AFamiliarFace by Marie Harte Page A

as Core thought hard about his answer. To live without Mallory? Or to stay here and help her, loving her, knowing his people would die without him.  
    He stared at her, drinking in her joy, her vivacity. She glowed with magic and with the happiness surety afforded. Here, in this place, she was home. And much safer than with him fighting Phrellians day after day.
    His heart felt as if it were breaking. For the whole of his life he’d done what was asked of him. He’d lost friend after friend, even Fenin. And for what? To give up the part of him that longed for a semblance of normalcy, of family, for the good of the Talian race?
    “Nothing to say, War Leader?”
    Core hissed, and several people surrounding them shouted when his Snake started to ascend. At Rattler’s frown, he drew on his discipline to call it back.
    “I will not be the cause of Talian destruction.” His heart cracked, and he forced himself to remain stoic. “If I must make a choice, then duty it must be. I would ask, however, that you protect Mallory and see to her happiness. She deserves much more than that for saving so many.” Feeling betrayed by the god he’d spent his life serving, he awaited his answer.
    Rattler considered, then nodded. “So be it. Return to The Lounge and use the farthest door on the right. No, Core. Don’t bother saying goodbye. There’s nothing more for you here, brother.” Rattler’s eyes clouded, and in their depths Core recognized a deep sadness. “I’m sorry Core, but if it helps, had you taken her back with you, she would have died there.”
    With grief knotting inside him, Core left Rattler and the crowded floor and climbed the stairs. He wouldn’t let his emotions tear him apart. An awful numbness filled him when reached The Lounge and passed through the black door on the right. Identical to the other room, it had a large bed. He sat down on it and placed his head in his hands.    

 
     
    Chapter Eight
     
     
    Mal hugged Sherm, excited to introduce him to Core. She couldn’t believe only a few minutes had passed here while days had passed in Core’s world. Must have been some kind of really weird temporal distortion spell, though she’d didn’t know any witch or warlock who’d ever successfully attempted such.
    Glancing around, she saw Rattler and Core talking and wondered how her war leader was handling his talk with his god.
    Sherm knocked her in the shoulder. “Check that out, Mal. Rattler has a twin brother. Who knew?”
    She grinned. “That, Sherm, is the love of my life.”
    “Huh?”
    “Where’s Sheila? I’d like to get this out at once.”
    “Bathroom. Now come on, Mal. You left us four hours ago with aching feet and whiny complaints.”
    “Whiny?”
    “Sorry, bitchy.” Sherm rolled his eyes. “Then you come downstairs with a big gray guy, who’s the spitting image of Rattler without all the metal. Not to mention this dude’s got hair and a helluva lot of muscle.” Sherm eyed him warily. “How do you know him, anyway?”
    “You wouldn’t believe me if I told you.”
    He groaned. “One of those magic things, eh?”
    She nodded, her mood sobering as she realized she’d probably never see Sherm, Sheila or her parents again. “I’m leaving Newtown, Sherm.”
    “About damn time.” He grunted. “Move uptown, near Sheila and me. I know a guy--”
    “No, Sherm. I’m leaving leaving.” She took a deep breath and let it out slowly, seeing his confusion transition into gradual understanding.
    “Hell. For how long?”
    “Probably forever.” She sniffed, consumed with sadness that she might never see her best friend again.
    “But why?” He frowned. “If you have the hots for the gray guy, just move him in with you.”
    “Apparently it doesn’t work that way.” She didn’t like saying goodbye and knew dragging it out would only make things worse. “Look, I have to leave to be with him. I’m really needed there.” She gave him a watery grin. “They actually thank me