Roland cleared his throat but did not struggle despite his precarious dangling position. “If I mightinterject…”
“Regardless of how you feel, youmustlearn to live with your war magic—and free it!” Evaristesaid.
The order made Angelique snort. “Over my deadbody!”
“To make Enchantress, youhaveto,” Evariste said, his voice a mask ofstone.
“Maybe, then, Iwon’tmake Enchantress!” Angeliquesaid.
“They’ll seal yourmagic.”
“That’sfinewith me!” Angelique shouted. “It’s not like my core magic is anythinggood!”
Roland twitched his tail. “This situation israther—”
“You’re being dramatic,” Evaristesaid.
Roland groaned. “You should not have said that,” he told theenchanter.
In her heart, Angelique knew Evariste was right. More than anything, she wanted to be an enchantress. Even now she didn’t want to give up on thatdream.
But the situation struck her as being incrediblyunfair.
He has rare and valuable portal magic. I can control weapons. Howdarehe try to lecture me about mypowers!
“Perhaps I am,” Angelique said. “Maybe Madame Quarrellous was right about me allalong.”
Evariste narrowed his eyes. “There is no way you believe those lies aboutyourself.”
“Theonly onewho thinks they’re lies isyou!” Angeliqueshouted.
“Perhaps we should adjourn this meeting,” Rolandsuggested.
“Fine,” Evaristesaid.
“Good,” Rolandsaid.
“Maybe you shouldn’t be an enchantress after all,” Evaristesaid.
“Why do you keep talking?” Roland growled. “You’re going tobunglethis beyondrepair!”
Angelique ignored her cat and instead glared at her teacher. “What are you talkingabout?”
“You have great power and great strength, Angelique.” Evariste took a prowling step towards her, looking fiercer than she had ever believed him capable of being. “But you are too frightened by what others think to free it and too cowardly to see exactly what your war magic could mean. So, fine. Run away andhide.”
The words hurt enough to bring tears to Angelique’seyes.
Evariste, however, didn’t see it. He stalked out of the salon, threw the front door of the house open and prowledoutside.
Angelique watched in her peripheral vision as he stalked across the porch. He shouted something and made a twisting gesture, and a portal blazed into existence. He was through it and shut it behind him before she had a chance to see where he hadgone.
The accusation hurt, likely more than Evariste meant for it to. Tears stung Angelique’s eyes, and she took a shudderingbreath.
Roland struggled in her arms until he was higher and could place his front paws on hershoulder.
“Ihatehim,” Angeliquewhispered.
“You might right now but not forever.” Roland purred deeply and didn’t complain when Angelique pressed her face into his softfur.
