the huntress 04 - eternal magic by Linsey Hall Page B

help. “I’m sorry about the Nullifier.”
    The Nullifier had been his friend. Because I’d roped him into helping us save Magic’s Bend, he was dead. I wouldn’t blame Aethelred if he was angry with me. I was angry with me. I could have done a lot of things differently and maybe saved his life.
    “Yes. So am I.” His blue gaze darkened. “I try to take heart in the fact that he chose his path willingly. And he’d lived a long time.”
    Centuries, in fact. The Nullifier’s power also nullified death. Something it was doing for me, but I certainly didn’t want it. To watch my family and friends die around me? No thanks. 
    Trauma could kill me, like it had the Nullifier, but I didn’t want to die in battle or take my own life. I wanted to die an old lady, surrounded by a dozen fat cats wearing sweaters I’d crocheted for them. 
    “True, he did live a long time,” I said.
    “But the bastard who killed him still lives?”
    “Victor Orriodor, yes.” The Monster. No matter how many times I used his real name, I couldn’t help but think of him that way. “But I’ll find him eventually. And kill him.”
    Aethelred’s sharp gaze zeroed in on Aidan. “And you? Have you come to return my transport charms?”
    Aidan and I had borrowed three rare transport charms from Aethelred last week. We’d needed them to help us travel quickly enough to defeat the portal.
    “Unfortunately, no,” Aidan said. “They’ve become even more scarce recently. I have men looking for them, going to each wizard who creates them, but they’ve all been sold to an unknown buyer. But I guarantee I will replace the ones we borrowed as soon as my men find some.”
    “I do hope so.” He stepped back and gestured us in. “You might as well come in and get this over with.”
    He seemed to be in a rush. “Why the hurry? And why haven’t you returned to Magic’s Bend?”
    “You’re dangerous.” He turned and walked into the room. “It’s better for my life expectancy if I’m not around you.”
    “Dangerous?” I followed him.
    The inside of the tree was warm and inviting, all golden wood tones and colorful fabric on the furniture. The space was round, which was fitting for a tree, with a small sitting area, a kitchen, a little table, and a spiral staircase leading up to a loft. Books cluttered the shelves, but it wasn’t nearly as chaotic as Aethelred’s place in Darklane.
    “What do you mean, I’m dangerous?” I asked as Aidan and I took the couch he gestured toward. It sat near a small electric fireplace. Smart, considering we were in a tree. “Not to you.”
    “No, but those who hunt you are dangerous.” He dropped heavily into the chair across from us.
    “They can’t find me. I have a concealment charm.”
    “Do you?” His sharp blue gaze met mine.
    “What do you mean?”
    “Have you felt odd lately? As if someone were watching you?”
    The hair on my arms stood up. “How did you know?”
    “Ever since you came to see me over a week ago, I’ve kept my inner eye on watch for you. I think your concealment charm may be failing. Enemies are circling you. And you don’t have long until you meet.”
    “What?” My breath felt scarce.
    “I can’t see it clearly. But a confrontation is coming.  Someone seeks you to do harm. Their seer will find you soon enough, and then they will come.”
    “They may already have.” The demons in the pyramid. Maybe they hadn’t been guards, but rather scouts sent by Victor when his seer caught sight of me. “Earlier today, some demons appeared. We killed them, but they haven’t come for me since.”
    “As long as you possess the Nullifier’s power, your concealment charm will fail. As his power battles with your own, your concealment charm will go in and out. Perhaps the seer saw you for a moment and sent the demons. Now, he cannot see you.”
    “But he could again.” Worry creased Aidan’s brow.
    “He could. As long as you have the Nullifier’s power, you are at