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

Gavin looked up at him. He was of half a mind to pummel him, but that was just his frustration getting to him. “I do, which means we’re someplace we can get some healing. Are you not capable of doing that?”

The sorcerer studied him. “Bring him down here.”

He motioned to a hall leading off the main entrance, and Gavin followed him. The sorcerer opened the door to a large room, as large as Gavin’s sleeping quarters at the Dragon had been. A bed occupied one wall, a row of cabinets another. A washbasin filled with water sat on a table next to the bed. Gavin lowered Gaspar down to the bed.

“Can you tell me what happened?” the sorcerer asked.

“Not really,” Gavin said.

“Why not?”

“Well, because I didn’t see it.” He looked over at Imogen, and she shook her head. “Neither of us did. All I know is that he got injured. And you’re going to fix him.”

“You don’t demand healing from a member of the Sorcerers’ Society.”

Gavin turned to him and unsheathed the El’aras dagger. “I will damn well do what I please. And you will heal my friend. Otherwise, we’re going to see how much your magic can be used on healing you. Unless you don’t want to find out, you’re going to do everything in your power to ensure that he comes through this. Do you understand?”

To the sorcerer’s credit, he flicked his gaze to the blade, but he didn’t flinch. Maybe threatening him wasn’t going to be the most effective strategy. Gavin wasn’t about to negotiate. Not when it came to Gaspar’s life. Not when his blood was on Gavin’s hands. Literally.

“Stand over by the wall,” the sorcerer instructed.

“If you do anything other than try to heal him—”

“I will do all I can. Now, stand off to the side.”

Gavin nodded to Imogen, and they took their place in front of the door. At least this way nobody could jump in and surprise them.

The healer went to work. He held his hands out, running them over Gaspar’s body as he mumbled something under his breath.

“I don’t know what happened back there,” Gavin said. “I don’t even know why they left.”

“It was sudden,” Imogen said quietly. “I was not expecting that, but they finished their attack, and then they just vanished.”

The Toral had made a point of telling him that she had not taken Wrenlow and Olivia. She was after something she thought he had, but she hadn’t killed him when she had the chance.

“Something doesn’t quite fit together,” he said.

“You have been telling us that for a while.”

“All of this…” Gavin shook his head. “I thought it had to do with Tristan and everything he was doing, but I’m no longer certain.”

“This was where you said we were supposed to go,” Imogen said.

“Because that’s where I thought we were supposed to go.”

“And now?”

“And now I don’t know,” he said. “Now I wonder if, perhaps, we were played all along.”

And if they were, why? Until he had better answers, he was going to have to stay here in order to keep Gaspar alive, but then what? Now that they had lost their only lead, Gavin didn’t know if there was anything more that they could do.

He watched the sorcerer as he continued to work on Gaspar.

It was times like these when Gavin wished he had a better understanding of magic and that there was some way for him to know just what they were doing. But he had to rely on the sorcerer to do the right thing.

“Do you think they left us because of what you said?” Imogen asked.

Gavin furrowed his brow. “To be honest, I don’t really even know what happened there or whether there was anything they would have done differently.”

“Differently?” She cocked her head to the side. “I’m not asking about differently. I’m asking whether you think anything was done as the result of what you said.”

Gavin shook his head. “I asked why they took Wrenlow and Olivia. That was it.”

“And they did not?”

“Why are you asking?”

“Because something was odd,” she said.

“Other than the entire attack?” Gavin asked.

“The attack. What happened with Gaspar. And what preceded all of it.”

Gavin frowned. “There was something strange, now that you mention it. When I got inside the home, some men had already been taken out.”

“Taken out?”

Gavin nodded slowly as he thought about what he remembered. “The other attackers were outside, and they started on us as soon as we arrived, but the ones inside…”

They were dead.

“You took care of them?” Imogen asked. Gavin nodded, and Imogen’s eyes tightened. “I am surprised you brought him here.”

“To a sorcerer?”

“To the city.”

“Would the two of you be quiet?” the sorcerer asked.

Gavin glowered at him. Meeting a sorcerer with an arrogant attitude was not surprising. “We’ll be quiet, just as long as you can guarantee you will help him.”

“I’m doing everything in my power to help him. And you must do everything in your power to leave me alone while I’m working. Now, if you don’t mind, I would like a little quiet.”

Gavin grunted, and he leaned against the door. He had no choice but to wait. Imogen watched the sorcerer, and Gavin couldn’t tell whether she was irritated or amused.

Until they had answers, he had to be patient.

He was skilled in many areas. Patience was not one of them.

Chapter Sixteen

The healer had left, and Gavin and Imogen stood on the far side of the room, resting against the counter. As far as Gavin could tell, Gaspar was as well as the healer could make him, breathing regularly, though his eyes were closed. He didn’t even know if the man was conscious.

“We could take him from here,” Imogen said.

Gavin looked over at her. She had her attention focused on the door and appeared as if she wanted to grab her sword and be ready to attack anyone who came inside the healing room. She remained tense, with an edge about her as though she was ready