The Stone Wolf (The Chain Breaker Book 4) by D.K. Holmberg (digital book reader TXT) 📕

“I don’t mind that,” Gavin said, picking at the beets and meat on his plate. “It’s more that I suspect the next time I come in here with you, she’s going to spit in my food.”

“Rebecca wouldn’t do that. She knows I’m only kidding. Jessica helped her get set up. There have been a couple like her. All weak enchanters, you know.”

Gavin hadn’t known. Had his mind been clearer, he might have seen signs of that himself. “You could have told me sooner.”

Wrenlow shrugged. “Doesn’t really matter. Zella asked for help; Jessica offered it. There are others throughout the city doing the same. It’s a different place for them now. They don’t fear using their magic, regardless of how strong—or weak,” he said, glancing to the kitchen, “it might be.” Wrenlow dove into his food. “Anyway, why are you so convinced this was Tristan?”

Gavin tore his gaze away from Rebecca. A minor enchanter.

How many had decided to reveal what they could do now—because of him?

He should feel pride, but it was difficult to do so with everything they’d encountered. The enchanters still had the general attitude about magic to deal with. Most within the city didn’t want to know about magic. Most wanted to know they were safe.

Gavin sighed. He couldn’t fix that. He could only give them a chance.

“Gavin?” Wrenlow asked.

“Sorry. You were asking about Tristan. I knew it was him because I saw him standing near the back of the warehouse, watching.”

“He didn’t get involved?”

Gavin picked at his food, taking a bite and chewing slowly. “He didn’t get involved.”

“Why would he watch?”

Gavin took a drink of the ale and shook his head. “This is Tristan. He does things certain ways.”

“Even when he pits himself against you?”

“It’s a test, like everything is with him. Even when we fight, there’s still an element of that within it. I think, in his mind, he’s looking for weaknesses.”

“He trained you,” Wrenlow said. “He’d know your weaknesses. Sort of like how you know mine.”

“When it comes to fighting, yes,” Gavin said in between bites, “but I’m not sure I would be able to list all of your other weaknesses.”

“So this wasn’t a test of your fighting style?”

Gavin wasn’t sure. “He would’ve known that the fighting style was challenging for me.”

“I didn’t realize any fighting style challenged you.”

“Most of them don’t. There are a few that I never fully mastered.” It wasn’t an easy thing for Gavin to admit, even to a friend.

“So he sent a couple of people at you with a fighting style you aren’t fully equipped to handle?”

“Is eight a couple?”

“There were eight there?”

Gavin nodded. “And he made sure I couldn’t use the enchantment.”

Wrenlow whistled, then took a drink of ale. “That’s a shitty thing for him to have done.”

“It might be shitty, but it’s definitely the kind of thing he would do.”

“But you passed?”

“Maybe,” Gavin said, chewing slowly and staring at the mug of ale. He couldn’t get past the idea that there was something more to this. Maybe it wasn’t just a test. At least, maybe it wasn’t the one he thought it was.

“Did you practice the style after leaving him?” Wrenlow asked.

“I practice all the styles,” Gavin said.

“Even the ones you struggle with?”

Gavin set his hands on the table. “What are you getting at?”

“Well, if you’re going to be tested by Tristan, do you think you should start to anticipate what more he might do with you?”

“I’m not sure there’s anything more. He tried to find where I’m the weakest.”

“So your fighting style is where you’re the weakest.”

“The Bongan style was never one that I fully mastered. Tristan would know that, which is why I’m going to have to keep working.”

“I can help you,” Wrenlow said.

Gavin forced a smile at him. “That would be great.”

“I might need to borrow some enchantments to do it more effectively.” Wrenlow chuckled. “I suspect that with enough enchantments, I should be able to pose even more of a threat to you.”

Gavin held his friend’s gaze. “You did well tonight. I’m glad the enchantments held out. That’s why I’ve cautioned you not to depend on them.”

“You know I’m not,” Wrenlow said. “But I also need to practice with them, especially since there aren’t going to be too many times when I’m not going to have my enchantments. Olivia makes sure I have all the ones I need.”

Gavin took another sip of ale. “What happens if we face somebody like we did tonight? Somebody with the ability to suppress those enchantments?”

“I…”

“Exactly,” Gavin said. “I want to keep you safe as possible.”

“You’d just keep me on the fringes again.”

“Are you on the fringes, or are you doing critical work for us?”

Wrenlow shrugged. “I suspect you’d tell me it’s critical work.”

“More than you know.” Gavin finished eating and took a deep breath, leaning back. “Why don’t you get some rest?”

“I’m supposed to meet Olivia tonight.” Wrenlow slipped out of the booth, then stood at the edge of the table. “I appreciate that you came after me.” Something about his demeanor had changed, and he flashed a smile at Gavin. “You didn’t have to. I would’ve gotten out of there.”

Gavin wasn’t as sure. The attack had drawn both of them in.

“Of course I was going to go after you.”

“I saw that look in your eyes, though,” Wrenlow said. “One I don’t know that I’ve ever seen before.”

Gavin leaned back in the booth, and he closed his eyes for a moment. “I try not to go to that place very often,” he said softly. “It’s a place I was taught to go to. Tristan wanted to know if I still could, I suspect.”

“So that was part of what he was after?”

“I don’t know,” Gavin said. “When it comes to him, I really don’t know.”

“Why doesn’t he just come after you directly? If this is something he needs, why wait?”

“I suspect he’s after something still. Maybe he wants the semarrl, or maybe it’s something else.” Gavin hadn’t managed to figure out that part of Tristan’s plan yet. Gavin