as he encircles his arms around her, holding her tight.
“No, I’m sorry, Jayne.” He sounds genuinely distressed, and as I watch the two of them, I realise she’s like a mother to him too.
“I thought we’d lost her.” Her voice is muffled from where she’s pressed against Grayson, her face buried in his robes. “He threatened to kill me if Clarissa didn’t go with him. Of course I told her not to, but she didn’t listen.” Her face appears over Grayson’s shoulder as she says this last part, shooting a glare at me.
Grayson stills and, for a second, I worry he will slip into euisa, but he seems to calm himself, his anger simmering. I’m surprised he’s been able to control it, considering he went into euisa over something similar before. I’ll have to remember to ask him at another time how he’s keeping it under control, but with the other magicians here, and more important questions to answer, now is not the time.
After a few minutes, Jayne takes a deep breath and steps away from Grayson, pointing a finger at him. “You owe me an explanation, but right now, we need tea.” She leaves the room and a low chuckle fills the space, the older mage smiling wryly at Grayson.
“I can see why you like to stay here now,” one of the magicians comments, but I don’t turn to see who it is.
Grayson smiles and gestures for us to head into the sitting room, which is more comfortable and has enough seats for us all. Immediately, I walk up to the snug armchair that takes up the back corner. I adopted this as my spot when Grayson first brought me here, and don’t think to offer it to one of the other guests. There is a long couch opposite the large fireplace, along with several other single chairs. The others look around as they file in, Grayson taking his chair across from me. The younger mage, who has been completely silent, is still staring at me.
“How are you alive?” he finally blurts out, ending his silence.
“Ellis,” the older mage admonishes with a disapproving tone.
“I would also like to know this, Merrin,” the quiet, disapproving mage adds, his voice tight as he turns his attention to me. I immediately decide we’re not going to get along. He’s exactly what I would expect of our brutal warriors who fight for us on the battle front, both in looks and attitude. I wonder how Grayson managed to pull them away when they are so desperately needed. “You should be dead from that level of magic, but you are not.” He tilts his head as he speaks, and I get the image in my mind of a snake watching its prey, coiled up and ready to strike.
Merrin sighs as he leans towards me with an apologetic smile on his face. “He is right, my dear. Do you know what happened?”
“What are you?” the viper snaps. His voice is sharp as he leans towards me, and if Grayson hadn’t jumped up from his seat and strode over me, acting as a shield between us, I’m not quite sure what would have happened.
“Pierre!” he barks at the snakelike mage, who simply sits back in his seat, seemingly unperturbed.
“Be careful what you say, Pierre,” Merrin responds sagely, his attention flicking between the two of us.
“She is Goddess blessed, remember?” Ellis murmurs quietly, his eyes wide as he watches me. The room falls silent as all their gazes land on Grayson and me, who’s still standing protectively in front of me.
Merrin shifts in his chair, smiling at me before turning to Grayson, his expression becoming more serious. “Grayson, we will behave ourselves.” He throws a quick, warning look at Pierre. “She is safe with us,” he promises, and I get the sense he is telling the truth. He means every word he says. Trust is hard-earned with me, but I’ve never felt so compelled to trust someone, especially not after first meeting them. Grayson nods his head and returns to his chair before addressing me.
“Clarissa, meet the high magicians. Pierre, Ellis, and Merrin.” He gestures to each one in turn. “Merrin is gifted with truth, which helped him gain his position. He can only speak the truth and knows when others are lying,” he informs me, and something in my gut twists as I meet the older magician’s gaze. I would have to be careful when talking to him.
“It’s okay, he knows everything,” Grayson reassures me, as