“I’d like to go home,” Angeliquesaid.
Clovicus raised his brows. “Back to the place where you wereattacked?”
“I might be able to find something, and Roland…” Angelique swallowedthickly.
“Ahh, yes, your cat. I’m afraid the squadron saw no sign of him, either.” Clovicus drummed his fingers on the table. “You are free to take the portal back to the house, but I want you to check in with me daily until we get this sorted out. I expect the Council will make a statement on it within a week or so. Do youagree?”
Angelique nodded. “Yes, LordEnchanter.”
Clovicus sighed and mashed his thumbs into his eyelids. “I’ll send word to Sybilla. You can likely expect to see her soon. But before you go anywhere, I want you to finisheating.”
Angelique considered objecting, but her stomach still growled, and she had a feeling that if she said anything, Clovicus would reconsider letting her gohome.
I need to care for myself—which means making sure I don’t collapse—or they’ll never let me staythere.
Angelique sucked a breath of air in and eyed the tray before she bit into her slightly smushed ryeroll.
And I need to be ready. When they figure out who took Evariste, I will go with the mages they send out to recover him—whether they want me to ornot!
* * *
True to his word,Clovicus let Angelique return home after she finishedeating.
When she stepped through the portal, mages still swarmed thehouse.
They had replaced the windows in the front salon and the front door and repaired the damage inflicted on the walls—though the furniture was stilltrashed.
While the mages performed spells and searched the woods surrounding the house, Angelique searched the house—again—this time looking forRoland.
After crawling through every room, she was forced to admit that the talking cat was nowhere to befound.
Why did I put that collar on him? He can’t even call for help!Angelique groaned as she sat down in front of the fireplace in theworkshop.
“ApprenticeAngelique?”
“Yes?” Angelique twisted in time to see Lady Enchantress Lovelana clear the topstep.
The beautiful enchantress carried a large wooden box, but she glanced curiously around the workshop. “Have you noticed anything missing—any materials or possessions that may have been stolen when Evariste wastaken?”
“Besides my cat?No.”
Enchantress Lovelana sighed. “I see.” She glanced down at Angelique, who was sprawled out on the floor in front of the fireplace. She cleared her throat and asked a little awkwardly, “Are you allright?”
Angelique met her gaze. “Evariste isgone.”
Enchantress Lovelana winced. “Yes. Well. I’ll have more questions to ask you. I’m here to consult the mages investigating this matter. The Council wants to see if I—as an Enchantress—will notice something theymissed.”
“Oh,” Angelique blinked insurprise.
Lovelana’s core magic is healing. I would think someone like Clovicus would be a better choice forthis.
“The squadron is still searching, but they came across this when they went through Evariste’s room.” The Lady Enchantress handed Angelique the woodenbox.
“Thank you,” Angelique dully said. She took the box and set it on the ground next toher.
“It’s for you,” Enchantress Lovelana added, “fromEvariste.”
Great. Now I want to look at it even less. It’s probably from before ourfight.
