Angelique cleared her throat. “Given that we know such threats are out there, Prince Severin has requested that we take care of the sorcerer in Kozlovaka. As the sorcerer isn’t interfering with the royal family and is, instead, the terror of the countryside, fighting him would not strictly be against any Veneno Conclavelaw.”
She waited for several long moments, but no one saidanything.
Oh, please, don’t all rush me at once to volunteer.She fixed a delicate smile on her lips. “Who should go to investigate the sorcerer?” sheprodded.
Finnr shrugged. “Out of those of us present, the obvious choice is you. You have the time and freedom to do as youlike.”
“You are also the only one who can cover their tracks so neatly.” Sybilla sighed. “I’m sorry, dearie, but I’m afraid we’ll need you to look into thematter.”
Angelique wasn’t exactly surprised—she had been astonished Severin hadn’t just asked her to handle it. But she didn’t much care for the implication she was starting to pick up on. “I am a logical choice to investigate,” she agreed. “However, I cannot take asorcererdown bymyself.”
Firra sighed. “Donaigh and I would be game if it weren’t for Carabosso—that wretch is still running free. Unless someone would like totrade?”
The other mages avoided Firra’s gaze—except for Sybilla, who adjusted her spectacles, and Finnr, who lookedstony.
“Carabosso isn’t your assignment,” Finnr said to the firemage.
Donaigh rubbed his chin. “Yes, you ought to tattle on us to the enchanter in charge of us—oh, wait, that’sLord Enchanter Evariste, and he’sstillmissing!”
“Firra and Donaigh are rightfully occupied,” Angelique said. “I cannot request their help. So, it is still unresolved who will help me when I uncover enough information on thesorcerer.”
Sano scratched his belly. “Do you reallyneedhelp?”
Angelique’s voice left her for a few moments as she gaped at the healer. “Yes!” She tried not to snap when she could speakagain.
“You’re nearly at enchantress level, and you have war magic,” Sano said. “Is there a mage better suited to take on a sorcerer in theConclave?”
“As Mage Finnr has noted, I am still only an apprentice,” Angelique said. “And by order of the Council, I am not supposed to use my core magic. To be frank, I cannot imagine why you think it would be a good idea to send anapprenticeagainst a darksorcerer!”
“Ignore Finnr,” Sybilla said. “He’s just a sour puss. Everyone knows you’re at an enchantress’slevel.”
“Even so, it’s hardly fair to send Angelique in alone,” Stil said. “I’d go, but as a craftmage, I’m fair useless in combat. I can whip something up for you and whoever goes with you,though.”
Glaze crossed her legs at the knees and scowled. “If taking care of this sorcerer is so important to you, I think yououghtto goalone.”
Angelique shook her head but was silenced when Gemma abruptly set her embroidery down and fixed her gaze on the mages. “I don’t understand why you all insist on sendingonlyAngelique into dangeroussituations.”
“It’s mostly due to her core magic.” Sano smiled apologetically. “You see, she has very strong warmagic—”
“Please pardon my bluntness, but Stil has explained to me what Angelique’s magic is.” Gemma raised her chin, and her blue eyes turned icy. “But just because she can control weapons doesn’t mean you should use her as the Conclave’s private army. I’ve been told time and time again how valuable my work is to craftmages because of its quality. With her ability to control blades, Angelique should be able to carve or sew things—a beautiful and peaceful expression of her powers that you all seem intent on ignoring the possibilityof.”
Glaze snorted. “That’s because the idea of a war magecarvingsomething isridiculous!”
“Apprentice Angelique’s powers are best used in war,” Finnr said. “To explain it concisely, Apprentice Angelique becoming a carver would be similar to using a war horse trained to kill and fight to give pony rides. Theoretically it might be possible, but in reality, it cannot be done. The war horse has too much power and too much fire. Apprentice Angelique is made for bloodshed andwar.”
Angelique felt the blood rush from her face. Her ears rang, and the world swirled around her as she stared at thetabletop.
Made for bloodshed and war…is that how they really see me? As a beast whose only use is in fighting? I can understand fearing my magic and the depth of my power, but I didn’t know I had been so neatly cast into the role of barelyhuman.
Stil, Firra, and Donaigh stood so fast, they knocked over their chairs. Their shouts were too tangled to understand, but their anger was clear in their harsh voices and stiffstances.
“Finnr,” Sybilla frowned at the other mage. “That was poorly done—and toofar.”
Finnr shrugged. “I don’t see why you insist on coddling her and dancing aroundit.”
Sybilla rolled her eyes. “I don’t dance around it. I simply see she’s capable of more than war magic and treat her accordingly. Land’s sake—sometimes you’re awfully stupid.” She turned her sharp eyes onto Angelique. “He didn’t mean it, dearie. At least not the way it sounds. Finnr is a terrible communicator—it matches his terrible personality and is the shame of hisfamily.”
“Is he that far off?” Glaze asked. “They’re calledwar magesfor goodreason.”
