Karl stands straighter. He opens his mouth to speak, but no sound comes forth. That’s bizarre to say the least.
“I need a piece of paper,” he grits out.
Saxon raises his eyebrows. “What for?”
“I… I’m unable to say it out loud. I have to try another way.”
Ryker stares at him, calculating. “What’s with you? I sense a block has been placed on your mind.”
He does the fish-out-of-water thing again with his mouth.
Aurora jumps to her feet. “Holy crap. I can feel that too.”
“What are you saying? Did someone put a silence spell on Karl?” Lucca asks.
He looks pained now. His face is turning purple. Ryker steps into Karl’s space and flattens his palm on his forehead. Karl yells in agony.
“What the fuck!” I blurt out.
“What are you doing to him?” Vivi asks.
“Lifting the spell put on him,” Ryker replies.
Karl makes a fist with his hands, closing his eyes. Whatever Ryker is doing to him looks excruciating. After a moment, the warlock steps back and Karl falls to his knees.
Vivi rushes to him and touches his back. “Are you okay?”
“Give him a minute, lass,” Ryker says.
Suddenly, Karl pushes Vivi away and throws up.
“For fuck’s sake. That rug is going to reek for weeks,” Saxon complains.
“I’m sorry about the rug,” Karl apologizes to Lucca, his voice rough.
He waves his hand dismissively. “Forget about that. Is the spell lifted?”
Karl nods. “Solomon has a miniature version of the Taluah Mirror.”
No one speaks for several beats, and then Saxon breaks the silence. “I guess that answers your question, Luc.”
Lucca’s face twists into a scowl. “That sneaky weasel. No wonder he was in a hurry to leave after we returned from Ellnesari.”
“Maybe he doesn’t have it anymore,” Karl says. “He let me use it before I became Manu’s familiar.”
Saxon rubs his chin. “Hmm, I’d bet a limb that he still has the mirror.”
“So, what do we do now?” I ask, unable to keep my mouth shut any longer.
Ryker’s eyes spark with maniac determination. “We have a little chat with your friend.”
Thirty-Five
VAUGHN
“All right, gather around,” Ryker orders.
Shit, I’m not really keen to get near him. Besides, I need to call Sophie. “What for?”
