“Yes, yes, of course.” Ignatius is kind enough not to add the verbalduhto the end of his statement.
“Magister Parvolio, I think what Grayson is worried about is hurting his soulmate, Nix,” Finn offers. “Our mate is pregnant, and so far, when Grayson has used his magic, his soulmate has been affected as well.”
“A soulmate! Well, that’s a miracle, isn’t it? A full and complete soul—congratulations.” Ignatius scrubs his hands over his own portly belly. “As promised, the tests we employ will require little effort. Given Nimue’s initial teachings, we should be able to conduct them without impacting your mate.”
The trickle of concern Finn feels doesn’t let up at all at the reassurances, and it’s not so much a reflection on whether or not he believes the Magister at all. It’s entirely that this is an unknown, and Finn has never liked an unknown.
“We could check the app while we observe, Finn. That way, we’d know if Nix was in trouble. Would that settle your mind too, Grayson?” Leo suggests, even though Grayson can feel Nix more accurately than any app. At least this way, if the enigma is distracted, Finn’s technology will be a decent backup.
Grayson looks nervous, and perhaps it’s the idea of tests as much as Nix being in danger that’s affecting him.
“If you think it’s safe?”
“I do. Now, if your guardians will take a seat over there, we can get started.”
Ignatius directs Finn and Leo toward two straight-backed chairs in the corner behind a painted purple line.
“If you’ll stay behind the line, gentlemen, I’ve warded the area to protect against any stray debris.”
“Debris? Excellent,” Leo mutters.
Sitting, Finn pulls out the app, where he can see that Nix’s vitals are steady—the babies’, too, for that matter—although he can only see general health, not details.
Ignatius pulls out a box of earth, a feather, a candle, an hourglass, a withered plant, and a single large, gold glass marble.
“The International Guild recognizes twelve major Affinities, a few of which currently have no known practitioners at the Affinity level. You have already exhibited an unprecedented three to Luminary Nimue: Traveling, Air, and Fire. She suspects a fourth, but we’ll verify as we go along.”
Grayson ties his hair back with the elastic he keeps around his wrist.
“I have to admit, I’m nervous, sir.”
“Well, I must admit to being excited at the prospect of seeing you access The Plain. I will reassure you that there is nothing in the office that is not replaceable. Even Aldis.”
He waves toward the rafters, and for the first time, Finn sees a crimson bird napping—long, feathery plumes on its head and a tail that hangs down at least three feet below its perch.
“Is that a phoenix?” Leo asks incredulously.
“He is indeed. So, no matter what, stay behind the line, please. The rest of us will all live to tell the tale. I think.”
He claps again and sets the candle on the table.
“This should be the easiest, I imagine, given Nimue has yet to be wrong.”
Nimue rolls her eyes and draws her hands from her pockets as if preparing for any mishaps that might occur. Finn thinks heshould probably be worried—but witnessing his mate’s magic in use deliberately? He is only anticipatory…and a little turned on.
“You’ve nothing to worry about here, young Grayson. My Affinity is for fire, so I will make sure things stay as they should. Now, can you light the candle?”
In mere seconds, the candle is entirely aflame. The fire bursts from Grayson’s fingertips, causing Nimue and Ignatius to jump back at the sudden explosion of bright flames. The candle is not merely lit—it’s melted into a pool of wax on the table.
“Whoa, shit! Too much, too much!” Grayson squeaks as Nimue waves a hand, sucking the air from around the steadily growing blaze.
The room smells of patchouli, burnt wood smoke…and much like Grayson’s embarrassment.
“Excellent. Now, no concerns about the table—it’s seen worse. So…fire is a yes, wouldn’t we all agree? Now, let’s see if you have any feelings toward Earth.”
He lays the wide box of dirt in front of Grayson, and his fingers twitch at his sides.
“Wolf likes that.”
