Sybilla kindly patted her hand and offered her a smile. “It won’t be long, dear,” shepromised.
“Don’t make promises you have no control over,” Clovicus said dryly. He sat on Angelique’s other side, his arms folded across his broad chest and his eyesnarrowed.
Sybilla shot him a look, then adjusted her glasses. “Ignore the grump,” she advised. “He’s still young andpetulant.”
Given how enchanters lived such long lives—and that Clovicus already appeared to be in his early forties—Angelique imagined not many would dare call him “young.”
Clovicus seemed to agree, for he barked a chord oflaughter.
Angelique smiled faintly, but her eyes were focused on the Council Members, who were taking theirseats.
I never thought I would so eagerly return to Hallowed Hall. But at least now I’m just part of theaudience.
The seating area meant for observers waspacked. Even though the only lights in the room were pointed at the Council Members and the mages who stood before them—the investigation team that had crawled around Wistful Thicket for two weeks before finally reporting back to the Conclave—it was still hot from the sheer number of magic users packed in thehall.
Angelique imagined the crowd was mostly due to Evariste’s popularity, but she saw several concerned faces—like Mage Finnr and one of Stil’s old craft magic instructors. They had likely come out of concern for the community as a whole, not just because they knewEvariste.
When the Council Members were all seated, Enchanter Crest—the youngest of them—cleared histhroat.
The hushed whispers and murmurs of the audience quieted down, and Angelique clutched the sides of her woodenchair.
“Today we, the members of the Council, who provide guidance and serve as leaders in the Veneno Conclave, are to give our ruling over the attack and kidnapping of Lord Enchanter Evariste of the Fire Gates,” Lord Enchanter Crestbegan.
Angelique swallowed thickly and leaned forward, waiting with batedbreath.
“Unfortunately, a thorough investigation has not revealed much or given us any hope.” Enchantress Felicienne’s brows were slanted with sincere pain as she looked from her fellow Council Members to the investigating mages. “We have been unable to uncover much beyond affirming the testimony of Apprentice Angelique, enchantress-in-training.”
“Lord Enchanter Evariste was taken from his home by a group of powerful renegade magic users,” Enchanter Tristisim rumbled. “They used illegal black magic, presumedly binding hispowers.”
“We have no information—besides Apprentice Angelique’s word and the magical remnants of their spells—that gives us any idea of their capabilities or number,” Enchantress Galendrasaid.
Enchantress Primrose’s lower lip trembled with feeling, and her eyes were glazed with tears. “While the disappearance of Lord Enchanter Evariste of the Fire Gates is a terrible thing, we unfortunately must foremost focus on the capture of those who kidnapped him—before they strikeagain.”
Angelique clenched her jaw but held her peace.I had expected as much—those black mages pose a rather dark threat. They need to be dealt with—but when they are caught, we’ll findEvariste.
“With the matter as grave as it is, we have decided to set up a committee,” Enchanter Crest announced. “The committee will be responsible for researching the spells we believe were used on Evariste, discussing our options in tracking the black mages, and authorizing mages to investigate leads andfacts.”
“They will also create and circulate reports on their findings,” Enchanter Galendra said, “to keep all members of the Veneno Conclave updated and to issue warnings of potentialdangers.”
“To aid them in their goal, the committee will be granted priority access to all Conclave library materials, manpower, and needed magical charms,” Enchantress Primroseadded.
Angelique frowned slightly as she listened.This sounds very good and all, but where is the action? Don’t things need to move more quickly? It’s already been weeks, and if we give these black mages enough time to regroup, what else will theydo?
Enchanter Lazare waggled his cane back and forth as he squinted at the investigative team. “The Committee will begin their responsibilities by investigating several reports of black mage activities—including one uncovered by Lord Enchanter Evariste himself in the city ofFillia.”
WHAT?Angelique stiffened.We took care of the black mages in Fillia years ago! They can’t honestly think they’ll find any new leadsthere!
“We will announce all members of the committee at a future date, but Enchantress Lovelana—who consulted for the investigation—has agreed to be involved, which is a great boon considering her power andposition.”
“Evariste’s capture was a terrible tragedy.” Enchantress Primrose wiped a tear from her eye as she spoke. “We failed to protect him. And while we shall continue the search for him, we will do our best to see to the safety of allmages.”
The other Council Members bowed their heads, thenstood.
“That’s it?” Angelique asked. She looked from Sybilla to Enchanter Clovicus. “That’s all they plan todo?”
Sybilla scowled, but Enchanter Clovicus furrowed his brow. “Angelique,” hestarted.
Angelique stood so fast, she toppled her chair. She wove through the audience members, then ran when she exited the seating area. “Wait!” sheshouted.
