“That is correct.”
“What kind of power would I need to have for it to call to me?”
“A hells of a lot. You are not of that level yet. Nor will you be in twenty-one days. A bond is a merging of magic. A synchronization of power.” He paused. “To get to that level youwill need all your memories. You can’t be stuck in the loop where you are always going back to square one and relearn the basics.”
I had to agree with him.
Arielle nodded faintly. “This makes sense. So we’ll focus on training Elariya to harness her time magic and see how far we get. Then we attempt the tracking spell again.”
Wolfe’s attention turned toward her. “Yes, that’s the plan. You may go to Hyxian as soon as you see fit. I will put in a royal request so that Archmage Magdalena is available whenever you need her. We will need her expertise.”
Arielle nodded and her gaze flicked toward me. “I’d like to spend some time going over what we learned last month before we resume training at Hyxian.”
“How long will that take?”
“Just a few days,” Arielle said thoughtfully. “We just need to go over the foundations so Elariya feels comfortable in her magic by the time we see the archmage.”
She turned toward me again. Outwardly, I kept my expression calm. But inside, my thoughts were racing.
Training meant power. Power meant options. And options meantescape.
I knew from the get-go that I couldn’t leave this place without knowing how to use my magic.
I’d done a lot in Morgäven and I felt magic coursing through me more powerful than even days ago, but the curse had robbed me of the basic knowledge I’d gained last month.
I needed to get back to where I was,fast. And I preferred to do it alone. Time was limited, and I didn’t want Arielle watching me while I put an escape plan together. She’d see too much and ask the wrong questions.
She’dknowwhat I was up to.
“I’d like some time on my own first,” I cut in.
As expected, Arielle looked hurt.
“I’d prefer to review my notes first,” I continued.
It was a reasonable request and exactly the sort of thing someone in my positionshouldsay.
“Very well,” Wolfe agreed after a moment of silence. “Have the next two days.”
Relief settled in my chest. This was good. It was astep. If they believed I was preparing for training, they wouldn’t suspect anything else.
Arielle glanced at me but I averted my gaze on purpose.
I understood that the situation wasn’t her fault, but my disappointment in her promises still sat too deep. Memory or not, I’d taken her for a friend. Knowing that she was bound to Wolfe meant I couldn’t trust her the way I wanted to. The way Ineededto.
“The Bloodsworn and I will take care of everything else,” Wolfe said, changing the subject. “We’ve had two massive attacks and other disturbing incidents weeks apart. We need to be more careful than ever. The Seer counseled that the enemy may not be at full strength as yet, but we need to be mindful that the day will come when they are.”
“We just need to make sure we’re ready for them,” Garrick stated with conviction.
“Indeed,” Bastian agreed.
The conversation continued with more of the plans Wolfe had to secure the place and ensure our safety but I zoned out, thinking about what I had to do.
Magic was the key. I’d already tapped into it so I just needed to reacquaint myself.
I would do so the moment this was over.
My attention drifted back to Wolfe when Alaric asked a question about the manor. I wasn’t paying attention to Wolfe’s answer. I was simply looking at him, wondering how he felt it was okay to keep me here.
