“Don’t worry, Xav, good things are coming for you. It might not seem like it immediately, but it will work out in the end.”
They parted ways before Melcori’s door with a quick hug and a ‘see you later.’
Xavier took a deep breath before knocking. Melcori’s tendency toward chaos made him almost afraid to find out what his Master wanted.
“Come in.”
He opened the door, peeking in to find Melcori sitting behind his desk and frowning.
“Don’t hover. Close the door behind you.”
Now more worried than when he got the message, Xavier hurriedly obeyed and sat in the visitor’s chair. “You called for me?”
“Yes.”
Xavier tried to sit still as his mentor stared at him. He broke after a minute. “And what can I do for you?”
“You’ve been a good apprentice, Xavier. Far better than I expected when you came to me all those years ago. I think we’re both surprised you survived your childhood.” Melcori smiled.
Xavier obligingly smiled back, even though it wasn’t a laughing matter. Those other mages had been quite intent on killing him to take his spot.
“Thank you, Master.”
“I understand you’re preparing for your final presentation, but I need your help. I’ve made a choice you won’t approve of, but it’s done, and I can't undo it.”
Xavier frowned. He’d helped Melcori with many things he disapproved of during his apprenticeship, but he’d never seen him so hesitant. Before, he just brushed off Xavier’s concerns and told him to do what he was told. This new caution sent warning alarms blaring in his head.
“What do you need help with?”
“I burned down a Grove and kidnapped some dryads. I need you to find a child who went missing. His mother is the priestess in charge and is quite distraught over losing her son.”
Her son?
Xavier waited to see if Melcori had finished his absurd explanation and only spoke when it appeared he had nothing further to add.
“Why did you burn down a Sacred Grove?” He was proud that his voice didn’t reflect all the shock and anger burning him.
“Did you not read your book?” Melcori snapped.
Xavier dug his nails into the palms of his hands. A technique he’d used many times over the years to ground his thoughts and not strangle the man sitting across from him. You could see crescent-shaped scars on his palms if you looked close enough. “You’re going after the gems?”
Melcori grinned. “You always come through in the end, my boy, yes, the gems. I need them.” He abruptly lost his smile. “But we lost track of the leader’s child in the fire.”
“You don’t think he burned?” Xavier’s stomach swirled queasily at the thought of a child burning to death. A dryad would burn even faster.
“His mother is quite certain he’s alive. She can still feel him. We must find him so I can bargain with her.”
“Why would they negotiate with you? You burned down their homes. Can they even grow new trees? Are they old enough?”
Melcori’s eyes took a flinty hue. “Do you think I didn’t do my research?”
“Sorry, Master.” Xavier immediately backed down. He might soon be the youngest Blood Mage ever granted the title, but he wasn’t anywhere near as powerful as the ancient being who mentored him. In a battle between them, he would be no match for Melcori. “I do have a few questions.”
Melcori leaned back in his chair and waited. Xavier took that as permission.
“I wasn’t aware there were male dryads. The book didn’t mention them.”
A wide smile crossed his master’s face. “Good catch. Male dryads are rare. Although there aren’t any laws against growing them, they are forbidden in most Groves. Talula, the Grove’s priestess I mentioned, grew a son. The other dryads weren’t pleased, which led to one of them partnering with me. I get the gems, and she gets to be the leader of the new Grove.”
