“On the contrary, magic like this has been used in our justice system before the Non-Magic Age.You must be old enough to know this, Sir Archibald.”Crown Prince Bennett said.
I tried to wrap my head around the crown prince’s words.Magic like mine had been used in the justice system?It wasn’t considered wicked?“Others...had hypnosis magic?”I asked hoarsely.
Crown Prince Bennett nodded.“Yes, it’s in the records.That’s why we hired you.”He gestured to me.“If you please, Giselle.”
Sir Archibald choked out incomprehensible words.I swallowed past the dryness in my throat, eyes wide, as I considered what was happening.Beside me, Maddox gave an encouraging nod.
“As Your Highness commands,” I said, wondering at this new reality that put my hypnosis in a different light.Ma had said my magic was useless to the village.Perhaps it was only because witches were never meant to live in isolation.Perhaps we were meant to share our unique gifts with humans, to do good for our collective kingdom.As I reached into my satchel and pulled out the paper charm, I met the eyes of the man I was going to hypnotize.He had asked for this himself.For once, my hypnosis wasn’t being used against anyone’s will.
The memory of Christabella and her puppet doll resurfaced, but I shook it away.Things were different now.I was older, with steady command over my magic.I no longer drew my charms on skin, but on paper.I was in control.Just as wielding a sword didn’t make one a cold-blooded killer, using my magic didn’t make me wicked.I had command over myself and the things I chose to do.I always did.
Slowly, I approached and pressed the paper talisman to the assassin’s forehead.The man’s face slackened, and familiar magic tingled my fingertips, my throat, and finally, my voice.
“Speak nothing but the truth,” I said carefully.“Who ordered you to attack me last night?Where and when did you meet?”
The assassin’s mouth opened.“Sir Archibald of the King’s Council ordered me to attack you.We met at the Blackwing Tavern two nights ago.He came to me himself with the reward money.Told me about your hypnosis magic, but said you were afraid to use it, so it would be an easy job.I was to follow you and get rid of you, as you had learned too much about The Crown.He kept watch last night to see the job through, but left when I failed.”
Crown Prince Bennett nodded and gestured for me to end it.I removed the paper talisman, the tingles of my magic receding.The assassin blinked rapidly, then looked at Sir Archibald in triumph.“You see?I tell the truth!”
Sir Archibald blanched, a sheen of sweat coating his brow.He pointed a trembling finger at me.“That witch can’t be trusted!She must’ve coerced that man to say that!”
I scowled and crumpled the talisman in my hand.“That’s not how this charm works.He told the truth.”
Maddox removed something shiny from his waistcoat: Sir Archibald’s crumpled glasses.“If you insist on non-magic evidence, sir, you left this last night.Do you deny these spectacles are yours?We all saw you wear them two weeks ago.”
Sir Archibald parted his lips, but no words came out.He suddenly fell to his knees in a pool of bottle green robes.“Your Highness, have mercy!I only had Olderea’s best interest at heart.Sir Sylvester and I—”
“Archibald!I am appalled!”Sir Sylvester exclaimed.“This is no way to behave as a councilman.”
Sir Archibald gaped.“You—Sylvester!”He whipped his head to the dais.“Your Highness, Sir Sylvester has played a role in all of this.He was the one who started The Crown.He funds their newspapers, their members.One of them—a Prilla Lewis—he sent her down to that witch den to make trouble!He has been embezzling from the royal treasury!”
Crown Prince Bennett sat straighter at this.“Is this true, Sir Sylvester?”
“He’s accusing me blindly, Your Highness,” Sir Sylvester said, tugging at his oily beard.“He is not in his right mind.”
Sir Archibald’s face grew red.“I’m telling the truth and we both know it!”
“And what proof have you?”came the haughty response.
“I’m willing to have that witch use her magic on me!”
My brows raised.Two people in a row!This was certainly unusual.
Sylvester paled at this.“Archibald, what nonsense are you spewing?You said so yourself her magic cannot be trusted!You’d let that witch taint you with her witchcraft to wrongfully accuse me?”
“There’s no tainting involved,” I muttered.
Crown Prince Bennett held up a hand, silencing us.His brows were lowered forbiddingly.“If this is true, Sir Sylvester, then you are the one responsible for the missing funds in the treasury after my father entrusted you with its key?”
The councilman gave a nervous laugh.“Your Highness, please.You must know this is all a misunderstanding!”
The crown prince gestured to the royal guards standing at the perimeter of the throne room.“Take Sir Archibald and Sir Sylvester away.Detain them in the palace.My father will hear them this afternoon.”
More royal guards streamed in, taking the hired assassin, then the two councilmen by their thin arms despite their cries and protests.Curses were thrown at me, then at each other.The racket quieted when the throne room doors finally shut behind them.
Crown Prince Bennett pinched the bridge of his nose and blew a breath.“Where were we?”
***
