“Of course,” Liliane continued. “We could keep trying to fight through Prince Severin’s defenses or even attack that wild wife of his. But this method will require the least effort and—if the mages handle it right—might even be able to make his murder appear politicallymotivated.”
“I see the wisdom of the plan.” Carabosso bowed his head. “As expected of you,Liliane.”
Evariste clenched his jaw.I thought Liliane was the mastermind because the others were scared of her, but perhaps I am wrong. They seem to respect her in some twisted way. She seems more strategic than Suzu and the others…maybe that’s her skillset—more than the creature-conjuring.
Liliane dabbed more paint onto the canvas. “I’ve already dispatched two mages to handle it. They are young and relatively new recruits, but given that they will be attacking an unprepared target, I havehopes.”
“And if theyfail?”
“Then we’ll use what little theydolearn for our next attack.” Liliane set her brush aside with asigh.
“What isit?”
“We’re in a precarious position at the moment,” she said. “Attacking Prince Lucien is the only move we can truly make right now. Acri is still chasing after Apprentice Angelique, and Rothbart claims he needs more time to properly attack Kozlovka. I don’t enjoy being in a position of ignorance. I’m positive that no matter the outcome we can use it to our advantage, butwe’renot supposed to be the ones who feelblind.”
Carabosso’s boots scraped the ground as he turned in a circle. “Can’t the mirror your pet enchanter is trapped in function like a magic mirror if you use his magic? You could check on Rothbart—orAcri.”
“Rothbart’s castle is guarded just as closely as our caves, I’m afraid,” Liliane placed a hand on her cheek in an expression of disappointment. “That man isparanoid.”
And rightly so if his accusations are even partiallycorrect.
“However, there are other mages I would like to checkon.”
Evariste shut his eyes again when he saw Liliane rise, the cascade of her gold hair falling over hershoulder.
The pair’s footsteps grew closer, pausing just in front of hismirror.
“Worm,” Carabosso said in an imperious tone. “Stand.”
Evariste didn’tmove.
“Funrus drained him of his magic earlier,” Liliane said. “It fatigues Evariste for many hoursafterwards.”
“Is it our duty to worry how tired he is?” Carabosso kicked the frame of the mirror. “Wake up,enchanter.”
As if that accomplishes anything.But it’s probably about time to start waking up, or they’ll be suspicious if I stay out longer than normal.Evariste groaned and slowly covered his face with hisarm.
“He’ll be practically comatose for a while longer, but we can still harvest more magic from him.” When Liliane began yanking some of his magic out of him, he no longer had to play up his pain, and instead growled and clutched his achingchest.
“What will you first check on…” Carabosso trailed off and looked over his shoulder. “Was thatshouting?”
“I don’t believe I heard anything.” Liliane’s fists were surrounded by blue trails of Evariste’s magic. “But would you be a darling and check onit?”
I’m not sure what hurts worse—getting my magic forcibly yanked from my soul or seeing it in Liliane’s clutches.Evariste glared at her as his muscles spasmed out of hiscontrol.
Carabosso took a step toward the cavern entrance but paused when the raised voices grew louder. “What—”
Acri dragged himself into the room, shedding snowflakes from his hair and shoulders and shivering. Suzu was hot on hisheels.
The war mage looked ragged. In fact, he looked downrightbeaten.He had several bleeding wounds and a nasty-looking bruise at the corner of his mouth, and he moved with a slightlimp.
What most relieved Evariste, though, was that the brat wasn’t smug or even content. Rather, his shoulders were slightly hunched, and his red eyes were at half-mast when he glanced in his mother’sdirection.
“Acri!” Liliane’s voice was flushed with warmth. She dropped Evariste’s magic—leaving it to float uselessly around the surface of his mirror—and approached Acri. “My dear son, you are hurt. You should see that your wounds are tended to first before you tell us of your triumph.” She reached out to put a hand on his cheek, but heflinched.
Evariste only half listened as he stared at the cloud of his magic.I’m cut off from reaching it…but if it’s just sitting there, could I possibly controlit?
He glanced at Carabosso—confirming the mage’s attention was on the drama playing out between his leader and her son—then pressed his hands against his mirror’s surface and held his breath, too afraid tohope.
