The Spell Realm (The Sorcery Code #2)(21)

At Jandison’s signal, she teleported her voting stone into the red box and waited, holding her breath. A few seconds later, the Scales of Justice tipped, the red box lowering under the weight of the stones.

The fate of Blaise’s abomination was sealed.

“It’s done,” Jandison said. “We’ll reconvene to decide what our next move should be.”

The expression on Ganir’s face was frightening in its stillness. Augusta could sense the fury burning within him, but he didn’t say anything to anyone.

Instead, the Council Leader got up and left the room.



*



Exhausted but triumphant, Augusta made her way back to her quarters. Entering her bedroom, she began to disrobe wearily, desperately needing some rest. There was still a lot to be done—spells to be written, plans to be solidified—but right now, Augusta was only capable of collapsing on her bed.

Suddenly, out of the corner of her eye, she caught a flicker of movement. Whirling around in panic, she stared at the dark shadow in the corner, her heart climbing into her throat.

Before she could even begin to chant a protective spell, the figure stood up and stepped into the light.

It was Barson—the man she’d thought she lost.





Chapter 13: Gala





Waking up the next morning, Gala tried to remember her dream, but the specifics of it eluded her. All she could recall was a feeling of curiosity and awe, as though she’d learned something amazing.

Getting up, she became aware that she was alone in the tent—and that she could hear excited chatter outside. Straightening her hair and clothes, she stepped out of the tent, intrigued by the little tidbits she’d managed to overhear.

“Did you say ‘bearwolves?’” she asked, approaching a small group that included Maya, Esther, Blaise, and a few of the hunters.

“Oh, yes, Gala, you will not believe what happened,” Esther exclaimed. “We were attacked last night by these . . . these creatures!”

“What creatures?” Gala stared at them in surprise.

“These wolf-bear hybrids that some sorcerer created a long time ago. They apparently prospered in the Dark Woods,” Maya said, her voice filled with fearful excitement. “From the way the men described them, we are lucky that Blaise was standing watch and heard them before they got to our camp—”

“I’m sure they wouldn’t have attacked such a large camp,” Blaise broke in, looking uncomfortable. “And besides, everyone participated in scaring them off.”

“Yes,” Kostya said, coming up to the group. “But it was your spell that made it possible. And I wouldn’t be too sure that they wouldn’t have attacked the camp. We’ve had interactions with these beasts before, and it’s never ended well. They’re bold, these creatures, and a single animal has been known to kill upwards of five men. With a pack that large, they could’ve destroyed half of our village.”

Blaise still appeared reluctant to take credit for whatever it was that occurred last night. “I’m just glad I could help,” he told Kostya. “And if there is anything I can do to help protect your village from future danger, please let me know. Maybe there are some spells I could implement to keep these beasts away from your settlement.”

“That would be great,” Kostya said, apparently no longer as wary of sorcery. “We would appreciate it.”

Burning with curiosity, Gala looked at the group. “What are these bearwolves?” she asked. “What happened? Please, tell me the whole story.”

And for the next twenty minutes, she listened in shock as the hunters described their nighttime adventures and the inventive way Blaise defended them from the creatures. “Why didn’t you wake me?” she asked Blaise. “Surely I could’ve helped—”

“No.” He shook his head. “You’ve been through enough. I was not about to put you in danger again—not if I could help it.”

Gala stared at him, unsure how she felt about Blaise’s protectiveness. “But you were in danger yourself,” she protested. “You and the rest of the people here—”

“Gala . . .” Blaise stepped closer to her and placed his hands on her shoulders. “I was able to handle it, all right? Please, don’t worry about it. It’s over. Let’s just pack up and get to the village before we have to spend another night here.”

And with that, he lowered his arms and walked off to join the men who were disassembling the tents, leaving Gala frowning after him.



*



It took them several hours to finally reach Alania. If not for the chance meeting with these men, Gala doubted they would have ever stumbled upon these dwellings. The houses were small and hidden among the trees, blending into the landscape so well that they were almost invisible. They were generally made of wood, with roofs that were covered with vines and other types of plants. There were no fields of any kind surrounding the village, and Gala didn’t see any signs of domesticated animals. As Kostya had told them, hunting and gathering fed the village.

When they reached a larger dwelling in the center of the village, Kostya announced that it was his home. “That’s my wife, Liva,” he said, stepping inside and gesturing toward a stocky woman sitting at the kitchen table.