Sybilla shook her head. “It’s worse than you think. I found evidence that a Legendary Weapon from Sole was purchased through thisroute.”
“ALegendary Weapon?” Angeliqueyelped.
“Try to keep your voice down, dearie,” Sybilla said, as unconcerned as a summer day. “And yes. We’ll have to tell the King of Sole—once his granddaughter wakes up, that is. But the Legendary Weapon is just the tip of what I’ve found,too.”
She peeled back another branch of her bush and made a tisking sound. “Considering this is a transaction that was finalized on the black market and is now just waiting for the actual exchange, they undergo anextraordinaryamount of polite niceties,” Sybilla sighed. “I would have thought the illegal activity would have meant they wouldn’t have to follow such bosh. But it seems they are even more determined to observe all unnecessary drabble. Yet another reason why it’sdespicable!”
Angelique shook her head, trying to come to terms with the fact that the illegal market had grown so powerful.That a national treasure could be bought…howhorrible.
“Returning to your inquiry, I’m trying to poke holes in the market and, if I can, undermine it a bit,” Sybilla continued. “This pair are sealing an exchange—swapping a payment of gold for a magic lamp. Once I witness the exchange, I’m free to arrest—or punish—both sides.” She frowned and jabbed her finger at the woman, who was holding a small pouch. “And you can bet I’m going to lecture them for their longwinded talks. Come, now, stop hemming and hawing andgive him thelamp!”
Angelique studied Sybilla, taking in her sky-blue robes and hair that was still salt and pepper and had not yet faded to pure silver—though Angelique had known her for years. “I was unaware fairy godmothers were charged with this kind ofwork.”
Sybilla nodded without taking her eyes off the pair. “It’s true most fairy godmothers search out magically gifted children, but some do specialize in finding ancient artifacts. Our attunement to magic has multipleuses.”
“Including breaking up illegal traderings?”
Sybilla chuckled. “Well, there are some privileges that come withage.”
Angelique was not convinced. In fact, she was starting to suspect Sybilla was far stronger in her magic than most assumed. There was something to be said for her turtle-paced aging and that the Veneno Clonclave would send her out on missions like thisone.
“Galloping Gargoyles—I hope the lamp curses one or both of them. Tracking this latest batch of black-market exchanges has been dead boring, but this rates near the bottom.” Sybilla squinted in the dying light. “Did he just compliment her on the braid of herhair?”
“Should I leave and return once you have apprehended the pair?” Angeliqueasked.
“What? Goodness, no. I have time in spades until they decide they’re people of action. What did you need to see me for, Angelique?” Sybilla gave her the warm and kind smile that had first brought Angelique to adore the olderwoman.
Angelique released the breath she had been unaware she was holding. “I need your help—or rather, your influence. Prince Severin and Princess Elle are holding a Summit open to representatives from all the countries on the continent. The point of the Summit is to discuss the stirring of dark magic, and the trouble that’s been breaking out across the land, and hopefully strategize a plan to addressit.”
“Bravo,” Sybilla said approvingly. “And good forthem.”
“Prince Severin does not intend to send an invitation to the VenenoConclave.”
“I can’t say I blame him,” Sybilla dryly said. “Not with the astounding degree of uselessness we’ve been the past few years—your actions excluded, of course,dear.”
“I’m not surprised either,” Angelique admitted. “And even if he did extend an invitation, I doubt the Conclave would send arepresentative.”
“Wait, wait, wait. This might be it….” Sybilla eagerly leaned forward as the man and woman shifted. “…Or not.” She pushed up her spectacles and grumbled. “Perhaps they are new to this trade and are thus incredibly incompetent. Regardless…please, continue,Angelique.”
Angelique slowly nodded. “But the idea of failing to invite any mages—besides myself and Rumpelstilskin and a few other craftmages—to this Summit doesn’t sit well withme.”
“Oh?”
“Yes.” Angelique hesitated a moment. “Severin said something that bothered me. He thinks the reign of magic is ending, that we won’t be as important in thefuture.”
“You don’t like the idea of losingpower?”
“No, it’s more that those of us with magic are privileged, and we have a duty to help those we can. If it’s not our time anymore…if we’re not important…that means we aren’t helping others and are wasting ourgifts.”
“You’re not wrong,” Sybillaagreed.
“I asked him if I could invite, then, individual mages who are concerned with the continent and are aware something must be done aboutit.”
“I’d call you bold, but I’ve been told Prince SeverinandPrincess Elle would kill for you, so I suppose I owe you a ‘well done’instead.”
“You assume he saidyes?”
Sybilla snorted. “You’re here, aren’t you? Besides, after all you have done for him, he’d be a royal donkey if he refused you something solittle.”
