I gave him a rueful look. “Should I?”
Now he laughed. “No, not ever. Throw.”
I said, “Okay, I will whether you answer my question or not, but if you would answer, I would so appreciate it.”
“What question, Bobbie Skye?” he asked curiously.
“If one needs to reverse a portal spell…how exactly does that work?” I asked.
“Ah, your grandmother would have returned to undo her spell. Is that it?”
“Yes, so now it is up to me,” I answered, and met his gaze. Even in the dark, his gaze was penetrating.
“You have a way of eliciting emotion from me. I do not like it. However, your question is not unreasonable because you have been prompt and cooperative. Your grandmother was not the sort to forever imprison the day-walker. It is said he does not drink human blood, therefore, I shall consider your request.”
“Does that mean you know the answer?” I asked, more excited about this than I have been about almost anything else.
“Yes, Bobbie Skye, I know the answer.”
“You won’t tell me the answer now?” I pleaded.
“I will upon receiving all the formula notes. I will tell you then, though it was not part of our original agreement. As I said, in your regard, I seem to have a…more amenable position.” He eyed me challengingly. “Now throw the notebook to me.”
I did as he asked. He had the answer. He knew how to free Devin. He knew about Devin. Of course, he knew. Beyland seemed to know everything.
He held the notebook tightly to his broad chest and inclined his blond head of hair. “Hurry, Bobbie Skye. Get me what I want and I will give you what you need.”
So saying, he flicked a finger and entered that dark hole portal he had taken me through, no doubt to examine and then store the notes where no one other than himself could find them.
Devin had kept quiet during this exchange, and I know it was so Jeremy and I would not be drawn in to respond to him and make the Dark Warlock curious. But did he know Devin was watching? He seemed to look towards the invisible wall, more than once.
I wouldn’t be surprised if Beyland could see through Jeremy’s cloaking. Beyland was ancient and knew things we couldn’t even contemplate.
~ Fifteen ~
“NOW WHAT?” I ASKED AS I turned to face both Jeremy and Devin, both standing very silent, and that was unlike either of them.
That question was suddenly answered!
The wolf was back. Hawkeye stood on the other side of the Blood Ward and we all stared at him. I cleared my throat and said, “Hello, Wolfie. It is what? Twoish in the morning? What are you doing out and about?”
I was making my rounds before turning in. I was talking with a wolf again. He in my head, me out loud this time.
And this time, he spoke in my head, only to me. Jeremy hadn’t been included.
As to Devin, he remained silent, as he was not visible to the wolf because of Jeremy’s cloaking spell.
“What did he say to you?” Jeremy demanded.
“Do your rounds include MacLeod Castle?” I ignored Jeremy and concentrated on the huge wolf’s body movements. He didn’t appear threatening for the moment.
Yes, now they do, he answered, still in my head.
“Why?” I asked, still talking out loud. I could, evidently in wolf form he couldn’t.
My question, Bobbie Skye, is why…why are you helping a Dark Warlock who is a friend to the ancient, Ramon, my mortal enemy?
His voice was filled with anger, and I winced at the harsh pain that shot through my brain. I eyed him and said softly, “We are not helping Ramon. Beyland is NOT Ramon’s friend.” I saw his eyes flicker and arched a brow at him. “Oh-ho, you didn’t know that, did you? Well, as it happens, Ramon betrayed his Dark Warlock and caused him to lose the only woman he had ever truly loved—my grandmother.”