Clovicus is insane if he thinks I’m going to plan to use my war magic. But I think any more protests are just going to fall on deaf ears.Angelique let a slight sigh leak out of her. “I haven’t been able to find any leads on Enchanter Evariste’s location. I’ve been researching spells in hopes of finding something those on the committee haven’t usedyet.”
Clovicus nodded. “If I hear anything I’ll let you know, but I checked with Enchantress Lovelana this morning, and she had no words of encouragement,” he said, referring to the beautiful enchantress who was in charge of thecommittee.
“Thank you, Lord Enchanter Clovicus. I appreciate your aid,” Angeliquesaid.
Clovicus shrugged. “Seeing as Evariste was my student, I feel a bit responsible for you. And I know it would grieve him to see how you’ve struggled since hiscapture.”
Angelique wasn’t entirely certain on that count, due to her rather loud clash with Evariste about her magic before he was captured.But even though he was angry with me, he still threw me to safety and was hit by a spell aimed at me. With a nature that good, perhaps Clovicus isright.
“If you need anything, Angelique, whether it is aid with magic, general advice, or someone to stand with you when the Council calls you in again, call me,” Clovicussaid.
His certainty that Angelique would get called in again by the Council made her cringe, but there was truth in hiswords.
“Thank you,” Angelique said. “I greatly appreciate yoursupport.”
He offered her a smile. “What will you donext?”
“More research,” Angelique said. “I have some books to go through. Hopefully one of them will have something I canuse.”
Clovicus nodded and stood. “Very well. I’ll walk you back to Evariste’s office—unless you wanted to spend the dayhere?”
“No,” Angelique dryly said. “I would prefer to returnhome.”
Clovicus opened the door. “Very well, then. This way,Apprentice.”
Angelique once again fell in step behind Clovicus, although this time she carefully studied hisback.
I think he truly means his offer of assistance,she thought as she puzzled over his actions. The sick feeling in the pit of her stomach—brought on by the accusations of the Council—subsided, and Angelique relaxed slightly.Evariste might be missing, and Roland—Puss, that is— has moved on, but at least I am not utterly withoutallies.
* * *
The insideof the mirror was a watery gray.Everywhere.
There was no horizon line, no line distinguishing the floor from the ceiling, justnothingness.
The only thing besides the gray nothingness was the rectangular shape of the mirror’s surface, which served as a window into theworld.
The first few days Evariste had been in the mirror, he tried to walk away from that window, but no matter how long he walked, when he turned around, the spot was stillthere.
He could see directly out of the mirror and hear things. But even if he kicked the glass with his heel or rammed against it with his shoulder, the glassy surface held, keeping him captiveinside.
Evariste was flat on his back, staring up at the gray that filled the skyline.I wonder what Angelique is doing. How much time has passed since I wastaken?
Time was hazy inside the mirror. Days bled into one another, and nights were a smudge. Eating was unnecessary given the magic that held and sustained him, and he slept, but it was impossible to separate his waking hours from his sleeping hours, for the gray invaded there,too.
The one thing that was safe werememories.
Emery’s scoffs during the hours they spent riding through Alabaster Woods…Enchanter Clovicus’ growls and booming laughter during Evariste’s lessons as an apprentice. The grayness hadn’t yet started to invade those memories, but as months slipped past Evariste’s control, he feared it was only a matter oftime.
Evariste stared at the grayness.I think I just might go mad if nothingchanges.
He inhaled deeply, then shut his eyes and thought of Angelique. He recalled the pinched expression she put on her face if he suggested buying her a new wardrobe and the incredulous look she gave him whenever he referred to Stil as their child. He could almost hear her garbled squawks of outrage, and cracked asmile.
Of all his memories, those of Angelique were the only ones strong enough to make him smile in even these grimcircumstances.
Unfortunately, they’re also the only ones that make getting this curse off me less palatable. What will happen if Liliane is telling the truth, and the only way for me to get rid of it is to kiss Angelique? What do I tellher?
In his mind’s eye, Angelique’s expression switched from a smirk—for he had been recalling the way she affectionately pushed Stil around like an older sister—to an expression of rage, her eyes hot with an unforgivingfire.
