Angelique scurried up the steps, climbing onto the dais that was almost washed out due to the brilliance of the light that shone aboveit.
Five enchanters and enchantresses stared Angelique down. (The sixth, Lazare, was still snoring on hisdesk.)
Primrose was the first to speak. “Ciane, Angelique? An entire city?” She sighed and lookedsorrowful.
“I was directly appealed to by Princess Alessia and Prince Consort Filippo, as well as the Magic Knights of Sole,” Angelique said. “They were concerned about the mental state of King Giuseppe and the upheaval effect Princess Rosalinda’s slumber was having on thecountry.”
“You put an entire city to sleep—thecapitalof Sole, no less,” Enchanter Crest said. “You should have appealed to us before doing anything sodrastic.”
“There wasn’t time,” Angelique said.Which has seemingly become a theme in my life.“There was no way I could return here and make the trip back to Sole. If I hadn’t arrived when I had, there’s no telling what King Giuseppe would havedone.”
“We don’t entrench ourselves in politics, Apprentice,” Enchantress Galendra said in a lecturingtone.
“Even to save acountry?” Angeliqueasked.
“You stomped all over rules and traditions long held by the Veneno Conclave,” Enchantress Primrose gentlysaid.
“Something you’ve done with aplomb in your master’s absence,” Tristisim addeddryly.
“Because I’ve had no other choice,” Angeliquesaid.
“There is always a choice, Apprentice,” Feliciennesaid.
Crest sighed. “I have tried to support you, but you grow more and more bold in youractions.”
“Because the tragedies striking our lands are growing,” Angelique said. “I did not seek to enchant Ciane for thefunofit!”
“Be careful with your words, apprentice,” Tristisimwarned.
Angelique sucked in a breath of air and gritted her teeth. She forced herself to take out the sting and sarcasm she so wanted to use. “Ciane was in a state of emergency.” Her voice was admirably calm, not betraying the frustration that rocked in her. “If I followed Veneno Conclave law, the entire country might havefallen.”
“I understand you meant well,” Primrose said. “But can’t you see how dangerous it would be if we let all mages run around, using their power however theylike?”
“We have rules and regulations to keep the continent safe,” Tristisim said. “They have withstood for centuries. Do you really think you are wiser than all those who passed before you?” He slammed his fist down on his desk, wakingLazare.
“Arrest them!” Lazare shouted. He blinked owlishly down his long nose and smacked his lips. “Hmm? What’s Evariste’s apprentice doinghere?”
“She was ordered to appear before us,” Primrose loudly said so the elderly enchanter could hear her. “For putting all of Ciane under a sleepingenchantment.”
“What a terrible idea.” Lazare yawned and scratched his beard. “Would have been far easier to sink itunderwater.”
Tristisim shifted a disturbed gaze to Lazare, but Primrose merely patted the old man’s hands. “She’s here because she broke our core belief and involved herself with countrypolitics.”
Lazare squinted in the light. “I thought we called her here because she scares us with her sheer amount of power, and we have to keep her inline.”
Hallowed Hall was silent for several long and uncomfortablemoments.
Angelique curled her hands into fists.Don’t cry, she told herself.I knew they feared me. It was inescapable.And yet, Lazare’s words were a dagger to herheart.
They, the Council of the Veneno Conclave—some of the most respected magic users in the community—feared her. It was something she had long known, but to hear a Council Membervoiceit was a differentthing.
“Don’t be silly, Lazare,” Primrose finally said. “She’s a sweetgirl.”
“One who throws around enough power to put an entire capital to sleep,” Tristisimmuttered.
Felicienne shook her head. “I said she was dangerous,” she said with enough fire to show she’d been holding back for a while. “To be able to use such power on awhim?”
“Having power isn’t dangerous,” Clovicus said. “Evariste or myself would be capable of putting Ciane to sleep aswell.”
