Chasing Bloodlines (Book 4) by Jenna Van Vleet

when she paused to breathe.
    She gave him a furious look. “Make up your star-blasted mind!”
    After breakfast and answering a few letters, he donned a long white coat with mahogany buttons and shifted to Telmon Palace. He retrieved Challis and then shot to Kilkiny for his parents. Lael bound them to the Council Hall and turned the meeting over to Gabriel.
    Gabriel spent the first half explaining the attack and its implications, and how he planned to handle the fault in the gate. The Council agreed with his suspicions that Ryker had planned all three attacks, and since they all failed, it was likely the Arch Mage would step up his attacks.
    “Is there any other way for anything else to get through these walls? I know the fortifications and sky are warded, but what about the ground beneath us? Could Ryker burrow up?” Galloway asked, sporting a fetching red five-pointed hat.
    Gabriel shook his head. “The entire castle is warded like a bubble, and up until last night, we never had reason to question it. Aelony said the opening is right in the center of the gates like a pinprick.” He paused when half of them nodded, and the rest looked confused. “How does no one know about Aelony?”
    “He keeps to himself. No one goes into the Forbidden Section,” Lael replied.
    “Because it’s forbidden ,” Mikelle whispered.
    “He is our resident specter expert,” Gabriel stated. “Regardless, I am going in search of help.”
    His declaration brought surprised looks from the Council. “I told you he thinks we’re useless,” Cordis murmured across the table to Aisling.
    “Only you, dear.”
    Gabriel unfurled a long map across the table. The Council reached their hands out and tacked it down. They leaned in to investigate. “This is a map of our continent, and you will see we are not the only kingdoms. There are many over the mountains. This map is an Age old, so I doubt all these kingdoms exist still, but I wager there are Mages over there. I am going to shift there as soon as I can fortify the gates.”
    “I have heard this name before,” Lewis murmured. “Tinta-jell-sing.”
    “Gael, like the storm. Tinta-gael-sing. People who live there are called Gaelsins.”
    “Do they even speak our language?” Aisling asked.
    “I found no notations of language.”
    They slipped into discussion as some were familiar with the name and the idea of other kingdoms. No one knew about the tunnels under the mountains, and Gabriel filled them in about. They already began forming a party when Gabriel redirected their attention to more pertinent issues. They still needed new Spirit Battle Mages and to bring Dagan’s specter hunters back to the castle.
    They deliberated for a while before adjourning and making their way to the testing room. Gabriel had already Classed six Mages since he arrived. It always brought back the excitement he felt the first time he stepped into the room.
    He was certainly no expert in the matter, especially when it came to Air, so he observed the other Council Members before making the final decision. They Classed an Earth and an Air Mage both a Class of Five, and parted ways afterwards giving Gabriel much needed time to read in his loft.
    Robyn was hosting a dinner for dignitaries in her City, so Gabriel waited until late that night before shifting to her quarters. He greeted the guards at her door and let himself in. Robyn was at her desk, burning a bright lantern beside her.
    “A little late to be working,” he said as he stepped in.
    She smiled. “Says the man who has fallen asleep at his own desk.”
    “I should really limit the amount of time you spend with Mikelle,” he sighed. “How was the dinner?”
    “It went well. Parion has agreed to lower the tax on fabrics, and we will be fostering the High Lord’s daughters for the spring. I am just drafting the agreement.”
    “Excellent.” He took a chair by the fire and patted his lap.
    “That looks very inviting.” She set her pen aside and