Fortune Favors the Cruel - Kel Carpenter Page 0,87

moment before nodding.

“It would make sense,” he began. “The Servalis stone is intended to absorb all magic before returning it to its holder the same as it was before. A Maji’s magic is as vital to them as air or water. To be stripped of it would mean death, and so if the snake was drawn into that before it was put inside her, I suspect they have become something that … if not new, then something that has not been seen in this world for a long, long time.”

Draeven stepped up then and asked, “And if the snake dies—what would become of Quinn?” He turned to look between Lazarus and Thorne, but they both shook their heads in answer.

“There’s no way to know for certain without killing it, but she would likely die too,” Thorne answered slowly. Draeven’s eyes flashed from a violet hue to maroon, but he continued. “Everything has a price, young rage thief.” He tilted his head towards Lazarus’ second-in-command and Draeven clenched his jaw. He didn’t like anyone mentioning who or what he was, for any reason. “She stole a piece of magic that wasn’t hers to behold and nature finds a way to balance that. Fortunately for you both, basilisks are one of the hardest creatures in this realm to kill due to their natural resistance to magical forces.” Draeven didn’t say anything, but the glare he shot Lazarus made it very clear that the coming conversation would not be pleasant, even if he wouldn’t say so in front of Thorne.

Lazarus pulled the Servalis stone from the satchel hanging at his side. The clear-cut stone that was once smooth had grown into jagged points with tips sharp enough to cut through skin. Lazarus lifted it to the light, and the stray rays of sun caught it just right, throwing off a series of smaller beams of light around the room.

“Do you know what to make of this?” he asked. Thorne stood from his throne and stepped forward to examine the crystal from every angle.

Silence filled the room for several moments when he finally stopped and returned to his throne without a word. There was a grimace to his face, his lips set in a line. “The kind of power that girl holds is immeasurable. There are only rumors of this happening to the stone. Stories … or so I had believed. I’ve heard tales of Maji from Cisea that went through the process and the stone itself changed as it did with her … and after all I’ve seen now, I know better than to dismiss those legends.” Lazarus couldn’t help the prickle of unease that went through him, followed by a shiver of delight. He knew that day he saw her in the market she would be something to behold, but he was not prepared for the conflicted emotions that ran through him which he couldn’t—wouldn’t—understand.

“She may be a fear twister, but whatever happened in that spring has made her more and it won’t be long before my people take notice. Her hair has already changed, and if my suspicions are correct, her powers may grow more volatile after this. She’s going to need guidance if you don’t wish to lose her to the darkness, Lazarus. Otherwise, she’ll begin to walk paths not even you or I would dream of.” Lazarus tucked the stone away again while Thorne spoke, confirming all of his suspicions and more.

“Quinn has always been volatile,” Lazarus said slowly. “The key to her is not restraining that power but learning how to redirect it so that it doesn’t destroy her or anything I don’t want it to.” Draeven shook his head and Thorne’s jaw tightened. Neither of them cared for his methods, but that was not his concern. That was why they weren’t the ones who had signed a blood contract with her.

“Regardless of how you choose to handle her, I’m going to have to ask that you and your party leave soon. The girl’s changes are going to draw unwanted attention towards me and those allowances I’ve given you. While my people seem to be quite fond of her, that might not be the case if they realized what you’ve done.” Lazarus tilted his head forward, his chin dipping.

“That won’t be a problem,” he said.

“Good,” Thorne replied, holding up a hand for Lazarus to pause when he turned to leave. “The other reason you might want to get moving sooner rather than later is that my men found