Total pages in book: 116
Estimated words: 108376 (not accurate)
Estimated Reading Time in minutes: 542(@200wpm)___ 434(@250wpm)___ 361(@300wpm)
Estimated words: 108376 (not accurate)
Estimated Reading Time in minutes: 542(@200wpm)___ 434(@250wpm)___ 361(@300wpm)
“I can’t go. My parents forbade me.”
“In my experience the wishes of parents are often disobeyed,” he replied, a twinkle in his eye. That was the difference between Roman and your typical grandparent, or well, great-grandparent. He encouraged mischief. Colouring outside the lines. Perhaps his all-knowing sorcerer abilities allowed him to see that I was strong enough for such a journey, while my parents still saw me as their little girl who needed to be protected.
“What’s the weapon?” I asked, intrigued.
“Ah, let me show you.” His hand moved, making magical gestures I’d never seen before. Sorcerer magic was so much more intricate than that of an average warlock. It made me wonder how powerful Peter would be when he eventually ascended, because I knew he would. His talent was too great to remain a mere warlock all his life.
The air began to sparkle and shift, and a moment later Roman held a small, sheathed dagger in his hands. The sheath was plain, and when he removed the dagger it wasn’t silver, gold or bronze coloured. It was black. I reached out to run my fingers over its matte surface.
“What is it made of?”
“A very rare metal known as sepial. It’s found in small quantities close to the Oreylian volcanoes. I presume your…” he trailed off, his eyes wandering to my chest and I grew self-conscious because he could clearly sense Vas’ mark just like Mum and Peter could. “Friend,” he finally continued, “told you about the volcanoes.”
“He did.”
“Well, this metal is highly toxic to demons. One cut and their blood is poisoned. They will die within a few minutes unless an antidote to eradicate the toxin is administered.”
“Are you saying I should use this on Red Armand? Because I’m sure he has protection. There’s no way I’d get close enough to cut him.”
“You never know the opportunities that may arise, my starling,” he said as he handed me the dagger. “Now I presume you’ll also need to learn their tongue. It’s a beautiful language really, so at odds with the hellish nature of their realm.”
“Yes, Carra said she’d teach me as much as she could,” I began before Roman placed his cool palm against my forehead.
“No need. I’ll gift you the language from my mind. I’m almost fluent.”
At this my brain whirled and I grew dizzy as tens of thousands of brand new words filled my head. I grew faint but luckily Roman caught me before I fell. It was like I was seeing brand new colours for the very first time. When he finished gifting me the new language, my strength returned and I managed to stand on my own again.
“That was amazing,” I said and Roman smiled.
“You’re welcome,” he replied and I blinked, realising that I’d just spoken not in English, but Oreylian.
I consciously changed back over to my native tongue. “I can’t believe you can give me the ability to speak another language just like that. It’s incredible,” I breathed.
“The benefits of having me as your great-grandfather. Now, I must visit with your mother. We’re overdue for a catch-up.”
“Wait, um, are you going to tell her about Oreylia?”
“Tell her what? I have no idea of your plans, my starling. All I did was equip you with some things you might need should you ever find yourself in that ghastly place.”
He made to leave but then paused, turning back for a moment. “If you do go, bring the scarf I gave you. There are few people I’d risk breaking my word for, but if you find yourself in the kind of danger you can’t get out of, call on me and I’ll come.”
With those parting words, he left, and I stared into space for a full minute. What he said repeated in my mind. The kind of danger you can’t get out of. I shuddered to think of the sort of situation he might be referring to.
Now that Roman couldn’t save Vas and Sven, the task again rested on my shoulders. After what happened with Peter last night, I was nowhere near the right emotional headspace to be taking up such a mission, but who else was going to do it? Almost three days had passed since Red Armand took them. That meant fifteen days had gone by in Oreylia. The very thought filled me with urgency.
I needed to forge ahead, even with my broken heart. I couldn’t afford to stay in bed and malinger. Not while Vas and Sven were suffering in a place they never would’ve been dragged back to if it weren’t for me unwittingly doing exactly what Red Armand had planned for me.
A little while later I ventured to the spare bedroom where Carra was staying. We needed to get planning this rescue mission and there was no time like the present. I knocked softly on the door but there was no answer. Quietly, I peeked my head in and found her fast asleep in bed.