—I know that, you asshole. But she cut her some slack—
—If she wasn’t acting like an idiot, I would—
That’s fucking it.
Jumping to my feet, the chair clatters over behind me.
“Mr. Larsen? Problem?”
Fuck. I blink to clear the anger surging through my body.
“Did you get it, Max?”
Theo’s voice.
“Did you get the nasty bug? Ew, I hate spiders, they are so beyond gross. Thanks for totally saving my life.”
She also leaps out of her chair and throws her arms around me. The calm flow of Lumina stops my rage in its tracks. —Pull it together and you’ll get a good-boy treat later—
Fuck.
Even though my hands itch to tear at her clothing, I release her and give myself a shake. “No worries, little lady. Always happy to help a damsel in distress.”
“I’ve had it with these interruptions,” Gimble snaps. “Once more and you’re out, Wilson.”
Surprisingly, François de Vaux steps into the fray by causing a distraction. “Pardon, moi,Madam Gimble, but I also am intrigued about the ascension ability to resist these spells. They are the most advanced the Conclave have,oui?”
He steps closer, almost into her space. “Could you try to spell me?” he asks, his tone lowering, almost like he’s trying to seduce the bitch of a teacher.
What the fuck?
“Do your best, Professor,” François continues. “I wish to see if I can withstand your…how do you say…highest endeavor."
Gimble blinks.
“Great idea.” Donovan leans back in his chair, putting his hands behind his head. “I want to see what I’ve got to look forward to. My mom has me scheduled for ascension real soon.”
Total lies, but I guess Gimble doesn’t know that.
“Fine, if you so wish, Mr. de Vaux. Which spell would you like me to cast on you?”
Without missing a beat, he responds with a show-stopper. “Something that will kill me, or rather, will kill an Elite who has not ascended.”
Fucking interesting.
I didn’t think such spells existed.
My eyes dart to Cosmo. —Is there such a thing?—
—Not to my knowledge—
Gimble looks uncomfortable but then squares her shoulders, a glint in her eye. “I’ll cast a spell that will incapacitate you. In fact, it will incapacitate everyone in this room—apart from the ascended. You all may attempt to stop me.”
Not giving anyone time to prepare, she starts.
Fuck.
The spell makes the atmosphere of the room thick and oily and a leaden feeling enters my body. A dragging paralysis starts at my toes and crawls upward.
