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

“Where would we go?” he asked.

“Anywhere but here,” she said.

“He’s going to have to ride the stone creature back.”

“And you don’t think he can do that?”

“I’m not sure he will be able to in his current state.”

Until Gaspar recovered fully, Gavin wasn’t sure that there would be any way for him to get back on his feet.

“He could use an enchantment,” she said. “We are in Nelar, after all.”

Gavin nodded. They were, which still surprised him, especially considering that the Toral had mentioned the term “dular.” He hadn’t given enough thought to that word over the years. After the conversation with Zella and hearing the way she had described her views on dular versus enchanters, Gavin started to question whether he should feel differently.

“You know, I don’t know anything about you,” Gavin said to Imogen.

She turned her attention to him, regarding him for a moment before flicking her gaze to Gaspar. “He’s not shared anything with you?”

“Not about you, no. Other than to say he appreciates your discretion.”

She smiled slightly. Even that seemed mysterious. “I suppose he does.”

“You aren’t from Yoran,” Gavin said. He glanced toward the door before turning back to Imogen. “You recognized something about the people who attacked us.”

“Not about all of them. I recognized something about one of the attackers. I have seen her kind before.”

“The Toral?” Gavin asked.

“The one with the black hair.”

“She had some sort of power as well.” Gavin remembered the way the blood had dripped from her hands and the smoke had streamed around her. “What was it?”

“Something that has not been seen in this part of the world in quite some time.”

“A type of magic? Or…”

“Or,” Imogen said.

Gavin grunted. “I was attacked by somebody like you. Back in Yoran, in the warehouse. There was an attack, but…” He shrugged, remembering the way the woman had jumped on him and the speed with which she had moved. “I don’t really know what to make of it. She was quick, strong, and yet she didn’t use a sword the way you do.”

“Then she’s not Leier.”

That’s where she’s from.

Gavin had heard of the Leier, but never known any. They were all fabulous swordsmen—or women. Tristan had made an offhanded comment to him about training with them, but nothing had ever come of it.

“I’ve been wondering why you’re with Gaspar.” He wanted to ask about the man he’d seen her with from Jalash, but that could come later. When he had more answers.

“Gaspar offered his help finding something important to me. That is all.”

“Is it anything I could help with?”

Her brow furrowed, and for a moment, darkness flittered across her eyes. “It’s something I need to do myself. I don’t know if you can understand, but there are things important to my people. Tasks that we take upon ourselves. This is mine.”

Gavin decided not to push, though it didn’t change his curiosity. “If you change your mind, I’m here for you.” He started laughing. “I thought he kept you around to help him pull jobs.”

“There is no need. Gaspar does not require my assistance for his assignments.”

“Assignments? I think Gaspar has jobs, not what I would call assignments.”

“You can call them what you want,” she said.

Gavin smirked, but she just stared at him. Finally, he shrugged. “I suppose, then, that I should thank you for coming along.”

“You can only thank me when this is all over.”

“I would still like to thank you. You didn’t have to come.”

“I find it interesting,” she said. “You’ve brought an intriguing type of power within the city. I must admit that when it first appeared, I did not care for it, but…” She smiled. “I have found myself fascinated by what I’ve experienced.”

“Most people would be terrified by it.”

“I am not most people.”

“No,” Gavin said. “I suppose you are not.”

Imogen watched him and then turned to look at Gaspar. “He is coming awake.”

Gavin glanced toward Gaspar and realized that she was right. He had opened his eyes. Surprising relief swept through Gavin. He really hadn’t wanted to lose Gaspar—not that he’d tell the old man.

“Damn,” Gaspar mumbled.

“What?” Gavin asked. “Did you hope you would die?”

“No. I was hoping I wouldn’t have to see you again.” He looked over to Imogen, his brow furrowing. He cocked his head to the side as he watched her, and Gavin realized that he was tapping on something.

His enchantment.

“You can go ahead and say it,” Gavin said. “Either that, or you can tell me to go so that you can say whatever you want to say.”

“I need to have words with Imogen. Is that what you want me to tell you? It would be nice if you’d give us a few moments,” Gaspar said.

Gavin grunted. “Well, since you asked so nicely, maybe I will.”

He pulled open the door and paused. He hadn’t expected to be left alone inside the Sorcerers’ Society outpost, but here he was. Should he leave the outpost entirely? There were so few sorcerers he had any interest in spending time around. In this case, Gavin believed this sorcerer was helpful, but he worried about what he would end up owing.

He waited in the hallway for a moment. The door next to him opened, and Gavin looked over to see the healer step out into the hall.

The sorcerer frowned at him. “You mentioned Toral.”

Gavin tilted his head to the side, studying him. “Did I?”

“You do not have to deny it. I could hear you.”

“The walls are stone,” Gavin said.

“And I placed an enchantment,” the sorcerer said, shrugging. “Consider me curious as to what happened. Since you decided to intimidate me, I wanted to know.”

Gavin smiled. He couldn’t help but feel a little impressed that the sorcerer was willing to push like that, especially with Gavin’s threat. Few had the stones to threaten a sorcerer, and usually those who did could back it up.

“You know the Toral?” Gavin asked.

She’d mentioned Nelar was her city.

And she was a sorcerer.

This could be her outpost.

Gods, but Gavin hadn’t even considered it before coming here. He’d