Freya stiffened. “Mostly, I transported members of the council around.”
“Like a glorified coach,” Narcissa commented.
Freya’s eyes narrowed at the feline. “I also used my rune magic to strengthen wards. If a witch’s territory expanded, I moved the runes. That sort of thing.”
So, not a member of the Council herself, but rather a lackey. No wonder she’d been in Ambrosia’s possession for so long without any intervention. That didn’t speak well for the Council, however. Even a low-level employee should have been protected.
“What are runes used for in a witch’s territory?” Lexi asked.
“Oh, mostly to mark their territory. The runes are tied to the ruling witch. So, for example, Ambrosia could use her powers throughout her entire territory with their amplification, whereas she would only normally be able to control the dead within about a half kilometer of her location.”
“Which is why you’re safe this far away from her,” I surmised.
“Correct. And don’t think the Council isn’t going to know exactly what transpired in Ambrosia’s domain these past twelve years. That horrid witch can expect a sharp rebuke, perhaps losing a good portion of her territory.”
“I could burn her to a crisp,” Narcissa offered.
I frowned at her. “You know we can’t kill her. At least not before the Council gets involved to take care of any lingering spirit. Besides, knocking her out with a rock did the trick.”
“Yes, well, fire is new to me, and I imagine frying her would take a good long while, otherwise I would have tried. Can you imagine all of the horrible screeching she would make?” Narcissa shuddered. “And anyway, you weren’t in any position to hold her down for me while she cooked, were you? Nearly depleted all of your stored energy, like an amateur. Good thing I tagged along.”
I ducked my head. “Yes, you were right on that point. You’ve been very useful.”
Narcissa began to lick a paw. “It’s my duty as your familiar. Perhaps you’ll take me on more of your excursions in the future. This has all been great fun.”
Narcissa had an odd definition of the wordfun.
“And who exactly is the human in the bed upstairs?” Lexi asked, turning back to me.
I smiled tightly. “Lucifer charged me with making sure he reaches an address in New York.”
Lexi considered. “He seems like a good guy. Doesn’t strike me as the sort you’re usually charged with.”
“Agreed.” I sighed, running a hand down my face. “And now, apparently someone has a bounty on him, challenging Lucifer’s claim. It’s going to make this all the more difficult. I don’t suppose you know of a reliable ship’s crew who could take us to America?”
“Someone is challenging Lucifer?” Lexi blinked. “That’s rather extraordinary. I hope you know what you’re doing.” She took her own mug in her hands. “Plenty of people in Bristol would be willing to do me a favor, I’m sure. I’ll see what I can do.”
“That would be amazing, Lexi. I appreciate it.”
“It’s thrilling that we’ll get to travel to America,” Therese piped up. “I’ve always wanted to go. I bet they have much better things to eat than France.”
Lexi cocked her head. “France? What’s wrong with what they …” Her eyes slid down Therese’s frog body, lingering on her legs. “Yes, er, snails are rather slimy creatures, aren’t they? Who wants to eat them when you can have … pancakes in America?”
Therese perked up, throat bobbing excitedly. “Pancakes? Oh, how I love pancakes.”
“With the freshest maple syrup you’ve ever tasted,” Lexi agreed.
Narcissa took a step closer to Lexi excitedly. “Does that taste better than mice?”
Lexi’s smile was brittle as she nodded. “Oh, yes. Much better than mice.”
Narcissa sat back on her haunches, satisfied. “Oh, good. Is maple syrup much like blood?”
“It’s the blood of trees,” I snapped at Narcissa, who turned, offering me a view of her backside.
Lexi blinked as Narcissa’s tail swished aggressively. “You never told me why Narcissa has wings.”
I groaned. “Because she’s a cat and she wanted them.”
