La Voisin looked taken aback, perhaps surprised that Morgan could supply what she promised quickly. “If you can get the cloak, we could start tonight. Or in two days’ time. I have other . . . engagements until then. They’re sure to be bloody and drawn out.”
A shudder rolled through me as I recalled the black masses and sacrifices that Diana had informed me the poisoner performed.
Morgan, however, kept a cool mask and rose. She motioned for us to do the same. “We are going to get a cloak now. Do not tamper with my wards. I shall know if you do. We will return at sunset for their first lesson. You will either cancel your other appointments or schedule them around my girls’ lessons. We are not paying so much just to wait around.”
The poisoner considered this for a moment before nodding. “You make a valid point. I’m all yours.” She gestured to the hall and walked us briskly to the door. “I shall be ready this evening.”
Once we were on the street, I grabbed Morgan’s arm. “You’re such a badass! How did you know what to say?”
Since I’d known the legendary witch, I’d recognized her as charming, a woman who usually got what she wanted, but I hadn’t expected La Voisin to agree to our terms so easily. It was like the poisoner had said, betraying a royal demon was no joke. But by helping us learn to use their magic to protect ourselves, that was exactly what she was doing.
“When dealing with people from other times, particularly influential, powerful people, you must understand what they desire. And that stems from the world around them. When I left you in Merlin’s care, I was already certain who I wanted you to learn from. I spent weeks studying La Voisin and the French court that she’s entangled in. The woman wants power and recognition in her society. And those sorts of people always want one thing above all others.”
“What’s that?” Eva asked, her blue eyes shining with excitement.
“Control. She asked for many things, butallof them can be used to gain control and power. However, most of all she wishes to learn how she will meet her end. If she knows her future, she believes that she can control it too.”
I tilted my head. “I thought you said we can’t inform others of that. That it throws things off?”
Morgan turned to me. “We cannot tell those in our bloodline about how they will meet their ends. It is inadvisable to share that information with others too. But in this case, it will not matter. La Voisin will meet her end the same way whether I tell her how or not. Her pride will dictate it.”
I let that settle as Morgan led us through the streets, pointing out shops of interest that we’d need to stop in for supplies later.
We’d walked no more than ten minutes when she paused before another door and pulled a key out of her bag.
“Welcome to your home, at least in this era. Let’s get settled in. Then we will go shopping for what your teacher requires.”
CHAPTERELEVEN
The day flew by, and soon enough, we were back at La Voisin’s door, the cloak draped over my ancestor’s arm.
Eva squeezed my hand as Morgan knocked. “Ready,Claire?”
I smiled at her reminder to use our false names. “I think so,Nora. Did you ever think we’d be doing something so crazy?”
Eva snorted. “You’re joking, right? Pretty much every moment since our Culling-year has been one unbelievable thing after another.”
“You’re right. What was I thinking? Seeking lessons from a notorious murderer is mundane,” I teasedjust before La Voisin opened the door.
Her gaze landed on Morgan’s face, but quickly flitted down to the cloak. Her eyes widened, and her lips parted in awe. “That’s my garment?”
Morgan handed it to her.
The cape was crimson red and embroidered with golden eagles. Easily the most luxurious piece offered in this arrondissement of the city. That had been reflected by the price of 1,500 livres. I was sure that some people lived off less per year. And yet, Morgan had insisted upon this specific cloak. She’d even already gathered the money on her last trip by performing a bit of witchcraft for one of the wealthiest mademoiselles in Paris. I suspected that if I looked in the history books, they might tell me that the poisoner possessed this specific garment.
La Voisin’s hands ran over the velvet. “I must say, when you make a promise, you deliver. Please come in. We shall get started.”
She led us into the same room as before, waving at the walls as she did so. “Everything is still intact. But I must ask, will your wards hinder their ability to work with black magic?”
Morgan shook her head. “I don’t think so, but if we discover that they do, I will alter them.”
“Very good.” La Voisin gestured to a salt circle in front of the fireplace. “First things first. Which of the royals gifted you with a demon-touched mark?”
I repressed a shudder at her use of the termgifted. “Ishtar.”
“Lucifer,” Eva said, with no hint of waver in her voice.
The witch’s eyes widened. The fact she was impressed told me that her mark was not from the queen or king, but one of the three Furies of Xaphan. “Very good. This will work out well. It would be harder to teach you if we were all demon-touched by the same royal. This is an ideal situation as it spreads the risk around a bit. Now, if you don’t mind, please step into the circle.”
