Angelique very carefully avoided the part of the fortress that held Hallowed Hall, and instead stuck to the administrationbuilding.
For the first time since Evariste was captured, she entered the Assignment and Appointments Department, which was responsible for arranging mage assignments and approving requests for magical aid throughout thecontinent.
Two mages were at the desk, a young man and a young lady. The man wore thick robes despite the warmth of summer, bronze-framed spectacles, and had a slight hunch to his shoulders even though he appeared to be in his earlytwenties.
The female mage was pretty with shiny, copper-colored hair that she twirled around her finger as she smiled brightly at her co-worker. “You look so handsome when you’re concentrating onwork.”
The man muttered something under hisbreath.
“What was that? I couldn’t hear what you said, Alfonso.” The woman practically purred as she leaned closer tohim.
The man’s face turned bright red, and he made a show of scooting his chair away, making his co-workerchuckle.
The woman noticed Angelique’s entrance and winked at her, holding up a finger to request her to wait a moment. She watched the man—Alfonso—finish scratching out a sentence on a small slate. “Shall I transcribe that for you? Though I do solovewatching youwrite.”
Alfonso pushed his glasses farther up his nose, but they dropped down again immediately. “Someone is waiting to speak withyou.”
“Can’t you speak to her? It’s so attractive when you takecharge.”
“Sinèad,” he huffed inexasperation.
The woman smiled like a smug cat, then finally swiveled to face Angelique. “Thank you for waiting, Apprentice Angelique. Welcome to the Assignments and Appointments Department. How can we help you thisday?”
Angelique blinked, surprised. “You know who Iam?”
“Of course! Everyone knows of Enchanter Evariste’s loyal apprentice who searches diligently for him!” The woman, Sinèad, breezily flung an arm into the air with a smile. She almost smacked Alfonso with the gesture, but he ducked her hand without taking his eyes off his slate. “So, how can we help you?” Sinèad propped her chin on her hands and smiled invitingly atAngelique.
Angelique glanced between the two before continuing cautiously. “I have just come back fromRingsted.”
That got Alfonso’s attention. He put his chalkboard down and frowned at her. “You made it through thestorms?”
Angelique shook her head. “No. I crossed the ChronosMountains.”
Sinèad whistled. “And how did you manage that? It takes more than guts and magic to get through that forsakenrange.”
“I rode a magical mount,” Angelique said. “But I’m afraid I have dire news ofRingsted.”
Alfonso narrowed his eyes. “What isit?”
“I encountered a selkie princess. She said the storms are the work of a sea witch. The selkies have tried capturing her, but she keeps giving them theslip.”
Sinèad frowned. “Thatisbadnews.”
“Unfortunately, it only gets worse.” Angelique rested a hand on the desk. “The sea witch is working with some humans—I am not sure to what end, but I assume it can’t be for the betterment of thecountry.”
“Given its forced isolation from those storms, I’d say that’s a safe assumption,” Alfonso drylysaid.
“Do you know which selkie princess it was that you spoke to?” Sinèad pulled out a scroll of white paper and several different parchments, then retrieved an inkwell and aquill.
“The youngest, Dylan.” Angelique hesitated.This is going to get me hauled before the Council for certain, but it’s important information.“Her pelt was stolen by the humans working with the sea witch. She requested that I seal her voice so the sea witch would not be able to use her pelt against her and force her to use her singing magic. She planned to find the humans that have her pelt and stay with them until she can reclaimit.”
Alfonso made a strangled noise, but Sinèad was all business, nodding as she started to write out several missives. “Understood. Will you submit a formal report before you leave the VenenoConclave?”
“I can,” Angelique said. “Though there isn’t much else to say—unless you want my observations of the storms.” She hesitated. “How soon will a mage be sent, do youthink?”
Alfonso frowned. “That’s difficult to say. We’re getting an influx of requests for help rightnow.”
“Yes, but this is anentirecountry in duress,” Angeliquesaid.
