Haunting Shadows (Book 2)

Chapter 38

The tension between the sorcerers was palpable, and although Casian sympathized, he didn’t have time to deal with any of their drama right now.

And then they all started speaking at once.

“Mallory, let me explain!”

“You have some nerve showing up here again.”

“Why on Earth would you let Andreas believe Lana is dead?!”

“I’m sorry I hurt you!”

“It’s not just me you hurt!”

“Do you realize the mess you’ve made?”

“He had his reasons!”

Casian had a hard time discerning which statement belonged to who, and after a while stopped listening all together. He and Argento shared a look and let the sorcerers settle the bad blood between them. Or at least as much of it as there was time for. He folded his arms and tapped his foot impatiently. The voices were getting increasingly louder and more agitated. Casian had the sense that he should step in any minute now before they ended up hurting the other.

“Sorry to interrupt,” he began. “But in case the two of you,” he gestured at Mallory and Kalen, “have forgotten, we are king of on a sensitive time lone. Whatever your problems are with Raphael and his companion, it can wait until later.” His voice commanded their attention, and they all stared at him with blank expressions.

“I’m sorry, but I didn’t get your name,” Raphael said, regarding the dragoon lord warily.

“Casian,” he offered, extending his hand. Raphael accepted it with a sense of unease clearly written over his face. “You must be the person who created the mess we are now in. Any death by Andreas’ hand now, is on your conscience.”

Raphael pulled back as if Casian had stabbed him. “I put Andreas where he can cause no harm especially for that reason. I covered my bases.”

“Very convenient, is it not? Perhaps a little too convenient, no? What I don’t understand is why this whole little plan was orchestrated in the first place. What could you possibly have to gain?”

“My reasons are mine, and mine alone. But whenever I feel like sharing, I will let you know,” Raphael replied, his voice edging on darkness.

Casian burst with laughter. “I was right, you truly are misguided. No worries, we’ll fix that. Do tell me, has the blood curse started effecting yet, or does Almahalc not yet know that Lana has escaped you?”

Raphael flinched and his sidekick stepped in next to him, his eyebrows pulled into worry lines. “How could you possibly know that?” the former demanded, his voice dangerously low.

Casian sighed. “Well, up until just a couple of days ago, I was dead. The dead see everything, Raphe. I know why you took Lana, I was simply giving you a chance to admit it yourself. You could say that you’ve failed my little test.”

The sorcerer fumed and Casian casually stepped past him, the baby dragon following shortly behind. “Now, if you’ll excuse us. We’re going to go clean up the royal mess you’ve made.”

“If you saw everything you would know I had no choice!” Raphael yelled and Casian turned to face him, shaking his head sadly.

“That does seem to be what you believe, but there is always a choice, Raphael. You just keep making the wrong ones. The blood curse does have a cure, but only one sorcerer alive knows the spell. Take a wild guess as to who that might be and why the seer might want him disabled.”

Understanding filled Raphael’s being, causing him to lose his footing, but it wasn’t him who answered. “Andreas, he knows the spell,” Eric commented.

“But there is no way in hell he’d help you now,” Kalen said, his face pulled in deep thought.

“Maybe not now… but perhaps if you help us reunite him with Lana?” Mallory suggested, her expression a carefully guarded mask.

The words urging to jump from Raphael’s mouth, fell dead on his lips, his eyes lingering on the sorceress. So many unspoken words passed between them and Casian suddenly felt sorry for Kalen. Just earlier that day he had noticed his growing feeling for Mallory, but now it seems like Raphael might hinder his desires. It was clear that Mallory and Raphael shared feelings for each other. The kind of feelings one never gets over no matter how infuriating the other party might become. Mallory was pissed at Raphael, for what reason, Casian could only guess. But, from experience, Casian knew she’d eventually forgive him. Unless he was misjudging the situation. What did he know? He’d never been in love himself.

He placed a comforting hand on Kalen’s shoulder when it appeared the latter noticed the exchange between the former lovers.

“Since that is settled, shall we go find Lana now and reunite her with Andreas?” Casian asked to the palpable tension in the air. Perfect, he was going to have to play peace keeper the entire time.