Warlord's Ward

Secrets of the Book

There was a beat in the room that seemed to thrum faster. Making the walls themselves feel as though they were humming.

I looked around fearfully, wondering if the tower would collapse in around us from the exertion of power within its depths.

Tanya and Rampage's hair blew in the wind that was conjured like the hand of a force that couldn't be seen. Working through the book with expert precision. Stopping on a page or two as if some giant leaned over us to inspect them more thoroughly.

Soon another wisping strand jutted from Rampage and aimed in our direction. Rearing up like the head of a threatening snake before shooting toward us at a ludicrous speed.

I took a step away from Killian. Certain that it was coming for him. Needing his magic.

I gasped when it divided at the last moment and speared into both of us. It felt like someone had plugged something into me to draw my very life force. It was hard to breathe. Feeling like minutes passed between each and that the space around me was resisting the inflation of my lungs.

Currents wafted over to Rampage and suffused him in an orange glow which made the pages sputter as they went faster. And made the room seem to brighten then dim as if lightning flashed in here or clouds were moving rapidly over the moon. Black, then silver, then black again.

Suddenly Rampage lifted a few inches off the floor and a particular orange tentacle whipped out from him to spike into the page. Slamming the book roughly against the floor. Making the hard leather slap.

Killian took a long step, fighting the strands burning through him to walk to the book. Kneeling over it to stare at the page. The light brightening his weary face told me what I was so curious about.

That's it. My astonished gaze moved to the giant man still floating over the floor, connected to the bit of magic pointing to the page. He found it.

Suddenly all those tentacles withdrew and retracted back into him, and he dropped smoothly onto his feet. His head falling forward and that shining hair falling around his face in long waves.

Tanya gave him a withering glower. Jerking her hand from his grip.

She's furious.

He rounded on her. Towering over her to murmur something under his breath.

She huffed up at him, but I noticed her foot sliding backward.

I knew that move. She's prepping to turn and run despite all her blustering.

It was rather amusing from my perspective.

She was so small and he, so large.

"They're nothing like us." Killian whispered near my ear. As if reading my thoughts. Again.

I think they are.

I turned mirthful eyes to him. "You don't think so?"

"You're glower is far worse."

"Truly?" I beamed. Blinking rapidly to show I took it as the compliment he intended.

"Far more fierce." He assured before straightening. His hands linked demurely behind his back. He stared ahead as though he weren't confiding some great compliment to me next to him.

I didn't know about that. But I liked hearing it, nonetheless.

"You're in a fine mood." I remarked. Noticing how different he seemed.

Lighter. Happier. Triumphant.

He should be. He's waited so long to find it.

"Indeed." He gave a single nod. Still watching Tanya and Rampage argue under their breath.