“I don’t think so,” she lied.
Elizabeth bit the inside of her cheek and resolved not to say a word about her headaches. The idea that she could actuallyhavemagic—she would think about the implications later. No good could come from handing a stranger a secret that could get her killed.
She thought of how many of the servants in her parents’ house knew about her headaches, and Elizabeth wondered if anyone had made the connection. If anyone suspected.
But shedidn’thave magic. She couldn’t cast a spell and had never made anything strange happen until the other night. It was much more likely that Ambriel had done something that could be rationally explained—at least, she hoped.
Oblivious to her spiraling thoughts, Risna continued kindly, “Then it’s unlikely that you’re a witch, and unlikely you have any magic.”
She tried to school her face into polite neutrality and not betray the feeling that she’d been drenched in ice.
“I see. Well … thank you for answering my questions.” Elizabeth paused. “Wait, I have one more,” she said hesitantly. “Just out of curiosity, are there any male witches? Humans can have either boys or girls. It seems a bit strange that all witches would be female.”
Risna grinned. “Male witches do exist. They are called warlocks. Warlocks are rare. Most children among witches are female as a gift from the Moon Goddess.” The woman placed her hands together in a prayer position and inclined her head. “The patron goddess of witches,” Risna explained.
“I understand,” Elizabeth said. “Can you be cursed or blessed by an angel?” she asked quickly, hoping to get an answer to her greatest fear at the moment.
Risna surveyed her with sharp brown eyes. “Yet another question, but I’m enjoying this conversation, so I’ll indulge you.” Elizabeth flushed, and Risna pursed her lips in thought. “Doubtful. It is typically demons who like deals. History is riddled with tales of humans who have been offered a ‘gift’ or ‘deal’ with the devil, only for it to turn out horribly. But I haven’t heard of an angel bothering to do the same. That’s more something I would expect from a demon.”
Risna gave her a concerned look. “If you made a deal with that demon on the hill, I would be careful. Demons are not known for their philanthropy.”
Elizabeth inwardly cringed. “Noted.” She paused. “You really don’t think it’s possible to be blessed by an angel?”
“It’s highly unlikely. Angels normally don’t care for humans.”
“But they’reangels,” Elizabeth said, mildly exasperated.
“Beings that care more for the greater good than about you and me as individuals, yes,” Risna said stubbornly.
While Elizabeth gathered her thoughts, a bell chimed.
She lifted her head and saw a woman her age enter the shop holding a large box.
Glancing between Risna and the newcomer, it was easy to tell they were related. Olive skin. Arched brows. Observant eyes.
“Your relation?” Elizabeth smiled at the girl in welcome. The young woman raised a dark brow but otherwise ignored her and headed to the back of the shop.
“My daughter.” Risna smiled.
Her daughter came back with tea, setting two cups in front of them before departing once more.
Elizabeth sipped her tea, promptly burning her tongue, and set it aside to cool.
“Where were we?” Risna asked, sipping her tea.
“If someone wanted to learn more about magic, where would they look?”
Risna was quiet for a minute, absentmindedly twisting a ring on her finger, looking lost in thought. Finally, she spoke, “Magic is something you can or can’t harness. I would tell this person to figure out if theyhavemagic, then worry about finding more information.”
Elizabeth leaned back in her seat and pursed her lips. She didn’t want to mention her worry about the headaches, but she also didn’t know if she would ever find anyone else who could tell her about magic. Carefully, she asked, “What does magic look like?” Risna blinked and surveyed her carefully. “I can show you, but I must warn you. Once you see certain things, there is no going back.”
Risna took a chunk of crystal with a pearly sheen from the shelf and returned to the table. She placed the crystal in the palm of her hand and looked at Elizabeth.
“Let me make my meaning plainer.” Risna’s voice was full of warning. “If you tell anyone what you saw today, your life will be forfeit. I will curse your name from here to the ends of Arboras.”
Elizabeth swallowed and nodded gravely. She understood the need for secrecy, but she was not afraid.
“I don’t see how that’s important. I think my eyes will fail me today, and I won’t remember what I’ve seen,” Elizabeth smiled and said jokingly.
