Gasps rippled through the council, and even Clovicus swiveled so he could peer up ather.
“The continent is in danger, and I don’t have time for your lectures and suspicions. Deliver it in writing if you must, but I will not pause my work to give you a chance to soothe your fears that I am a monster under your control,” Angeliquecontinued.
Felicienne shook with anger. “We will send mages afteryou!”
Angelique smiled—not her polite one, but the amused smirk she usually hid. “Of course. When you can find Evariste so you can formally charge me, I will happily return. But until then, you’ll have to forcibly remove me from whatever palace and royal family I am working with at the moment. I’msurethey won’t mind you ripping away the only mage who is actively addressing their concerns andtrials.”
Tristisim slammed his fist on his desk again. “This is anoutrage!”
“I don’t care,” Angeliquesaid.
“Angelique, I understand your frustration, but you cannot ignore laws and rules,” Primrosesaid.
“Can’t I? You six seem to enjoy doing so,” Angelique blandlysaid.
Clovicus whistled and then lowlychuckled.
Felicienne sent him a poisonous look, but he only smiled benignly ather.
“I am finished with these sessions.” Angelique’s voice was hard as she glared up at the Council. “What will you charge mewith?”
The Council wassilent.
Clovicus casually fixed a fold in his robe. “Seems to me that since you haven’t been charged with black magic—only with breaking the rules—nothing can be done withoutEvariste.”
Tristisim glared athim.
“Good day, Council Members.” Angelique curtsied to them before she stormed down the daissteps.
None of them called for her—though Clovicus ambled after her—as she swept from theroom.
“That was quite the display,” Clovicus said after the door to Hallowed Hall shut behindthem.
Angelique paused long enough so he could catch up to her. “I’m tired of these games. Something is going on, and I no longer have the energy to waste on…this.”
Clovicus shrugged. “Perhaps, but I’m mostly glad you stood up for yourself. It bodes well forEvariste.”
Angelique frowned. “Why would that have anything to do withEvariste?”
Clovicus raised an eyebrow. “Iwonder.”
More puzzles that I frankly don’t have the energy to wonder over.Angelique shook her head. “Regardless, it’s finished.” She started down the hallway again, moving a little quicker than wasacceptable.
“What will you do next?” Clovicusasked.
Angelique straightened her shoulders as she felt for the first time in years—perhaps even the first time since the magnitude of her magic was discovered—free.
“Now,” Angelique said, “I see if we can make any sense out of these ‘incidences.’”
* * *
Evariste watchedLiliane through half-lowered eyelids as she set to work painting atroll.
He tried to stand up, but every muscle in his body protested, having just survived another draining in which Liliane funneled his magic for use of another dark spell. He licked his cracked lips and swallowed, cringing when it sent a spike of pain down hisspine.
Get up. Go insult her poor spells or something. Be an irritant. Don’t get placid!Though his thoughts railed at him, his body wouldn’tcooperate.
He was exhausted from the gray that invaded his sleep and waking hours, and he was in a lot of pain from being drained. The fight in him wasn’t quite enough to prod him to hisfeet.
