He nodded.
“Come with me,” she said, standing.
They did as she asked and followed her out of the Inn, pulling up the hoods to their traveling cloaks. She led them around the corner to a shadowed alleyway, and they passed a plethora of homeless Humans living in makeshift houses in the back alleys.
Ismail turned down another completely vacant alley. She held out her hand silently. Maeve and Mal took her hand, and they Obscured with a faint SNAP.
Maeve’s stomach flipped, and they twisted quickly to another alley. Ismail turned and pushed open a small iron gate, leading them along a brick pathway until they reached a small house.
Mal was on full alert next to her, his Magic prepared to strike at any moment.
Ismail held open the front door, extending her hand into the house.
Maeve stepped into the dimly lit room. The walls were lined with potions in all colors. There were giant vases around the room with perfumes leaking from their openings. It was clean and stylish on the inside.
Ismail discarded her coat and walked to the center of the room, to a tall, round table.
“Please,” said Ismail, gesturing to the table.
Mal stepped forward and placed the two pieces of the stone on the table. They lowered the hoods of their cloaks.
Ismail leaned over the stones, closing her eyes and inhaling loudly. She did this three times before looking up at Mal.
“I can do it.”
“How much will it cost?” Asked Maeve.
Ismail adverted her gaze to Maeve with a strange look on her face.
“How much money?” Clarified Maeve.
“Ah,” said Ismail, nodding. “To be clear, young travelers, my flat fee is one hundred rubies or two thousand gold pieces. But this magic is dark, and it will cost you more than precious stones.”
Maeve turned to Mal, who gave her a slight nod. She pulled the money from her pocket and placed a purple drawstring bag on the table.
Ismail poured the contents out and counted each piece. She smiled. She slid one chipped piece of gold to the side, separating it from the rest.
“Ambrose Sinclair sent you?” She asked with a glittering grin.
Mal’s magic whipped to attention.
Maeve laughed and sent a soothing bit of her own magic his way. “Yes. I am his daughter. You can tell that from the coin?”
Ismail picked up the chipped gold piece. “Magical objects hold memories. Things Magicals touch hold memories. When they are damaged and broken, I can see everything.” She placed the chipped gold coin back with the rest. “This is his gold.” Her eyes flicked up to Maeve. “I know who you are then. Why pay me when you could trick my mind into thinking whatever you want?”
Maeve thought carefully on her response then said, “how do you know I already haven’t?”
Ismail grinned at Mal. “Then that makes you The Dread Descendant. I heard a rumor you had appeared.”
“From who?”
“Not, who, young wizard. What.” She ran her fingers across the broken stone pieces. “I’ve heard many rumors from the Magic that speaks in only whispers I can hear. I heard rumor that the Premier’s daughter cannot enter the minds of others anymore. Quite a disappointment to the Orator’s Office. You were on track to be their favorite weapon.” Ismail touched the broken stone pieces and inhaled sharply. “Or,” her eyes flicked up, “it seems that has changed. You are no longer afraid.”
Maeve stared her down for a moment. “Have you ever?” She asked quietly.
“No, little witch, I have never been in another’s mind.”
Maeve nodded. “That’s because you aren’t capable. You have no idea what it’s like. To make you think a lie is one thing. But to alter one’s mind memory and matter is entirely another.”
