“Will I be able to control multiple monsters at once, like Gabby can?” I asked. She’d controlled dozens of monsters all at the same time on the night of the Slaughter of the Innocents, when she’d set them loose on the city.
“In time,” Magdalina replied. “We will keep practicing until you will be able to manage the minds of many monsters at a time.”
I relaxed. I finally felt like I was getting on Gabby’s level. We needed to be equal if I was going to fight her.
“Could this power also be used to overpower the minds of fae, and other supernaturals?” Arthur questioned. “The war would end quickly if Emma could control Gabby’s mind.”
“Mind control has never been done by a fae, save for overpowering the minds of monsters,” Magdalina replied. “Supernaturals are not animals, and their thoughts are that much more complex. People aren’t as easily manipulated. Vampires are able to compel others, but their brainwashing powers are considered to be exceptionally rare in the magical world. A faerie has never been able to control the mind of another Marked or Companion. It’s never been done.”
“Butisthere a way?” Delmare pressed. “Emma isn’t your average sorceress.”
Magdalina’s look was pondering. “If Emmalinecoulddo it, the energy to attempt the spell would most likely kill her. Best to stick with that of what we know she can do without severe consequence.”
I nodded, feeling more capable than ever. I wasn’t a master at overpowering the will of monsters quite yet, but with enough practice, perhaps I’d be able to wield an army of them against Gabby one day.
With Lady Magdalina’s instruction, I could become the most powerful sorceress in Malovia.
I only hoped it would be enough to win this war.
Chapter Seven
Ethan
“Your report, Lord Bennett.”
Lord Bennett stood from his chair, and placed his hands upon the surface of the council table. The eyes of the Circle were upon him as he cleared his throat. “Sire, I’m happy to say that our border wall is stronger than ever. Our Marked have fixed the holes in the barrier, and as we speak, Companions are being dispatched to kill or return the monsters that escaped the perimeter of the country. We should have all monsters back within our borders and a sturdy ward around the country before the end of the month.”
“Excellent news.” Since being installed as king, I’d been working on repairing the border wall around Malovia with our top sorceresses. The Black Claw and my cousin had done their damage, weakening the protective ward around Malovia so monsters could freely roam through it in an attempt to intimidate supernaturals and humans alike. Their goal had been to destabilize the region and damage our alliances with other magical beings.
The cult and Elijah had been hoping to provoke another conflict, so the fae could use it as an excuse to attack and enslave the other races. But their efforts were futile now that I’d ascended to the throne.
“Monsters have donesomedamage over the past year, but nothing that can’t be solved without negotiations with the magical settlements around Europe, or forgetting spells we could use on humans,” Lord Bennett said. “From what we uncovered, most of the monsters hadn’t made it far from Malovia, preferring to hunt in the wildernesses of Poland and Slovakia, where it was a rare chance they’d be spotted by any humans.”
“We got lucky,” Stefan said, nodding in thought.
That was to say the least. In today’s modern age, it would have only taken one video of a monster posted online to expose the entire supernatural world. My cousin had loved to play with fire. I had thought his actions would become clearer to me now that I was king and could understand the position he’d been in, but now, his former rulings only seemed to be the work of a madman.
“And what about Gabriella?” Lady Bella asked. “She might break down our border wall again, to distract us. We’ll be busy trying to repair it while she continues to train her troops.”
She was a good choice for my council. Lady Bella was sharp, and no detail got past her.
“She’d have a tough time of it, figuring out how to slip out of her fortress without being caught,” Lord Eryk replied. “We have her fortress surrounded by small battalions on all sides. Anyone trying to sneak past to the border wall would certainly be caught.”
We’d stationed troops about a mile or so off from Gabby’s fortress. It wasn’t enough to force Gabby to make a move, but was meant to send a message. The moment she or her army left their fortress, they’d be forced to do battle. We’d cut off all supply chains to the fortress months ago, but our spies reported that things at the fortress were still running smoothly. They should be feeling the effects of starvation by now, and yet, there were no signs.
“What about portals? Is she getting supplies that way?” Lord Bennett asked.
“It’s possible, but they’d have to make multiple portals several times a month for the amount of soldiers she’s housing, and that would expend a lot of energy for their sorceresses, leaving them weak and defenseless,” Lady Bella argued. “She wouldn’t take that risk.”
I wasn’t sure how she was getting food and weapons for her army when we had her blocked in. We were missing something.
“Have reparations begun with the Miriamic Coven, Lady Renia?” Emma asked, turning in her seat.
“I’m afraid not, your grace.” Lady Renia shook her head. “We have reached out to reconcile with them, and apologize for the witches we hanged at the start of the year. But all efforts to speak with the witches have been unfruitful. Their Imperium Council seems… preoccupied, at the moment.”
“Keep trying,” I said. “The witches must know there are new monarchs on the throne who are willing to give peace a chance. It’s vital we come to some sort of understanding.”
“The coven will never sign a treaty with us,” Lord Gray objected.
