Pressure surrounded the entire group. Kiora looked to me for direction. With a brief tilt of my chin, she angled a deadly arrow at the sudden threat before us.
My power drummed to life, pumping through me with every heartbeat, pooling at my feet and palms, invisible to all but very much ready to be commanded.
Soren’s face gave nothing away, remaining unreadable.
Kole, Eislyn, and Iver kept their original stances, waiting to see how things would unfold before making a move. Variations of concern and amusement shone in each of their eyes.
Gregory’s attention shifted between the show of Iver’s conjuring, to me, before ultimately returning to the Lysian. “You intend to bring me harm with the fire you wield?”
Despite the tension, Iver’s jaw moved easily. “It depends on what you intend to do with that blade.”
The guard nodded, as if that answer was enough of one. “I will take you all to Clause. The chances of us running into other guards will be low, but we should all remain ready.” His gaze drifted over all of us as he spoke. “At least a handful of conjurors will surround the Sidhe King. He will probably have one that can whisper long distances, giving commands to Clause’s troops in the field, and one that can foretell the future a few seconds ahead of it actually happening.”
“So he will see us coming?” Iver asked.
The guard nodded, his lips firmly turning down. “Yes, but barely.”
“Still, it is an advantage.” Iver’s hand lowered to his side, the fire disappearing.
Kole asked, “Could you learn something like that?”
Iver’s eyes grew wide. “Not in the span of minutes, unless you intend for us to remain in that room with them for days. Even then, it is doubtful. It seems what Clause told Ariana about some powers coming from a spirit of light and some from the dark is true. I do not feel the gifts that Edda has the same as I can all of yours. It is as though it is an unfamiliar language of conjuring, and I have not figured out how to interpret it.”
Gregory took the conversation back. “There will probably be one other with Clause. She is not a warrior, but incredibly valuable in this situation because of her ability to manipulate emotion. She can influence any enemy within their proximity.”
“Olive?” I asked, surprised that she would be involved, yet it made sense. She was powerful, even influencing my emotional response one night. It happened so effortlessly.
“Yes.” The guard confirmed.
“She can be dangerous,” I said to myself, though Gregory did not miss it.
“She will be. Yet, no one is to harm her. This is my one condition. Subdue her, but once it is all over, she must walk away from all of this with her life.” Firm lips pressed together, eyes hardening, leaving no room for discussion.
“I would never want to bring her any harm,” I said. Olive was always kind to me, and spirited. This war was not her doing, and I did not want someone like her to pay a price with her life.
Gregory’s gaze rested on me, observing. “I believe you.” He then looked at the rest of the group. “But can the rest of you promise the same?”
“Who is she to you?” Iver asked, head tilting to the side.
The guard stiffened with the question. “My heart,” he finally answered.
“And you can stand against your heart today?” Iver pressed.
“Olive has always known where I would stand if something like this came to pass.”
Iver squinted at him a moment before nodding. “I believe him.”
Kole released a deep sigh. “You think you know everything.”
A smile split Iver’s face. “That is because I do, my friend. Why, just look at you and Eislyn now.”
Eislyn snorted. “You dare to make such claims? As though we are a product of your involvement.”
Iver glanced at me and winked. “Not only my involvement.”
Kiora shoved Iver to the side. “Can you get it together? This is not the time for this.”
Iver’s smile faltered. “The next breath is not promised to any of us, little Sparrow. The Spirits may take us at any moment. So, I choose to enjoy as many of these opportunities as I can.”
