Ice swept through Rourke."He can't die."If he died, Rourke would die.
Everyone ignored him.
"How does a witch get blocked from their magic?"Geri directed the question to Ulric.
"I don't know.I asked, and he said a name, and that they could do it, but then he looked like he regretted talking about it, so I didn't push."
"Can we trust what he says?"Farkas crossed his arms over his chest."What if they sent him here to give us the wrong information?The wards might not work at all.Maybe he did it to lull us into a false sense of security."
Rourke looked at Geri.He had an uncanny way of sensing when things were about to go wrong, but he only got a shrug in reply.
"Considering he cut himself over and over, I don't think he did it for shits and giggles.If he wanted to trick us, he could've sprinkled salt or herbs or something along the border, not his blood."
Rourke nodded at Ulric's words."And he smelled of magic."
"But not the same kind we're used to smelling."Ulric held his gaze for a couple of seconds.
"No, maybe it smells differently when they do ward work compared to when they're turning people inside out."
There was a hum and a few nods, then silence descended.
"Ezra said he can't do spell work."
"Meaning?"Geri rubbed his neck.
"I'm not entirely sure, but he said he can't cast a spell or a curse on someone.Then he looked embarrassed and fiddled with the braids.Those damn braids are important.When I asked about them yesterday, he said the more braids you have, the more you've proven yourself to the clan."
Rourke tried not to glare at Ulric, but why was Ezra explaining things to him when it was Rourke who was his mate?
"And the tattoos enhance their power."Ulric kept talking as if he couldn't sense Rourke's eyes on him.Maybe he couldn't."He doesn't have any."
"Why?Doesn't he want to enhance his power?"Rourke would've gotten a tattoo if it had made him stronger.At least he believed he would.
"I got the feeling it wouldn't help him.Something with the lack of spell-casting ability perhaps."
"What does he do then?"Farkas sounded annoyed.
Ulric shrugged."Wards?"
Geri leaned forward and rested his elbows on the table."The more braids they have, the more important they are to the clan.The more piercings and jewelry and tattoos they have, the more powerful they are.Ezra hardly has any.He has two braids, one lip piercing, and his ears.The others are covered in ink and metal.My guess is they've given us their weakest member."
Rourke was inclined to agree, and he was sure it was meant as an insult."I think you're right."
"Don't underestimate him."Annoyance tinged Ulric's voice."He knows things, and I'm pretty sure he'll share.He needs to find his feet here, but I don't think the loyalty to his clan runs deep."
"He might be playing us.When he's back home, all his hair might be in braids, and how fast can they heal piercings?Maybe he was covered in them before he came here."Farkas cracked his knuckles, looking ready to attack something.
Rourke thought back on how Ezra's hands and arms had bled when he washed them in the sink.Had he been a shifter, those cuts would've been if not healed then at least properly scabbed over by then, but Ezra healed slowly."I don't think he'd have the time to heal piercings between us agreeing on a mating and him coming here."
Ulric hummed in agreement."Doesn't heal fast."
"No, he doesn't heal fast."
Farkas raised his lip for half a second, showing off still human teeth, but a clear indication he was agitated."Unless they have a healing spell."
"True.Time will tell."Rourke didn't much care about the piercings other than he was glad Ezra didn't have more.He could live with a lip ring and the ears.It wasn't worse than most humans these days, but he was glad there weren't rings and barbells through every pierceable area of his face.He had no say in the matter, but small blessings.
When no one spoke, Rourke placed a hand on the table."If no one has anything else..."He let it hang in the air, and when no one said anything, he stood."I'll see if Ezra can hook me up to the ward tomorrow.Maybe I can learn more about how it works."
