The book widened, and a mirage of Iky appeared. Shapeless and tall, he hovered in place, hieroglyphs bleeding to life around him. She dragged her fingers across the symbols, and they transitioned to a floating script we could read. Kost leaned forward, and sparkling words about Iky’s powers reflected off his glasses.
Alters its constitution to suit its master’s needs.
The beast she’d questioned me about over dinner. I forced my face to remain impassive. That evening had come and gone. I needed to put the memory out of my mind. Not endlessly ponder the way she’d used knowledge to her advantage. Cunning as well as brave and bold.
“All Charmers have a bestiary that fills each time they capture a new beast. If you have anything in mind, I can search through the pages and let you read the specifics for yourself.” The script disappeared along with the image of Iky as she mindlessly flipped a few pages.
Read for ourselves? My fingers itched to run the length of the pages. I wanted to sidle up to her, examine the passages she shared, and store that information away. I could withstand her tantalizing scent for a minute, maybe more. Ignore the power of her gaze.
“Any beasts that could improve my chances with women?” Calem stood, inching closer to Leena. His comment brought me back, and I stiffened. Distance was always better.
“You sure you need that?” She paused, and a new image sparked to life in the space above her book. A small, genie-like creature with a wispy tail and mischievous eyes glittered against the navy night. No bigger than a mug, and yet the devilish grin spoke volumes about her power.
And so did the floating text surrounding her mirage.
Ability to grant one wish every six months. No limitations, so long as payment is met.
No limitations. The text pulsed with implications. This was the beast. The one drunken men longed for when their ales and fortunes ran dry. An answer to my curse. I had resigned to living a life full of distance and detachment. But there was always the chance I could slip up. All it took was a glimmer of longing. A display of too-honest affection. If anyone reciprocated in any way, they would die. Painfully. I’d continue to build a barricade around me if it meant keeping those I cared about safe. That was fine. But if there was a possibility of changing that, of preventing myself from accidentally killing another loved one again… “Tell me about this beast.”
Leena turned, dragging her gaze away from Calem’s grin to examine the floating text. Her right eye twitched. “You don’t want a Gyss. The payments for wishes aren’t worth the cost of receiving them. Plus, it’s a C-Class beast. Doesn’t meet the terms of our agreement.”
“Could I wish for more success with women?” Calem’s flirtatious grin eased the sudden stiffness in Leena’s posture. “Or perhaps just success with you?”
Leena rolled her eyes. “For payment, the Gyss would probably ask for your cock on a silver platter. You ready to part with that?”
Calem’s face blanched. “No.”
“Sounds like you know the pros and cons of each beast best.” Kost spoke to Leena without ever meeting her gaze. Instead, he studied me with measured levels of concern and frustration, turning blades of grass to green pulp between his forefinger and thumb.
“Agreed.” Ozias stretched toward the sky. “I’ll leave it to you, Leena. I’m not much of a reader. I’d rather see a beast in person and judge from there.”
“Oh, I like that idea. How about it, Leena?” Calem bounced on the balls of his feet.
She touched her middle finger to her pendant again, and the book disappeared. The afterimage of the Gyss seared the night air. I could still picture the creature’s grin, the way her eyes burned with a magic I’d yet to test.
Leena tilted her head to the side. “What do you mean? There aren’t any beasts in the area right now.” She gestured to the chirping woods and wide-open meadow.
Calem’s grin widened. “I have an idea.”
Brow furrowing, she stood before him. “I’m listening.”
“Let’s have a little sparring match. But you can’t use any beasts we’ve already seen.”
“A sparring match? It’s been ages since…” She trailed off, and then placed both hands on her hips. “Any other rules?”
A growl caught in my throat. This had bad idea written all over it. If Calem lost control and hurt Leena, we’d be down a Charmer—and this Gyss I needed to