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The sun had just begun to peek over the horizon, still hiding behind low clouds and fog, when Mira walked to meet Obryn in his office. She had barely slept. What Dawson had told her kept spinning on an endless loop in her mind. Her fury against Corvin burned so hot, she was ready to take down the council. How had Dawson been able to take her to a stupid ball at the council building without trying to murder everyone there? His control was certainly better than hers.

When she entered Obryn’s office, she half expected to see Dawson leaning against the bookshelf in his usual spot, but it was just her and the Highmage.

“Now that we know what they’re after, we can follow a trail of information,” Obryn said as she took a seat. “Our advantage so far is that they haven’t figured out a way to install enthrallment incantations yet. They lack the expertise. My sources inside the council tell me their interest in ancient spells is increasing, and now I can see why.”

“What if we destroyed Mercer’s amulet?”

Obryn’s eyes narrowed.

“We could end Dawson’s enthrallment and their ambitions,” she continued.

“He told you about that?”

She nodded.

“I warned you not to get too close to him.”

“I’m not.”

“Secrets are power, Miss Winters. Giving them up allows others to exploit your weakness. He knows that better than anyone.”

Dawson had given up the secret of his permanent enthrallment, hoping it would set him free. How could the council convict him of war crimes when he didn’t actually commit them? But that secret had given Corvin the ability to control Dawson completely. He went from one prison to another.

“I’m not planning on using my knowledge of it against him.”

“Perhaps not, but it’s still a loss of control for him, which he values more than anything.”

She was well aware. The look on his face when he knew he had to tell her spoke volumes.

“The amulet can’t be destroyed,” Obryn said. “But even if it could, it isn’t connected to the enthrallment they’re trying to install in the other Wielders. The amulet is tied specifically to Mr. Dawson’s incantation.”

“Is there no other way to free him?” Mira felt her heart in her throat, the sting of tears threatening to fall.

“No. I’ve tried everything in my power. The enthrallment incantation cannot be removed because it’s tied to the amulet. On top of that, the amount of Dark Magic residue in Mr. Dawson’s previous wounds keeps the incantation in place. Don’t waste your time on his enthrallment.”

“There has to be a way to destroy the amulet.”

Obryn folded his fingers in front of his face, and his demeanor darkened. His Shadowflame flickered with anger. One by one, he cracked his knuckles, and the sound made her flinch. “All texts would refute you on the matter. But say the scholars are all wrong and you find a way to destroy it. The amulet currently belongs to the Primemage. Are you suggesting that you’re going to break in and perform some ancient spell to unlock it from him? I have to focus on the bigger picture—to keep Primemage Corvin from gaining an army of soldiers under permanent enthrallment. Perhaps you should focus instead on your own problems, Miss Winters? How is the progress with your scar removal going?”

She hadn’t talked to the Highmage about her findings, afraid of what he might say. Afraid he, too, would tell her there was no cure.

Obryn’s eyebrows furrowed like a pair of angry caterpillars. “May I remind you, it was you who asked for my help. I cannot give it if you do not share your work with me.”

She reached to open her bag, but the clasp didn’t want to budge. The Highmage grimaced at her attempts to force it open.

“Sorry,” she said, and it finally clicked free.

She opened her notebook to the page with her results and handed it to him. He leaned back in his chair and read them carefully.

When he finished, he returned the notebook to her, took off his glasses, and cleaned them on his tie.

“It’s connected with your magic.” He looked through his glasses, and when he wasn’t satisfied with the result, he continued cleaning them. “Which complicates matters further. I am not familiar with this level of interwovenness. I will look into it. For now, focus on Corvin’s mission with the enthrallment of Wielders…not Mr. Dawson’s.”

As she got up and walked to the door, Obryn added, “Oh, and, Miss Winters, I expect you back in combat class.”

—

Dawson avoided her all week. When she passed him in the hallways, he pretended she didn’t exist.