Scholar of Magic (Art of the Adept #3) - Michael G. Manning Page 0,218

was gone. “Where are the others?”

“Darla’s outside the door again. I don’t think Miss Nerrow is awake yet.”

Will was willing to bet that she was awake, since she’d started sleeping before the rest of them, but he wasn’t about to say that. It was obvious that Laina hadn’t wanted anyone to know she had switched sleeping spots during the night. She was probably having nightmares, not that I can blame her.

He knocked on the door to the bedroom. “Are you dressed?”

Laina pulled it open immediately. “Why wouldn’t I be?”

“It’s just a common courtesy to ask,” he replied, noting the grease on her cheek. “You have some duck stuck to your face.”

She wiped it on her sleeve without the slightest bit of self-consciousness. “Are we about to leave?”

He nodded.

Laina waved at Tiny, then tugged on Will’s shirt. “Can we talk for a moment first?”

“Sure.” He followed her into the room and waited while she shut the door.

“It’s about last night, er, this night—is it dawn yet?” she asked irritably.

“The sun is just coming up.”

Laina walked over and took a seat on the edge of the bed, then stood again, too nervous to remain in one place. “I kept waking up, hoping it had been a nightmare.”

“I’m sorry for putting you to sleep—” he began.

“Honestly, it was a relief. I couldn’t believe what was happening. Those men…”

Will blanched, then looked away.

“I understand what you were trying to do, but it was still almost as bad. I’m glad I didn’t have to do it, but now I feel guilty, because you took the burden on in my place. Again.” She paused and stared at him steadily for several seconds. “You didn’t even hesitate.”

He felt the accusation in her eyes. He was a killer. He’d started with Darrowans in his home village, moved on to killing sentries, then Dennis in a duel—he wasn’t even sure anymore how many occasions he had been forced to kill, though the worst was his memory of sacrificing Arlen Arenata. Looking down, he stared at his feet. It was only natural she would find him disturbing after what she had seen.

Laina’s arm went around his midsection as she hugged him tightly, her cheek against his chest. “Thank you, but don’t do it again. You’ve got enough bad stuff to remember. Don’t add any more because of me again.” She pushed him away and stepped back.

“I can’t promise that.”

“Do it again and I’ll put a knot on your head,” she warned, showing him her fist. Laina smiled for a moment, but then her features darkened again. “How did he do that to me?”

“It’s a long story, but the essence of it is that the graduation seal you received is actually a heart-stone enchantment, except you’re not on the controlling end of it, King Lognion is.” Her face went blank, and Will watched quietly while a variety of realizations passed through her mind. Then he added, “That’s where elementals come from. Someday, when you die, the enchantment will continue to bind your soul, and Lognion or whoever his successor is, will use it to transform you into a new elemental.”

She sat down suddenly, still numb. Rather than bombard her with more, Will stood silent, waiting for the inevitable questions. “That’s why you refused the elementals?”

He gave a single nod. “When I interrupted Selene’s wedding to Count Spry, something similar happened, and she learned the truth. Afterward, she released her elementals and went into hiding, partly so she could relearn magic, and partly to avoid letting her father control her again.”

“She knew he would use her against you.” Her eyes widened. “What did he say after I went to sleep? Did he make you swear to some awful bargain? Is he using me the same way now?”

“No, but I did make a bargain. He offered to free one of you. In exchange, I told him I’d get rid of the vampire problem.”

“That’s ridiculous.” When he didn’t laugh, she grew worried. “You’re serious?”

Will frowned, “Don’t you want to know who I chose?”