Page 99 of The Starlight Savior

“Do the Geralson’s have wards?”

Conor nodded. “To protect all his shiny things. I can alter them to allow us in. But that also means so can any of those creatures.”

“Then I say Geralson’s.”

“With the distance though, it would guarantee my magic would be depleted. I’d need you to use yours in order to protect us and open the portal.” Conor’s gaze was heavy against hers. “I need you to understand what you’re committing to.”

Saige bit her lip. Of course she understood. There would be minimal time to prepare her mind and body to wield. It needed to be instinctual.

But the release of killing that creature…it shook something inside of her. Saige expected the grief of her first kill to wash over her. Adrenaline pumped through her body instead, quieting the penetrating fear. She was more focused. More prepared for what could come next.

“I can do it.” She met his gaze. “I will get us back to Athalos.”

─── ⋆⋅☆⋅⋆ ──

Conor tightened the mask over Saige’s face. In the war room, he found the prototypes of mist repelling masks that allowed them to go into the chaos unharmed. But they weren’t tested. Even with the masks, they’d still have Conor’s shield bubble of lightning. He didn’t want to risk what could happen if the mist seeped through.

“I thought it killed everything it touched.” Saige tugged at thick material carving into her cheek. Her voice came out echoey.

“Some magic-wielders theorized that breathing it in has the deadliest impact. Skin contact can cause burns and sores.”

“How do we stay protected from that?”

“As best as we can. If the shield holds up, we shouldn’t have to worry.” Conor wrapped a heavy cloak around his body, covering himself and the tote of dead plants. Sifting through the manor’s wardrobes, he had found gloves for Saige and him. She tugged the hood of her stained cloak up.

“And yet we chose the house farthest away.”

“Technically, you did.”

“Seemed like the best option.”

Conor nodded grimly. There was no twinkle in his eyes or dimples forming on his cheeks. Only the stone cold expression of the general’s son preparing for the unexpected. He placed his own mask, fitting it securely around his nose and mouth.

“You don’t leave my side under any circumstances. I’ll keep the shield up until we reach Geralson’s, and we’ll go from there.” Voice distorted, Conor tugged Saige to his hip.

Magic formed in his palms, spreading out around them. Tendrils of lightning formed a sphere. Their surroundings blurred and muted as a crackling shield separated them from the world beyond.

Conor wasted no time in throwing the manor doors open. Sweat was already beginning to drip down his forehead. Saige expected to be penetrated with the blinding light of the sun, but was only met with the dull pulse of heavy mist. Gray formed around the shield bubble. Saige swore she saw a hand made of mist pressed against the shield, provoking Conor’s magic.

It was difficult to track time when the stars, sun, and moon didn’t shine through. There was no way to track how long Saige was gone from the castle.

“Map,” Conor said. He remained alert to what was in front of him, neck muscles straining as he focused on protecting them.

Saige pulled the rolled parchment out of her cloak. Holding it in one hand, she used the other to draw from her magic. Thankfully, a soft glow formed in her palm, beaming past the thick leather of her glove. Following the map, they turned right. Considering it was Conor’s home commune, Saige expected him to know how to get to the banker’s manor. But with him needing to focus, he couldn’t put any energy towards trying to navigate through the streets.

“There will be a lit archway when we’re at the front of the house. I’m sure it will still shine through all of this. Another one of Geralson’s trinkets. Enchanted lamps.”

They walked quickly down the road, saying nothing. Anything that could be seen through the mist had decayed. Tree limbs mangled and rotting. Dried plants. Saige ignored the bile in her throat when their feet passed over bones, dripping flesh, or bubbling acid. Conor had spoken of rescue parties trying to warn every place the mist could touch.

Gong.

Saige jumped at the explosion of sound.

A ghost of a smile crept up Conor’s mouth. “Just the temple. The bells still ring each hour.”

Saige’s heart hammered in her chest with each step they took. It was blinding to be outside. The only light came from their magic, purple and white mixing together. The closer they got to the manor, the more her nerves simmered. Something was off. Saige felt eyes on them as they moved, a prickle moving down her spine.

“C-Conor,” she murmured against his shoulder, one hand stretched out with magic pooling in her palm. “Something doesn’t feel right.”