Silke smiled back at him. “Thank you. The doctor was very firm about Fenja not being around anyone. Her immune system is too fragile at the moment, but I appreciate the offer.”
“I thought you were a healer. That’s the word in the village.”
Silke gave a small wave of her hand, dismissing the idea. “I have some knowledge of healing. How could I not when I was raised by Fenja? She’s always been amazing, and I went with her on every call from the time I was a toddler. I don’t have her natural ability, but I picked up a great deal of technique. I also have an extensive knowledge of plants and medicine, thanks to her.”
He gave her another friendly smile as he walked toward her. “You’re adopted?”
Don’t let him get close enough to put his hands on you,Benedek cautioned.
Silke began to walk toward the front porch. “Fenja never married or had children. She adopted me just after I was born.” She glanced at him as she made her way up the stone path between the beds of flowers and shrubs. The leaves on the plants rustled and quivered, radiating alarms, warning her to be careful.
He doesn’t even notice the plants’ reactions to him,she told Benedek.
Benedek caught sight of masses of dragon lilies lying in a long row on an outside bed. They hadn’t been there before. In the forest, there had been rows of dragon lilies. He knew she used the long petals to wrap the crystal sword in, but how had the flowers suddenly appeared at her home?
Do you have something to tell me?he prompted.
That’s Lily. My dragon. She must have felt my distress. I have no idea when she joined us. She’s silent and stealthy. And very, very lethal.
The flowers looked like ordinary dragon lilies in various stages of growth. Now Benedek knew better. He had known there were mythical creatures in that ancient forest. He could feel them. He was very tuned to the ancient trees. It didn’t surprise him that Silke had a dragon, but it was shocking that he hadn’t spotted her. He saw those flowers, but it never occurred to him a dragon hid herself in plain sight. The mage was in far more trouble than he knew. If he made one move against Silke, there was Benedek and Lily, her dragon, ready to rid her and the world of the threat.
Drakos is concentrating solely on you, that’s why he hasn’t noticed any changes in the plants. You’re human. He doesn’t understand how you can resist a compulsion, especially a strong, practiced one. Even knowing you aren’t succumbing to his compulsion or voice, he still feels safe and in control. That’s sheer ego and not very intelligent. Never underestimate your enemy.
Her laughter once again slid through his mind.I’m his prey, Benedek, not his enemy. I’m not worthy of being deemed an enemy. He is so certain he can outsmart me.
Or use his magic against you.
I was born with protections against the dark arts.
Unfortunately, when he can’t manipulate you, he’ll know you’re the slayer,Benedek warned.
I want him to get to that conclusion. He isn’t going to come back here and harass Fenja.
Benedek went very still. She was deliberately challenging the mage. She knew it would end up in a battle.
O jelä sielamak.He called her “light of my soul” because to him, she was. Have you thought this through? He is mage. Have you battled a mage before or have any knowledge of how to defeat one? And if he disappears, what will the demon do? The demon believes the mage is for his use. He’ll track the dark arts straight to your home. There is always a path left behind.
I didn’t know that, but in the end, it will make my job so much easier. Castello will come here seeking to find answers. I must confront him and slay him before he manages to enslave any of the villagers. They have shields, but it’s possible he could wear them down.
“Sit out here on your verandah and talk to me. I have many questions for you. The answers will be important to us both,” Drakos cajoled. He gave her a winning smile.
He thinks he’s utterly charming and irresistible,she informed Benedek with obvious disgust.He thinks he’ll get answers from me, but I intend to get them from him.
This is dangerous.
Not really. I have you.
Silke spoke with utter confidence, and a strange feeling of triumph swept through him. He hadn’t earned her entire trust yet, but she believed he would keep her safe. He was all too familiar with mages and their ability to take over a situation in a flash. Silke didn’t have those experiences to draw on, so she was counting on him.
If we’re going to do this, you do what I tell you.
Silke flashed the mage a smile and gestured toward the gliders. The two chairs were facing the rings of flower beds. She took the chair Fenja always sat in, forcing him to sit in her glider.
If he can pick up any information, better not to have him know anything about my mother.
“You have a beautiful home. It’s very unique,” Drakos said as he sank into the comfort of the glider. “The stone has strange properties.”
“Yes,” Silke agreed, giving him an opening. She widened her eyes, looking innocent. Guileless. She even leaned toward the mage as if anxious to talk about her rare home. “Do you feel that, too? I thought I was the only one. I’ve conducted experiments on the stone they built the house with and even the stone walkways and stairs. I started when I was a child and noticed outside sound did not penetrate into the house.”
