“Yes, the sea witch and some prancing man she’s working with have it. Or so say the men in the encampment that held me imprisoned until I broke out,” Dylan darklysaid.
“Were they all mages—or magicusers?”
The selkie shook her head. “Just the sea witch. The rest of them are alllanders.”
Humans—regular men—are working with a sea witch? That is grave and dangerous newsindeed.
“But I am my clan’s strongest singer, which means I have the strongest magic because we channel it through our singing,” the selkie princess continued, oblivious to Angelique’s horrible epiphany. “The sea witch and her cronies have my pelt; they will threaten me to use my voice and do their bidding. But I can’t, I have to refuse, and then they’ll destroy my pelt.” A few hot tears finally escaped Dylan’s eyes and rolled down hercheek.
Angelique cringed at the idea of the sea witch controlling Dylan. It was bad enough she was a selkie princess, but if she really was the best in her clan at magic…the witch could cause greatdevastation.
Dylan crouched in front of a tree, a more ashen hue settling into her bronze skin. “I am ruined, LadyEnchantress.”
Angelique tapped her lower lip.Magic can’t help her here, and all of this is dangerous if it means black magic users have found human allies. What damage could a sea witchandhumans working with her do while Ringsted is cut off from this? How can we changethis?
She forcibly ignored her desire to puzzle throughwhysuch a thing was occurring—there was nothing she could do about that at the moment but take it to someone wiser—like EnchanterClovicus.
Perhaps for now it would be best to turn the matter over to the selkies until I can get to the Conclave and send for help?Angelique folded her arms across her chest, then quickly corrected her posture and stood straight again. “Couldn’t you return to your people and tell them what happened? Surely they would storm thecamp.”
“Yes, and my pelt would be destroyed in retribution. Although perhaps I have earned it for my careless actions,” Dylan said in a dry and scratchy voice. “It seems it is the only course available to me, for I cannot remain near my pelt. They’ll use my voice. Unless…” She leaned forward and smiled eagerly atAngelique.
“Yes?” Angelique cautiously sat down on a log across from Dylan’s restingspot.
“Could you…takemy voice?” Dylanasked.
Angelique blinked. “I beg yourpardon?”
“Could you separate my voice from my body and takeit?”
Why is it that everyone I meet wants me to break magical laws that will cause trouble? Such a thing like taking a voice is undoubtedly among the blackest sort of magic there is! A voice is a means of expression, protection, and a declaration of being. I can’t justtakeit!Angelique squared her shoulders. “No, definitely not. It doesn’t work likethat.”
“Oh,” Dylandrooped.
Angelique watched her sag with discouragement.I can’t leave her like this. But I need to start north given crossing the mountains takes time, even with Pegasus. What could Ido?
Angelique racked her brain for a moment, until she finally recalled the collar she had made for Roland that sealed his voice. She knew the more advanced version—which didn’t require a collar of any sort. It just needed conditions to break the seal on her voice, since it wouldn’t slide off like a collarcould.
Reluctantly, Angelique said, “But…I could seal yourvoice.”
Dylan looked afraid to hope as she pushed her hair over her shoulder. “Sealit?”
“Lock it up, essentially. Make it so you are unable to utter anoise.”
“Yes! Oh, please,” Dylan said, sliding forward on her knees. “I’ll pay any price, just please, silenceme!”
It took all of Angelique’s self-control to keep from rubbing her eyes.This selkie seems impulsive.She kept her expression tranquil as she suggested, “Are you sure it is the wisest course of action? Shouldn’t you tell your kinsmenfirst?”
“This is my mistake, and I know I can make it right—as long as I am swift. If my voice is gone, I will be as useful as a rock to the sea witch and can wait for her and her minions to lower their guard. When they do, I will take back what is mine,” Dylan promised. “AndthenI will tell my clan. And tell them that the sea witch has humanallies.”
Oh yes, she isdangerouslyimpulsive.Angelique pursed her lips. “I don’t think it is wise to do thisalone.”
Dylan shook her head. “I don’t need help. Besides you locking up my voice, Imean.”
“Sealingit,” Angelique stressed. (Locking sounded a little too final for the fuss-budgets in the Conclave. Sealing, at least, meant the spell could bebroken.)
Dylan nodded eagerly. “Yes,that.”
I know it was my suggestion, but I’m still not sure about this. It seems to be a bit too fast. But how much trouble can she get into if I ride north and send word to the Conclave before heading to Sole to check in on Princess Rosalinda?Angelique held in a grimace. “Are you certain? Making a decision that will have an immense consequence on all of your kinsmen without their knowledge seemsunfair.”
