Lady of Wolves (Evalyce Worldshaper Book 2) by J. Aislynn d' Merricksson Page B

were stealing from the Khan, hmm?” Grosso smirked at the two magi, then frowned, realizing that the magister wasn't with them.
    Kalla gave a sigh of relief, thankful that he hadn't yet realized that the fox
was
the missing magister. She glanced back over her shoulder to see that several of the hawks had gathered around the ward. Most looked confused, uncertain of how to deal with the confrontation between the magi.
    “We were freeing him from your influence, as you well know. You are an extremely talented Artisan. Certainly you're capable of creating a talisman that would allow you to control Nobunaga. As long as no other magi came snooping around, you were safe enough weren't you?” Kalla asked. Grosso frowned, eyes narrowing.
    “And you think stealing the pendant is going to help?” he asked. Vander laughed, baring sharp canines.
    “No, but destroying it will,” the War Mage said.
    “You can't destroy it. You aren't strong enough,” Grosso replied. Vander grinned, baring his teeth again.
    “You'd like to think that, wouldn't you?” he hissed softly.
    “
We are going to destroy the pendant now. Kalla will shield you, but it's going to get uncomfortably hot for a bit,
” the War Mage's voice sounded in Aleister's mind.
    “You can't. I know how strong you are,” Grosso muttered, but the Artisan was looking less and less sure of himself. He looked beyond the wards, a grin coming over his face upon seeing that the Khan had joined the Harriers.
    Nobunaga looked furious. Behind him, Kalla could see Ari's fretful face and beyond the Seneschal, the Palace guests were gathering. They were attracting all of the attention she'd hoped to avoid.
    “Keep telling yourself that,” Vander said. The War Mage exchanged a look with the Healer and Aleister felt the peculiar tingling of shields being woven around his body. Three or four of them by the feel of it. The packet began to grow warm against his chest and he closed his eyes just as it erupted into bright flame, so hot it glowed purple-white. He heard Grosso howl in pain as the hungry magefire sought more fuel. The mage dropped the fox. He and Kage disappeared with a crack of power and muttered curses. The fire blazed brighter and then, just as suddenly, extinguished itself. Of the jagged spiral there was nothing left but a black scorch on the floor.
    Aleister staggered to his feet and shifted, earning shocked gasps from the gathered crowd, though more attention was turned to where Nobunaga had been. Vander dispelled the wards and Kalla hurried to where she'd last seen him. The Harriers blocked her path, but not before she'd seen him, crumpled on the floor. The Healer gave an exasperated sigh.
    “It was magick that hurt the Khan, and it might be that only magick can save him. Step aside,” Kalla growled.
    The hawks hesitated for a moment, then let her pass, keeping a watchful eye on her. The Healer knelt by the fallen Khan's side. He was soaked in sweat, as if he were in the grip of some terrible fever and though his eyes were open, they were unfocused. Kalla gently touched his forehead, seeking the cause of the problem. As she suspected, it had to do with the destruction of the pendant. Grosso had tied it to the Khan's essence more thoroughly than she'd given him credit for. The magefire that had destroyed the talisman had also raged through the Khan, burning out Grosso's dark magick, but injuring his spirit in doing so.
    The Healer slowly eased her way into his mind, seeking a spark of consciousness to draw back. Memories assaulted her, images of his past. A young boy covered in blood, the body of a huge, maned longtooth at his feet. The same boy, several years later, at the vanguard of a war party. His struggle to become the Khan Arkaddia. The passing of his wife. His refusal to take another. Grosso's coming and the mage's insidious suggestions to make war on the peaceable Rang'moori. The Khan's initial resistance and his unknowing capitulation as the talisman began