“Specs is spot-on.” Rowan glanced around the clearing. “Not many people are allowed here. It’s sort of sacred ground.”
Callum looked at the grass beneath his feet, and I laughed. He was too cute.
“It can’t be too sacred if you’re allowed here, thief,” Maddox said.
Rowan rolled his eyes. “The Order of Magi oversees this area. The Tower lies beyond it.”
“Order of Magi?” I asked. “Is that the king’s unit of mages?”
“Yes,” Briar answered. “The mages specialize in combat-related magic and use gems to create powerful amulets, staffs, and rings that aid in their spell work. Many of those gems come from Exalos.”
“Exalos. The city of shiny things.” I did another sweep of the field. Something near the weeping willow caught my eye. A dark figure stood at least seven feet tall. Eeriness seeped into my bones the longer I stared. I got the feeling they were staring right back at me. “Um. Who’s that?”
“The Guardian of the Willow.” Rowan grabbed my wrist and continued forward.
“Oh my. Is it really?” Curiosity rang in Briar’s tone. “How extraordinary.”
“What do they do?” I asked. “Guard the tree?”
“Among other things.” Briar turned his head as we walked to keep looking at them. “The willow is the center of arcane energy and the source of power for the mages. For all magic wielders, really. All the rivers of mana tunneling beneath us meet at that point. The Guardian is charged with protecting the tree and striking down anyone who ventures too close.”
“And here you are, trying to be their next victim by letting your curious nature get the better of you.” Maddox grabbed the back of Briar’s shirt and tugged him along with us. “Come on, physician.”
“You brute.” Briar scoffed. “I was merely looking.”
As we reached the trees on the other side of the field, I glanced back at the willow. The Guardian had turned to watch us leave. No face I could see; just a black mass. “Well, that’s not terrifying at all.”
“Maybe they want a muffin,” Callum said.
I snorted a laugh.
The next section of woods was less dense than earlier, allowing us to pass through with ease. A minute or so later, we came to a tall stone structure. Vines curved up the sides, and it rose so high I couldn’t even see the top.
“So the Tower is… a literal tower. Cool.” I craned my neck to peer up at it. Red symbols glowed on several of the stones. “What are those?”
“Protective warding,” Rowan answered. “It’s why Reign suggested bringing you here. With those? No one can enter uninvited, even if they have teleportation magic. I can’t even get in with my shadows.”
The wooden door at the bottom creaked open. Sounded like the entrance to an old crypt.
“Welcome to our humble abode,” Reign said from the other side. “The demi-wolf can join us now as well. It’s safe here.”
“Thank you.” I turned toward the surrounding darkness, searching for my wolf. “Lake?”
There was a glimmer of silver hair before he stepped from the trees, his fluffy ears lowered and shoulders tense. Meeting new people made him anxious.
“Come on, pup.” Rowan neared him and bumped Lake’s arm with his fist. “If any of them bite, you can bite them back.”
Lake responded by whacking Rowan with his tail. But his tense shoulders relaxed, and as they made their way toward us, I caught him smiling. Our redhead’s presence visibly put him at ease.
My chin wobbled. My sweet men.
We then followed Reign inside the Tower.
The ground level was bigger than I’d expected, though it left a lot to be desired, holding the bare minimum in terms of seating and comforts of home. Humble indeed. And in dire need of a good scrubbing. Cobwebs dangled in the corners, dust covered the shelves and cabinets, and a musky stench lingered in the air. A narrow stone staircase rose to the far right, curving up out of sight.
“It’s… nice?”
“He says with a questioning tone,” Rowan said, amused. “Tell us how you really feel, little treasure.”
