Chapter 65 THE INDECENT OFFER
"What?" He wasn't sure what had shocked him more, the fact that the governor had made such a demand or the idea of Xyra being his. Magnus didn't own Xyra. She definitely wasn't his woman. They were simple companions.
"It's a rather fair trade, don't you think?" the plump man asked. "This talisman for that woman. After all, I've always wanted a slave." He gave Xyra a sly grin, and the girl began to back away. She really didn't like where this deal was going. Her eyes were wide with fear, and she was praying that Magnus wouldn't do to her what she had done to him. She didn't want to be sold to this sick man.
Xyra turned around, ready to get out of this room, but the guards were standing in her way, obviously aware of what she had been trying to do. She was part of this deal, so they were going to make sure she stayed. Every part of her wanted to run away, but she had no choice. She would just have to have faith in Magnus. His silence was uncomforting though.
"So you're saying you'll give me that talisman if I let you have her?" Magnus asked, his voice lacking any actual anger towards the governor.
"Yes, exactly," the man stated, smiling the entire time.
"Oh, okay," Magnus said, clarifying the deal for himself. He had a smile on as he said this. However, anyone could see that it was fake. There was anger clouding behind his eyes.
Before anyone could react, Magnus had punched the governor right in his fat face, knocking the man to the ground. The sorcerer wore a scowl that burned with the fury of the devil. His jade eyes were as unforgiving as steel. He bent down and snatched the man up by his shirt, holding him at eye level. The governor was trembling, his face now harboring a huge bruise.
"Governor!" shouted some of the guards as they made attempts to move in and help their master. One was even brave enough to try and stab at Magnus with a sword, but it was deflected. There was a barrier around the sorcerer, keeping him and the governor in but the guards out.
"Like hell, I'm going to agree with that," Magnus snarled. "She's not some object. You're going to make me a fair offer, or I'll strike you down where you stand." His voice was heavy with threat, and he had the expression to back it.
"You wouldn't kill me," the governor stated confidently. "It would cause too much of a commotion. Besides, hurt me and my guards will kill that woman."
The guards move in around Xyra, coming too close to her for comfort. However, when one stepped in closer, he was thrown back by a barrier. She turned and looked back at Magnus. He was keeping her safe just as he was himself. No one was going to touch either of them.
"Now make me a fair offer," he demanded.
"It is what it is. Take it or leave it. Let me have that woman, or you won't be getting this talisman."
Magnus's eyes narrowed in hate, but he didn't keep arguing. There was no price that he could pay to get that talisman. Instead, he simply threw the governor to the floor, cursing under his breath.
"You're lucky," he snarled. "I could've killed you so easily. Scum like you don't deserve to live." He shoved his hands in his pockets and began walking away, heading towards the door. He grabbed Xyra's arm as he passed, pulling her along with him. The guards all parted, letting them both through the doors and out of the room. They weren't going to bother asking for an escort out. Magnus was in too foul a mood to bother.
When they were far enough away from the room, he let go of Xyra and heaved a deep, frustrated sigh. There was still a glare on his face, one that could melt ice. He really did have those moments where he looked like he could just explode.
"The nerve of that man," he said hotly. "Demanding such an indecent thing. Slavery is illegal in the first place! God, people like that make me sick!"
Xyra didn't say anything to him as he ranted about the governor. She agreed with everything he was saying though. However, she couldn't get over the fact that the man had even demanded such a thing. She was happy that Magnus had declined, that he actually cared about her. She hadn't been nearly as kind to him when placed in that situation. She had sold him to the league. He had become furious about selling her. Now she really felt awful about her past actions.
"Xyra?" he began, his voice finally a bit calmer.
"Yeah?" she asked meekly.
"You don't have to worry. I'd never trade you for a talisman."
"… So what are you going to do now?" She knew him well enough to know that he wasn't going to give up. He would find a way to get that talisman.
"I'll think of something," he stated as he shoved through the front doors to the mansion, stepping out into the sunlight. He shoved his hands deep into his pockets and hunched his shoulders. It was pretty easy to tell that he was sulking. He really had been hoping that they could make a deal, but the governor had been far too unfair. He wasn't about to give up Xyra so that that man could do God knows what to her just so he could get a talisman. There was always another way to do things. He just had to find the alternative.
"Well…" began Xyra as she came up next to him, a smile on her face. "You could always steal it."
"I'm not a thief," he stated.
"I know, but how about hiring one?" She gave him a sweet smile as he turned to her. He quickly knew what she was talking about. There was no way he was doing it though.
"Forget it," he told her sternly.
"What? Why not?"
"I'm not sending you in there alone. I'll think of something else, so don't worry about it."
"But…" She was really begging now.
"No." And that was the end of that conversation. Magnus had won yet again. The sorcerer usually got his way with things like this. His voice alone stated that he wasn't giving in, no matter how much she begged him. Truth be told, she wanted to steal something. She hadn't gotten to in a long time. Her thief skills were going to be wasted on this journey. Besides, she wanted to be of some use to the sorcerer. He was forever doing things for her sake. She hadn't once done anything that could be considered payment.
Xyra didn't say anything more on the topic, but she wasn't going to give it up. Whether Magnus gave her permission to or not, she was going to sneak into that house, and she was going to get the talisman. She was her own person. She didn't need his say on it. He probably wouldn't be able to come up with something anyway. Whether he could see it or not, this was the only way. She was going to do it. She had to. Considering how many times he had saved her, her payment was far past due. It was about time she did something about that.