Page 19 of The Starlight Savior

He had said he was in Denholm for a job. Maybe Saige was that job. It would explain how the storm-wielders had known her name.

Saige recoiled as he took a step forward. “Get away from me.” Her voice cracked, revealing the fear and confusion coming forth.

He held up his hands, bright eyes widening. “Please let me explain before you bite my head off.”

“Explain?” Saige hissed. “You have me shackled to this bed, and you want to explain?”

“It’s not my choice to have you bound like an animal.” His words were slow and considerate. “But if you let me speak, I’d be happy to take the chains off.”

“You hunted me down like one, did you not?”

The man ignored her question, taking another step forward. “May I?” He pointed towards the edge of the bed.

Saige looked away. What choice did she have? There were so many questions drifting through her head, but perhaps he was the one with potential answers.

“Fine,” she finally said, despite flinching back.

The bed shifted as he sat beside her. She closed her eyes, waiting for him to speak. The weight of their interaction still left Saige feeling breathless. She swallowed, her throat dry, the weight of it all pressing down until she could hardly think straight.

The warlock broke the thick silence. “I’m sure you have many questions.”

“I do.” Saige attempted to keep her voice level. “And I expect you to answer them.”

“I’ll answer what I can.”

“Do I not have all the time in Opela right now?” she asked bitterly with a judder of her chains.

The man laughed, shaking his head as if he was amused by her captivity. “Why don’t we start simple, like with names.”

She shook her head. “You already know mine. I want to know why I’m here. Why’d you come all the way to Denholm to find me?”

“I’m Conor Zathos” He smiled, ignoring the question. The small dimple on his cheek revealed itself.

Saige cocked her head. The name…it sounded so familiar. Where had she heard it from?

“You’ve met my father and mother,” Conor said, seeing the question forming.

The witch who had spoken to her…she had been called Lady Zathos. “Your mother…she…” Saige didn’t know what to call her. There weren’t many high ranking women in the Brevillian armies.

“My father is the General of the Etrane Army. My mother is second-in-command. They make quite a good team as I’m sure you saw. Really balances one another out.”

“And you’re just a warlock?” Saige still wasn’t sure if he had been there when Judith was captured. Most of them had worn their helmets. Looking at him, she searched for any familiar indicator, but came up empty.

Conor’s face contorted. “That’s right. Just a warlock.” He grinned as he held out his hand towards hers. “It’s a pleasure to officially meet you.”

Saige let Conor’s hand hang in the air. “Where am I?”

“Athalos, the capital of Etrane, specifically in the castle. Most of Etrane’s royalty and army live here, as well as any magic-wielders who need sanctuary or training.” His words were quick and rehearsed. “It’s the safest place for you to be right now.”

Saige searched her mind for where Athalos could be, yet she didn’t know if she had ever truly memorized a full map of Opela. “Why am I here?” she demanded. “Your mother claimed I’m an asset, but how?”

“You know of the mist?”

“Of course, it’s all anyone talks about now.”

“Wielders have been working on finding a cure for the mist for eighty years. Most of Tiranos has been overtaken, half of Etrane. It’s pushing against Brevil and soon will reach Nasala. What will happen when Opela ceases to exist?”

Saige’s brows furrowed. If all of Opela was blanketed, there would be no life. No magic.