I breathed a sigh of relief. Although La Voisin was a famed witch, Morgan was certainly stronger. Whatever she’d done would ensure our safety.
“Now we can speak freely.” Morgan took a seat and crossed her ankles. “My girls have come here to be taught by you, although not exactly as I have requested.”
La Voisin arched a dark eyebrow.
“It’s clear that you have bound your blood to darkness,” Morgan’s voice dropped low. “And that you’re powerful enough to control yourself after making such a deal. My girls are demon-touched too. They wish to learn how to use the black magic within themselves and resist possession by the royals. Can you teach them?”
La Voisin’s eyes went straight to the windows, and then the walls, trailing over everything.
Morgan chuckled. “My ward is strong. Any listening devices the royal has put in here will not pick up my request.”
“Ingenious,” La Voisin muttered as she stroked her chin. She studied Morgan for a few long minutes, occasionally darting her gaze between Eva and me. “What did you say your name was again?”
“Morgan.”
“No surname?”
“None that I wish to share.”
“And the girls?”
Morgan gestured to me.
“I’m Claire,” I said, giving my middle name just as we’d discussed. If La Voisin turned on us we didn’t want her knowing Eva’s and my true identities. That might make us easier to find in the future and we didn’t want the demons having a leg up.
“And I’m Nora,” Eva said, using the other half of her full name, Evanora.
“I’m afraid thatnoneof us have surnames,” Morgan added, because it was clear that La Voisin was about to pry further.
“Hmmm.” The poisoner pressed her lips together until they became white. “What makes you think I have made a deal with a royal demon?”
“History assures us of it,” Morgan replied smoothly. “You see, we’re timewalkers. We know of what you’ve done, all your powers. Only someone who made a deal with a devil could perform such acts.”
“Timewalkers?!” La Voisin shot up. “How should I proceed with my life, my business? I—”
Morgan held up a finger. “I will not give you any hints as to your future. Unless you teach Claire and Nora.”
The witch fell back into her seat, clearly astonished. After a moment, she began stroking her chin again.
“That information would be invaluable, but to defy a royal . . . That’s the most dangerous thing one can do. For such a sacrifice, I will requiremuchmore than simply the tale of my future and the coin we discussed.”
“Like?”
“A cloak to perform in. I have been investing in my home to attract a certain level of customer, but when I travel, I look less than appealing. I need something worthy of a queen. I wish to have it before the lessons.”
“Is that all?”
La Voisin was quiet for a moment, clearly wondering how far she could push her luck.
As if trying to temper the poisoner from being too greedy, Morgan crossed her thin arms over her chest.
The black witch didn’t balk, only studied Morgan more carefully. “When we’re done, I will also require additional monetary compensation in the sum of a thousand livres and an act of magic from you.” She pointed to Morgan.
My ancestor eyed the poisoner witch sternly as she considered the demand. “For teaching my girls, and not betraying them, you shall have it all. Your future told, the livres, the cloak, and a single act of magic. Nothing more. Nothing less.”
The poisoner rubbed her hands together just as the clock in her sitting room struck the hour. The intense glee in her face vanished, and she sprang up from her seat. “Very well. We have a deal. For now, however, you must go. I have a client stopping by—one who will not appreciate being seen here.” She rolled her eyes. “It’s merely a contraceptive call. As if half the ladies at court don’t use it.”
“When should we return? The sooner the better.”
