“The potion was used to cast threedifferentillusions?” Odin demanded.
“I'm assuming that Scylla gave it to a soldier who she killed,” I explained. “We brought the body back to conduct an autopsy and during the examination, it returned to its true form. That's how we discovered that she had snuck in a second time.”
“You've forgotten her stint as Meilen,” Verin reminded me.
“Oh, right!” I exclaimed. “I don't know how I forgot about that. Scylla killed a woman named Meilen and took her identity as well. That's how she got Verin's guards to let her in to see me. The illusion lasted until Scylla used a tentacle to kill one of Verin's guards. Then she went back to normal and I killed her. So, that makes four times.”
Odin and my father exchanged an impressed look.
“That's new,” my father said.
“Groundbreaking,” Odin added, then grimaced. “I suppose that does cast some suspicion on Vivian. It would take a very talented witch to craft an illusion potion like that. Still, I trust Vivian. The only reason she cast that love spell was to save Elaria's life. Why would she turn around and try to kill El now? It's absurd.”
“We're not outright accusing Vivian,” I assured him. “We just want to wait awhile before we speak with her about this. Wait until we know for certain who crafted the potion.”
“Fair enough,” Odin muttered. “Where's this amazing potion, Robert?”
I tossed Odin the potion bottle.
He opened it, took a sniff, and declared, “Yep that's a water potion all right.”
“You can tell just by smelling it?” I asked in surprise.
“He's a witch leader, El,” my father said as if that explained it all.
“Can I borrow your equipment, Robert?” Odin asked.
“Of course. Anything you need.” My dad led Odin out of the room.
The rest of us waited in tense silence, the men eyeing Verin while he ignored them. Instead of responding to their intense regard, Verin sat beside me on the long couch, holding my hand in his lap, and stared serenely at the view before him. He looked as if he'd be content to sit there all day. My mother sat on my other side and the rest of the men were gathered around us on the remainder of the couch and the chairs, some of which my father had brought in from the dining room to accommodate everyone. We were a big group.
“So, you used your goddess magic to kill Scylla?” Slate asked me.
“Yes.”
“And you didn't have any trouble with it?” He prompted.
“No, I managed fine. I just made sure to keep them all in balance.” I grinned. “The practice has paid off.”
“That's my girl,” Slate said with a soft smile.
Verin growled.
Slate growled back.
“There will be none of that!” My mother snapped and the men instantly quieted. “You all love Elaria, and I appreciate that, but if you fight over her in my home, I will start singing and no one wants to hear that.”
“Sorry, Kalliope,” Slate murmured.
“My apologies,” Verin added.
“I think we can all agree that these are unusual circumstances,” Mom went on. “Sympathy and understanding are what's needed if you wish to succeed. You can start by not baiting each other.” She looked pointedly at Verin's hand twined with mine.
“Holding my consort's hand is baiting?” Verin asked, appalled.
“Consort?” Banning snapped. “It's been two days!”
Verin lifted a brow as if he didn't see Banning's point.
