“Where are you going?” Zev demanded.
“Home,” Elon replied without looking back. “Once I put you on a train in Little Step.”
“We cannot go with you,” Rawn said.
That made the elf stop and fix his amber gaze on him. “Your Maiden is now accompanied by a Guardian. Von will assure her safety.You, however, have put yourself at further risk, which grows with every hour you are here.”
“Regardless, I am bound by oath to protect Lady Dyna. I will not leave until we are reunited with her and my horse.”
Elon’s jaw worked. “You do not have the means to find them.”
“But you do.” Zev crossed his arms. He hadn’t forgotten that spell he cast at the Kazer Cliffs, nor the battle between him and Rawn in WillowsGrove. “You have magic. Cast a tracking spell for us, and we can go our separate ways from here.”
The elf fell silent for a pause. Then he reached into his cloak and drew out a small glass orb that fit comfortably in his palm. On the polished surface appeared a glowing map of the region and a speck of white light that rhythmically pulsed.
“What is that?” Zev asked.
“A locator orb.” Rawn moved closer for a better look. “They are used to hold locator spells on one individual at a time. The pin is moving south. I presume this one is linked to Von?”
“It is,” Elon said.
Zev narrowed his eyes on him. Did he want to know why?
“Thank you,” Rawn said.
“Do not offer your thanks, Lord Norrlen.” Elon tucked the orb away. “I am not here merely because Sylar asked it of me. If you are captured, I will not allow you to reach Red Highland alive.”
They fell silent at the cold statement.
Now Zev saw the real reason he came. To guarantee Rawn would never speak of his family’s existence.
“Attempt it, and you will not return home alive either,” Zev growled, moving to shield Rawn. “You want your family safe, as do I. The sooner we find Dyna, the sooner we leave Dwarf Shoe. So lead the way.”
Elon met his yellow eyes a moment, then mounted his horse. He cantered ahead.
“I don’t trust him, but right now, he is our only damn option.”
“Possibly not our only one.” Rawn mounted Onyx’s saddle. “Lady Lucenna taught me how to cast a location spell during our stay in Skelling Rise. I am unsure if I can locate Lady Dyna past Cassiel’s barrier, but if I can, it will only work if she is on land.”
“Let’s hope she steps off that boat soon.”
Zev stripped away his clothing, and a familiar ache went through his body as he shifted back on four paws. He shook out his fur to rid himself of unease. There was something off in the air. Either it was the constant hum of magic in this province, the lurk of danger hanging over them, or simply because their group had split up again. Something was surely coming their way.
Gods willing, he found Dyna first, before it did.
CHAPTER 30
Lucenna
The stream of magic chased Lucenna through the darkening streets of Oreville. She pressed her back against a brick wall in a dark alley, panting to catch her breath. The charge of energy in the cool air prickled against her skin. She could feel them closing in on her from across the town in every direction. After hiding and battling throughout the day until nightfall, clearly there were too many Enforcers for her to fight them individually. If she was to survive tonight, it would take one last stand.
She had to hit them all at once.
The storm clouds gathered above, rumbling with thunder. Lucenna smiled as her veins hummed with her element. “Yes, that will do perfectly.”
Once the coast was clear, she bolted for another street. Her running steps carried in the quiet, splashing in rain puddles. Reaching the town square, she stopped in front of a flowing fountain. Colorful bulbs of lights glowed from the alleyways as Elite Enforcers surfaced from the dark with their staffs. They had her surrounded on all fronts. Thirty of them this time. By the force of their Essence pressing against hers, they were from all three guilds.
“There she is.”
