As much as it pained her to be deceitful with Matherson, she chose to follow through with her promise to her informant.
“If the contenders are being targeted now, we need to increase security around Prince Reynauld and Lady Arabella,” Theo said, speaking for the first time since he’d arrived. “Perhaps even Lady Alanna too.”
Jade’s gut squeezed. She imagined there were many people who wanted Arabella out of this, considering her stance about the execution law. Too many feared magic-wielders, especially those in the nobility. But she was arguably the best future monarch, at least in Jade’s mind. The animosity between her and Grannam had made her a target. Could she be next on the assassin’s list?
“It’s already in the works,” Matherson replied, turning his attention to Theo. “We’re moving as many troops as possible across various bases to Lesseine as security. Although, it’s not to say it will be effective against this assassin, or even a deterrent. He doesn’t seem to have any problems getting in and out of places undetected. The only time he’s even been seen was during your encounter with him, Captain Ni’ihm, at Count Aubergine’s estate.”
And again last night. But she didn’t voice her internal confession. It didn’t matter, anyway, since he’d gotten away.
But the more she considered what she knew of the killer, something sparked a thought in Jade’s mind that she hadn’t considered before. “Could it be possible that he is a magic-wielder? If he’s a sorcerer, he could use hismagic to influence anyone he comes in contact with. It would make sneaking around and accessing secure locations much more feasible.”
Matherson said nothing, rubbing a hand thoughtfully along his chin.
“It couldn’t be,” Theo said in Matherson’s silence. “He would have already been exposed by now. This is at least his seventh assassination. I’ve never heard of a sorcerer or sorceress who can use their magic and not be discovered. The reason they managed to stay hidden so long and hide among us now is because they suppress their magic.”
“But he’s anassassin,” Jade countered. “He’s probably been training for this his entire life. He would know how to only use magic when he wouldn’t be caught, or maybe even hide his aura entirely.”
The rhythmic ticking of a clock filled the room as Matherson apparently continued to consider the suggestion. Jade pinched her eyebrows together, trying to guess what Matherson was thinking. Was it really that outlandish of a prospect to him? Magic-wielders were out there. The footman from dinner at Evenshold Palace returned to her mind, apparently having lived without exposure for years. And then there was Arabella’s letter to Grannam.
More sorcerers and sorceresses live among us than we know, but they have become adept at concealing their abilities.
How did Arabella know that? And how much truth was there to it?
“It’s an interesting theory,” Commander Matherson finally said, “but I’m not sure it holds weight. Someone would have noticed by now. We would be able to make that connection.”
Jade’s shoulders slumped. It made sense to her, but that wasn’t enough for Matherson. She thought back to her encounter with the killer on the roof, trying to place any indication of magic being used.
Magic was having influence over others. The danger of magic was that a person could be influenced by a sorcerer or sorceress and not realize it until after the magic had been withdrawn. Or perhaps not at all if the magic-wielder kept their influence of a victim in line with their personality and actions.
It wasn’t a mind-control, as the victim of magic was still in charge of their own faculties. The power of the magic-wielders’ influence in speech or other form of persuasion would be convincing to the victim, enough to make them follow through with what was requested as if it were their own idea. The military underwent specialized training to learn what to expect so they wouldn’t be caught unawares.
Nothing in her brief interaction with the assassin gave credence to the prospect of him being a sorcerer. Or did it? Why had she pulled her gun? She wouldn’t have fired it in such a scenario, and it cost her precious seconds.
But that wasn’t the only time she’d encountered him. That first night...
That first night, something strange had happened.
“I might have noticed,” Jade began slowly. She dreaded revealing the details of that night she hadn’t shared before. She’d had no good explanation for how she’d reacted while pursuing the killer, but now...
Matherson clasped his hands on the desk again and leaned in, his forehead wrinkling. “What do you mean, Captain?”
Jade inhaled and took a sidelong glance at Theo. His face bore the same curiosity as Matherson’s.
“When I first encountered the assassin, I trailed him through the woods on Count Aubergine’s estate and noticed...” Jade rolled her lips and shook her head, almost in disbelief of her own admittance. “He stopped and turned around, and I took cover behind a tree. While I hid, I started to consider changing my strategy. I wasted precious seconds with the idea that I should outright pursue him. By the time I came back to my senses and remembered I didn’t work like that for a reason, he was gone. I knew better than that, but in the moment, I had that idea and I didn’t know why. Then I couldn’t find him, as if he’d disappeared without a trace. But that was impossible. There’s a chance I couldn’t pick up a trail because he was influencing where I searched.”
Commander Matherson tapped the fingers of one hand on top of his other. “Why didn’t you mention this during your debrief of that mission?”
“It didn’t seem significant at the time,” she said with sincerity. “I just thought I was being reckless, and since I caught myself before I did anything, it didn’t stand out to me.”
The slow nod Matherson gave in reply did nothing to make Jade feel better. The whole thing sounded ludicrous. But now, with the idea of a sorcerer behind it, she didn’t find it outlandish anymore.
“Your experience is worth keeping in mind, but it’s not enough to accuse the assassin of being a magic-wielder.” Matherson sat back, as though the matter was closed. “What matters most is finding this killer, uncovering who he is working for, and stopping those involved.”
In other words, she needed to get back out there.
Theo spoke the words on the tip of her tongue. “So, you have a mission for us?”
“Yes.” Matherson’s tone shifted with the change in topic, losing its heaviness and returning to his typical confident demeanor. “I’m putting you on an espionage mission. We have learned that both the Fellsrin and Evenshold families will be attending the opera this weekend. There is no suggestion that they will be targeted while away from home, but the rules of the game have changed. With them being in such a public venue, it provides a perfect opportunity to easily watch them. Not only to ensure their safety, but also to track Grannam and see what he might do. Notice who he talks to, what kinds of conversations he holds. Pay attention to Arabella’s actions as well, but we have more reason to believe that Lord Grannam is somehow involved in this, so he is a priority.”
