Chapter 10: Practice makes perfect
Ten minutes after he'd been burned alive, Irwin stepped back through the portal. He appeared in the same tiny cave-like room that he'd been in the previous times.
His mind was spinning from what had happened and the intensity with which Jonathan had looked at him. Oddly, it had remained at a piercing look. After his initial remarks, the sorcerer said nothing but told him to sit down and rest.
A ten-minute break. Why do I feel like that wasn't because he felt bad? Irwin thought acidly.
He stepped next to the entrance. This was not the time to be zoning out.
Greldo was staring at him from the other side, seemingly biting his tongue to avoid asking questions.
A few seconds later, the other four joined them, Taselina glaring at all of them as if it was their fault she'd been tossed through the portal by Jonathan.
"Be quiet," Irwin whispered, looking at the others but mostly hoping Taselina would remain still.
"I'm not the stupid one here," Taselina hissed as she moved to the other side of the door, glaring at him. She was holding a long staff she'd grabbed before they entered.
Are you implying I'm stupid? Irwin thought. He had no idea what to say, but luckily, he didn't have to.
The giggling and laughter shot up a bit, drawing Taselina's attention. She spun around, glaring at the hallway, color draining from her face, and she began shivering.
"What are those?" she whispered.
"Imps," Greldo snapped, turning to her with a sudden angry look. "The things that just killed Irwin and me for the second time because you keep acting like that!"