One of the wizards tried to channel magic. She produced a tongue of fire, which instantly snuffed out.
More House Tellier wizards tried to produce magic, they were only capable of small bits of magic—a tiny spark of electricity, a candle-flame, an ice-cube sized bit of ice.
“What’s going on?” Tetiana asked.
“I think…I think the House cut them off,” April said. “A House—no matter how far you are from it—fosters your abilityto wield magic. Wizards are a lot less powerful when they’re unattached.”
Juggernaut scratched at his elbow, worry widening his eyes. “Alotless powerful,” he repeated as the Tellier wizards started shouting.
Hazel released the bolt of lightning she’d been channeling—an unnecessary defense as the wizards and House were no longer a threat to us—and her black wizard tattoo faded from her face and Killian’s. “The House is rejecting the Telliers.”
“A House without wizards.” Captain Reese rubbed her forehead. “The Wizard Council is going to have kittens.”
Since wizards weren’t my specialty, I stepped off the sidewalk and into the street to give more space to those who would be stuck handling this situation. Considine followed me, draping his arm over my shoulder.
“Blood—Ruin!” Iris shouted.
Considine and I turned together and had just enough time to brace before Iris slammed into us.
“You’re safe now, Iris,” I said. “They’ll give you potions, and the police will be called.”
Captain Reese cocked her head, channeling more of her wolf-like energy than usual. “The police?”
“She’s the missing woman, isn’t she?” Orrin joined us on the street, studying Iris. “Iris Delphini?”
Iris hesitated, then nodded her head.
Vale was slow to approach us, and he bowed his head slightly to Iris. “I greet you, Iris Delphini, and I vow that I will not harm you,” he said. “I can see, now, why there was no trace of you. You’ve been living as a human. I’d imagine the last few months have been horrific for you, but we should get you to the Curia Cloisters.”
Iris backed up, then darted behind Considine and me. “I’m not going anywhere without Blood and Ruin,” she said.
Vale blinked. “Who?”
Iris pointed to me, then Considine. “Blood…and Ruin.”
Vale studied her. “Iris, you’ll need to be registered. It’s for your safety as an oracle.”
Iris’s heartbeat must have kicked up, because Considine glanced at me out of the corner of his eye, but he didn’t need to—her fear was almost palpable.
We exchanged nods, and when Vale took another step toward us, he blinked.
In that moment I whipped my gun out, and Considine slipped the dagger he’d borrowed from me off his belt.
Vale froze, his eyes skating over the blood spatters on my clothes, and Considine’s glowing red eyes.
“It’s fine, Vale.” Captain Reese clapped him on the back and smiled wanly at me. “These two take their roles seriously, and we did charge them with protecting her. Jade, Considine, well done. Thank you for successfully freeing Ms. Iris.” She paused, and I could tell she was trying to figure out how to phrase her next words.
“Their shift is over,” Sarge flatly said. “They’ve done enough.”
“Yes,” Captain Reese agreed. “They have done profoundly more than I’d ever expected, and they thoroughly deserve a vacation. But…Ms. Iris…”
“I’m staying with them,” Iris flatly said. “I saw them—in visions. I didn’t see any of you, so I’m not going to trust any of you. But I’ve been seeing them since November.”
November…that’s when Considine and I became partners.
Vale shifted in place, a look of interest flitting in his eyes. “What did you see that makes you trust them?”
“I sawthem,” Iris said simply. “The way they fight, the way they sacrifice—the way they hold Magiford together, like they did tonight. I saw that they were the only ones who would beable to rescue me, because Blood had proven her character to the House, and Ruin had proven his loyalty to Blood.”
