Syneca’s face remained carefully neutral, but I saw the pulse jump in her throat. “A locator spell requires a connection to the target. Something they’ve touched or bled on.”
“I’m aware.” My father pulled a small cloth bundle from his desk drawer. When he unwrapped it, Vitoria’s dagger gleamed in the lamplight. “This should suffice.”
“And if the spell fails?” she asked quietly.
“Then we’ll know exactly what that means, won’t we?” My father’s smile was all teeth. “That either you lack the skill you claim, or your loyalty to this hunt isn’t as absolute as you’d have us believe.”
Syneca stared at the blade for a long moment before nodding once. “I’ll need space. And you won’t mind if I use water, I presume.”
My father gestured at the map on his desk. “Proceed.”
She took the map and knelt on the floor with that particular grace she had. The dagger lay before her, and she pulled a small vial from her pocket, water she carried for exactly this kind of situation.
“Locum,” she whispered, her hands moving in precise patterns above the blade.
Water rose from the vial in thin streams, coiling around the dagger like serpents. The magic hummed through the room, andI had to grit my teeth to bear it. The magic the witches carried was just wrong. Too powerful, too accessible. Syneca’s eyes closed, her breathing deep and measured as she poured power into the spell.
The water spun faster, forming a sphere around the blade. Inside it, shapes flickered into streets, buildings, shadows that might have been people.
Then the sphere collapsed.
Water splashed across the floor, the magic dissipating like steam. Syneca opened her eyes, breathing hard.
“It’s not working. Either the connection isn’t strong enough, or... or she’s blocking the spell somehow.”
My father’s hand moved to the back of his neck, rubbing it once before he caught himself. His eyes closed for just a moment—a breath, maybe two—before he opened them again, his familiar icy mask back in place.
I wasn’t concerned. But I was making a mental note. My father didn’t show weakness. Ever. Not in front of subordinates, not in front of enemies, certainly not in front of witches he was trying to intimidate.
“Interesting,” he said finally. He waved a dismissive hand. “You’re all dismissed. Return to Chancellery House and await further instructions.”
Everyone began filing toward the door.
“Wickett. Stay.”
I stopped mid-step while the others continued out. Calder glanced back once, a pointed look crossing his scarred face as he closed the door.
My father returned to his desk, picking up his stylus and returning to whatever document he’d been working on. The silence stretched. One minute. Two. The familiar game.
Finally, without looking up: “Report on the fury-born’s death. Every detail.”
I recited with no mistakes, keeping my voice level and factual. “Eda Mire was found face down; a single blade wound to the spine. No defensive wounds, no signs of struggle. The kill was professional. One strike, perfectly placed. Death was instantaneous.”
His stylus scratched across parchment, recording data without reaction.
I continued. “The weapon was Vitoria Nindle’s second dagger, matching the one used in the attempted murder of the Oracle. Based on blood temperature and rigor, time of death was approximately two hours before we arrived.”
More scratching. More silence.
“The water witch showed unusual grief for the Mistress of Blades,” I added, immediately regretting the observation when my father’s eyes lifted to meet mine before sliding to the door.
“Emotional attachment to targets suggests compromise.” Not a question. “You vouched for her at the gate.”
“She’s oath-bound. Her death would weaken our hunt.” I kept my voice steady, professional. “It’s tactically unassailable.”
“Yourhunt,” my father corrected. “I have morereliableassets pursuing the Phoenix through proper channels. Your group will serve as a visible distraction while other hunters work.” His casual dismissal of our sworn mission hit hard. Perhaps I would have been more useful on the other team. “The witch tried to refuse the search protocol today.”
“Yes, sir.”
