The Secret of Spellshadow Manor 6 by Bella Forrest (books for men to read .TXT) 📕

In order to attempt the spell again, they needed Julius’s blood, and the only way to get that was from the man himself. Alex wasn’t an idiot—he knew he could never overcome someone as powerful as Julius, not unless he wanted to become a pile of goop on the floor. Nor did he think he could get close enough to steal some, which would undoubtedly have the same result, as Elias had implied. No, the only way to get the blood in a large enough quantity was to do something even more stupid, perhaps—he would have to negotiate with Julius, for as much as he dared.

Elias had said that Julius was the kind of man who did things on his own terms. Even if Julius and Alex called a truce while the spell was performed, Alex knew that when the dust had settled and the Great Evil was gone, the king would likely continue the removal of essence for his own sick pleasure, or to see how else it could benefit his relentless desire for power. The outcome would be the same if they stole the blood. Julius wouldn’t care, as long as the mist was purged. But, if Alex negotiated terms and garnered the release of all the students in return for the removal of the Great Evil, they might know true freedom. The dwindling number of magical babies would no longer matter, nor would the threat of death continue to loom over the mage world. That, surely, was tempting for anyone… even Julius.

Chapter 8

After watching Ceres and Hadrian ride away, Alex felt a sense of trepidation. Maybe I was too hasty, he thought, but it wasn’t important now. The deed was done. He planned to go to the portal as dawn was rising each morning, to check for any messages, though the trek there would undoubtedly be a long one. He just hoped he could sneak away without anyone noticing him.

Just then, a figure burst through the crowd, bounding toward Alex. The red hair was unmistakable.

“Alex!” Demeter cried. “While the cat’s away, the rats will hide!” he added, though Alex wasn’t sure what that was supposed to mean. Still, it brought a smile to his face.

“Demeter,” Alex replied, greeting the ex-teacher warmly. “I was wondering where you’d gotten to.”

“Indeed, I heard some strangers had arrived, and I knew it could only be you guys. I was up at the farm, helping out.”

“There’s a farm?” Alex asked, incredulous.

“Oh yes, they have everything here—it’s quite the operation. My Ceres is one hell of a woman.” He sighed, flashing Alex a borderline inappropriate wink.

Alex laughed. “She really is a firecracker.”

“Venus is still locked away. I’ve made sure of it,” Demeter said.

“Yeah, I’ve just gone to see her.” Alex paused. “Well, not her exactly. Virgil is here too. I had a few questions for him. The spell failed.”

Demeter’s expression suddenly became somber. “Where are the others?”

“They’re all okay,” Alex assured him. “We’ve been given two tents to stay in, up at the back of the camp. I was just heading back there, if you want to join me?”

“Delighted to!” Demeter grinned, before following Alex through the camp. The crowd that had gathered to see Hadrian’s arrival had dispersed somewhat, but a few eyes still followed the pair as they made their way through, Alex deliberately keeping his head down so as not to draw too much attention.

The group of five was sitting outside in front of a fire, where a pot of something delicious smelling was boiling. Alex’s stomach rumbled for the first time in a long while. With so much going on, he’d pretty much forgotten about such luxuries as eating a good meal.

The group turned, their discussion halted, but when they saw who was with Alex, their faces morphed into expressions of sheer joy. It was a feeling Alex shared; it was always good to see Demeter, who brought his unique brand of calm happiness to any room. Though Alex knew that the auburn-haired man was capable of mood-changing magic, he was never quite sure if it was his special skill or just the ex-teacher himself that made everyone feel at ease.

After greetings had been made, and Demeter had caught up with the events that had led them all here, they sat down to the meal Aamir had prepared. Alex had never known it before, but the older boy was an exceptional cook, and had apparently raided the camp spice store in order to cook the evening’s dinner.

“Is there chicken in this?” Alex asked.

Aamir shrugged. “Don’t think so. I asked for a bunch of raw, mostly vegetable ingredients for this stew, but they came pre-chopped and mixed up together. Looks like some kind of poultry, though, doesn’t it?”

Alex had a sudden urge to go and check on Storm.

“I’d say this was anything but a poultry meal!” Demeter joked, which made the whole group laugh. The joke itself was terrible, but the laughter was a beautiful, treasured sound, which Alex had forgotten could even exist. There had been so much seriousness that it seemed they’d all held off on joy. But now, here at Starcross Pond, where everything felt just that little bit safer, it seemed like the right time to rediscover some levity.

After eating the delicious food, which had been bulked up by a fresh green salad that Ellabell had prepared from the camp allotments, and some soft, salty sweet potatoes that Natalie had been roasting under the coals of the fire, they lay back and looked up at the stars beginning to dot the early night’s sky. They twinkled in the hazy dark blue, and, just for a moment, Alex almost believed he was on a camping trip somewhere with his friends, far away from any of this. It was a nice feeling, ruined only by the knowledge of what he had arranged with Hadrian. Tomorrow morning, he would have to go to the portal and see if the nervous royal had done as he’d asked. In