Discover L (Book 2) | Complete |

~~ It's Better This Way ~~

The snoring started before L could even thank him. She smiled to herself, leaning against the bed frame as she stared at the door. Where could Bryce be at this time of night? And what did his parents have him doing? She tried not to think about whether it was dangerous, even if it were she'd have a hard time getting to him. She was stuck here, waiting and wondering.

L felt herself slipping down the frame and fidgeted upright. She was starting to feel sleepy, being in the Elf Kingdom was apparently taking its toll; but she couldn't let herself get lazy, not with everything that lay ahead. She pushed herself to stay awake, watching and listening at the door while she sifted through some Elven folk tales. L found herself slipping again, only this time she disturbed the sleeping bag and Bryce's scent intensified around her.

L found herself laying on the sleeping bag, finding comfort in being surrounded by Bryce's smell, even if she couldn't be with him. After a moment she crawled into the sleeping bag, it wouldn't hurt to be comfortable while she waited. She lay on her back, staring up at the ceiling and listened to the night. She could hear curtains rustling in the distance, papers being shuffled somewhere else, and the odd grunt of Robbie's snoring.

The palace was quiet, peaceful even. L hadn't really appreciated it until now, her life was always so chaotic and loud. Someone wanting something from her; to listen, to do as she's told, to stop running, to fight. But the nights she'd spent here so far had consistently been her own, as if the Elves had a curfew on bugging her. L found herself drifting with those thoughts, she was sure when Bryce found her there he'd wake her to find out why.

She curled onto her side and let sleep take her. A flash of dreams, barely enough to focus on, swam before her eyes in a constant, dizzying stream. L felt the rush of relief when the sound of the door opening woke her. She had no idea how long she'd slept for but it was still dark out. She went to turn and greet Bryce when an unfamiliar scent struck her. It was too strong to be something he'd brought in on him; her guard was up, her body poised. Whoever was coming through the door was not Bryce.

L could hear their steady breathing while they crept into the room, they were trying to be as silent as possible. She had to think quickly, she couldn't determine their intentions and wasn't about to get complacent. She had to stop the intruder, keep them from escaping so she could find out what they wanted; she also needed to protect Robbie, he couldn't transform in here.

The crackling sound of magic suddenly launched L into action. She turned fully, finding the stranger leaning over her. They were hooded, covered by darkness and in their hands two balls of colour changing magic. Each aimed towards L's chest, the figure raised their hands just as L rolled to the side. She scowled and shot out a hand, Elf magic pulsed from her fingertips.

The attacker managed to dodge it, losing their own summoned magic in the process. L jumped to her feet, firing volley after volley. The walls were ablaze, and Robbie awoke with a start. L didn't have time to explain, she needed to stop this fight before it went any further. She urged Robbie to run, it was the perfect distraction.

The moment she gestured to him, and he jumped up to head for the door, her attacker turned as though to fight him as well. L smirked, it was exactly what she wanted. Using a combination of magic she encased her attacker in a barrier. It was similar to those she'd used in the past, but instead of being designed for protection, L reinforced this one to be more of a prison.

The attacker struggled, attempting to use magic to free themselves. L felt the strain and had to concentrate to stop them from breaking out. Robbie walked around to where she was standing, his wide eyes taking in the scene.

"What in the hell just happened?"

"I'll explain soon, gotta concentrate. Go get the guard. And ask for Bryce, Keeper's orders."