SCORCHING MINUTE TO GET ANSWERS ABOUT THE HEART? THAT’S WHAT YOU AND KAL WANTED ME TO DO. STARS, I WON’T HARM YOUR BROTHER’S PLAYTHING. THOUGH, CONSIDERING YOUR MEMORIES, I DOUBT HE’D NOTICE IF HE’S MISSING ONE.
Aesar bristled, shoving his hands into his pockets. In their mind, he paced in front of the expansive windows overlooking the capital. Waiting.
Hauling his attention back to the dungeon, Lykor’s ears perked at a whistling, like wind howling around a crag. He frowned, turning to face the noise emanating from the hallway.
Lykor staggered as something bashed him over the head, blotching his sight. He shook the stunned feeling out of his skull before whipping his eyes to the elf, his mind reeling to catch up.
Her mouth was slack for a moment before her face twisted into a glare. The girl stretched out a hand, forming a fist. The flame from a torch streaked toward him like a fiery arrow. Instinctively, Lykor threw an arm up to protect his face, realizing a moment too late that he should’ve used a shield. Pain ignited in his palm.
WHAT THE FUCK? Lykor stared at his claw, angry and blistered. Bubbled and burned.
He bared his fangs at the elf, eyes pinning on the tether to confirm that it was still latched to her wrist. Ignoring him, she dashed to the wall of hanging, gold-plated weapons.
Lykor heard chuckling. He tunneled inward to confront that bane in his skull, materializing in their mindspace. Aesar was in his library, doubled over, laughing at him.
WHAT? Lykor snarled, keeping half of his attention on the girl, who was jumping to reach a golden mace. She couldn’t lift that one anyway.
So Kal’s sire curated those human shaman lines with elven blood after all. Aesar wiped at a stray tear, eyes shining with mirth. What are the odds that we share a bond with one of them? He flapped a hand and burst into another cackling fit, plopping down onto a reading couch.
YES, FUCKING HILARIOUS. Lykor lingered at the threshold of Aesar’s atrium, crossing his arms. WHAT’S YOUR POINT?
Elbows perched on his knees, Aesar leaned forward. What if all of those half-elves have elemental power? That striking male you’re obsessed with could too.
I AM NOT OBSESSED. Aesar’s unexpected jab had Lykor’s rebuttal more defensive than he’d intended.
Redirecting his thoughts away from that amber-eyed elf, Lykor cycled through the possibilities of having elemental power at his disposal, doubting that he could siphon those powers from the girl and use them himself. Not that Aesar would allow him to attempt it without a fight.
Lykor voiced his conclusion. SHE COULD USE THAT MAGIC FOR US TO AID IN CROSSING THE WASTES.
Aesar’s amusement faded. The king has more of a head start than we anticipated if he’s already resurrected shaman power. He stared at the sofa’s armrest, tracing a seam. I wouldn’t be surprised if he intends to control the abilities of these half-elves or those with shaman blood. My guess is that he’ll attempt to subdue the Maelstrom and brave the sea to reach the Aelfyn homeland.
Lykor scoffed. THAT’S ABSURD.
She might know something. Aesar glanced at him, thumbing his chin. We have no idea what she could be capable of but you’re lucky she appears just as startled as we are by those powers.
Lykor studied the girl as she finally gave up on reaching for a weapon. His conversation with Aesar occurred in heartbeats while she glowered at him from across the room.
LET ME GUESS. YOU WANT TO BE THE ONE TALKING TO HER?
I could get more answers than you and not terrify her at the same time. Aesar folded his arms, kicking an ankle over a knee. I don’t know if the stars finally decided to balance the scales, but we could use the help of her elemental magic. And for the record, I don’t agree with keeping her hostage.
Lykor dug his fists into his eyes, a bone-deep weariness clinging to his marrow. WOULD YOU LIKE TO RISK HER INFORMING THE ELVES OF OUR LOCATION?
Fine, Aesar conceded, pursing his lips. If she’s staying, then maybe you can bring yourself to be civil and rectify this situation. Aesar pointed an accusatory finger at him. How about you start by healing where you sank your talons into her flesh?
I’M NOT A SAVANT LIKE YOU, Lykor fired back. I DON’T KNOW HOW TO MEND.
