“Did they?” Interrupted Maeve. “So strange.” She held Remy on the line, he was unconscious, but she wasn’t in his mind. He was fighting her. And fighting hard, but she was hard to fight. “Everyone seems to be having discussions about what I can and cannot do and no one bothered to ask me.”
Her hands tensed, sending a convulsion through Remy’s body where he hovered.
“Merlin,” said Brighton. “That man in Albania. That was you.”
Shit.
“The Daily Divination printed about it. The Orator’s Office said the Magic was unknown. But you did something to his mind.”
Remy tensed again. He was fighting hard now. Maeve would either need to let go or fully infiltrate his mind to keep her hold.
“Alight,” said Brighton, pressing his hands down in a calming manner. “We can discuss this.”
“There’s nothing to discuss,” said Mal.
Brighton shook his head in anger. “No. No,” he said. “I will not give up my life’s work for an illegitimate usurper, and a Sacred Seventeen bitch.”
“Father,” said Bill.
“Shut up,” he snapped at his other son.
“You will give it up,” said Mal. “I am sorry, sir. Truly. I know in your heart what you desire is virtuous, but I will have that crown. I will receive the magic it holds. Magic my blood calls to.”
Mr. Brighton’s breathing was quick and heavy. His eyes on Maeve. Mal continued speaking calmly.
“I am not quick to anger like Maeve here. Her temper is truly to be feared.” Praise rang out from his voice. “I keep a very tight leash on my temper, Mr. Brighton.” Fear was pounding from them all. “But make no mistake, you step towards her and I will use it with joy.”
One of the men spoke then. “You really are him.”
Mal gave him a nod.
“I’ll be dammed.”
“Apologies, gentleman,” said Mal.
With a snap of his fingers, they all fell unconscious, slumping to the ground.
“Wipe their memory,” said Mal plainly.
“What?” Asked Maeve.
“The only people that get to know the moves I make are the people I choose.”
“Wipe their entire minds, Mal?”
“That’s what I said.”
Maeve stammered. She pointed at Brighton. “That man holds more knowledge about Magicals and our history than anyone on Earth.”
“Well, I hope he wrote it all down.”
“Bill and Remy have children- they will forget-”
Mal’s eyes slipped to hers and her mouth snapped tightly shut.
“Don’t look at me like that,” he said softly. “Please. Everyone in the world is going to look at me like that at some point. I can accept that. But not from you.”
Maeve’s jaw loosened. Her body relaxed and she heaved a sigh. She nodded and turned back to where the five men lay unconscious.
