The League of Illusion: Destiny by Vivi Anna Page B

stick of calcite and inscribed symbols in all three semi-circles made by the intersecting triangle and circle. The moment she was done, a wave of heat rushed through the room. It was like being blasted by a spontaneous fire. He closed his eyes and soaked it up.
    “Now we need the life force of a sacred creature to open the veil between worlds.”
    She went to her large leather satchel and came away with a white cat, its legs tied together and its jaw bound shut. At first he thought it was already dead, but he could see its gray eyes looking at him, fear making its pupils large. His gut churned, and for the first time in a long while he felt something other than apathy for another being. It surprised him.
    “What are you going to do with it?” he asked, although he suspected he already knew.
    “Use its blood to open the portal. Cats, much like elves, are powerful creatures. They straddle veils like walking on a tightrope.” She ran a hand over its back. “What’s the matter? You look pale.”
    Darin couldn’t tell her he didn’t like killing animals. As a child he had a pet cat. He’d found it in the streets and taken it home. Of course his father hadn’t known. He hadn’t noticed Darin much anyway. But the one day his father did visit his private rooms, he found the cat and forced Darin to drown it. With tears streaming down his cheeks he’d done it. He still had a scar on his forearm where the cat’s back claws had shredded his flesh in defense.
    He cleared his throat. “It’s just so messy. Isn’t there a more civilized way to open the portal?”
    “This is wild magic. It’s messy and unpredictable and uncomfortable.” She stroked a finger down his cheek. “We can stop if you want. Try and find a natural portal if you prefer.”
    Darin did want to stop, which surprised him to no end. Why his boyhood fears and regrets were coming into play now, he’d never understand. He was not weak-stomached. He’d done things most men would weep at. He’d done them gladly. But right at this moment he had a hard lump in the pit of his stomach, as if something was extremely wrong. The magic swirling around them, caressing him, felt wrong. Yet he couldn’t deny the erection between his legs.
    “I don’t want to stop. The Davenports need to pay.”
    “And pay they will.” She handed him a knife made of silver and inlaid with onyx. It glinted menacingly in the flickering candlelight.
    Darin took it, gripping the hilt tight in his right hand. He looked into the cat’s eyes and did what he had to do, knowing he was beyond any type of forgiveness for the things he’d done.

Chapter Fourteen
    She was there again in the market—the girl with the fiery cascade of curls and pretty green eyes. Drea Blairwood, he was told, was her name. It was difficult not to notice her. Like a magnet, his gaze automatically tracked from across the village square. Of course, he had to make sure she didn’t notice him noticing her. He was not a good man for her, but still the heart wanted what it couldn’t have.
    He’d first seen her only days after arriving in the village to find work. She’d come out of one of the houses, her plaited hair swinging. A mangy dog ran up to her, barking, and she crouched to pet it, scratching it behind the ears and laughing. She’d only been seventeen then, but he couldn’t deny she was the most beautiful girl he’d ever seen. She had a light inside her that he’d been drawn to. And ever since that day, he’d been watching her from afar. Always careful not to make himself known. It wouldn’t do for her to truly know him.
    As he talked with Claude, Sebastian watched her out of the corner of his eye. She was milling about near the fruit stands, taking an interest in the melons. Then her gaze lifted to his and she dropped the melon she’d been holding. It bounced on the others and sent them all to the ground.
    He smiled as she scrambled after them. One rolled right to him, as if he’d planned it