“No Earl Grey today, Librarian?” Benny asks, taking a seat at my desk with a wry look at the glass teacups I’ve conjured.
“Not this time, I’m afraid.” I pour the hot water into the matching teapot, willing my tiredness away as I watch the delicate jasmine petals unfurl.
Eddy purchased me these tea flowers on her excursion with Lambert last week. She may leave the Arcanaeum too often and spend far too much money on inept curios, but the gifts she brings me are thoughtful and appreciated.
Now, the meditative pause provides a welcome slowdown.
It’s been two days since Leo left. Two days since I sent him a letter explaining the situation with our bond, imploring him to be careful, and received no reply. Two days since his brother returned wrapped in bandages, uncharacteristically sullen, and benched for the next two games.
Thankfully, Jasper offered to take over treating Lambert, which means I’ve used most of that time to work on Leo’sdegraded runeform while fielding the ever-present demands of the patrons. An hour ago, I cracked it.
We can break the next layer today, if Leo will let us.
Dakari is meeting with his uncle but should be back soon. Pierce is with Eddy on another of her shopping trips, and Jasper is learning his part of the incantation. If I can just convince Benny to help us, we’ll have four arcanists capable of breaking the ensorcellment.
Then I can start work on the final layer.
“It’s refreshing to have tea like this,” the older Carlton comments as I pour. “I last enjoyed something similar in Lijiang.”
I half expect him to pull a nullifying scrap from his pocket and test his cup for more potions, but he apparently trusts me not to repeat the same trick twice because he takes the vessel and raises it to his nose, inhaling before taking a sip.
“Some things are meant to be enjoyed,” I reply, settling into my physical form and picking up my own cup.
“Indeed.”
“You travelled a lot after your exile,” I broach. “Was there a purpose to that?”
The corner of his lip twitches. “Outside of keeping myself out of Matty’s clutches?”
That’s the second time he’s slipped and called the magister by a more familiar name. I store the information away for later.
Inclining my head, I take my first sip. “I suspect there was more to it than that.”
No answer? Fine.
“I suspect you were looking for his soul vessel.”
Benny leans in, setting his tea down and steepling his fingers beneath his chin with an easy smile. “You’ve done your research.”
“And you’re keeping secrets from your allies.”
“Yes, I sought his soul. I searched for over a decade, checking every single jewel I could find. In times past, liches called the vessels ‘phylacteries’ and hid them in remote places, but Mathias has never been so cautious or so humble as to allow the centre of his magic—his life force—to linger in obscurity. He despised living in hiding as long as he did.”
True. He was always a man who enjoyed his own eminence.
“You believe he’s going to make a play for the parriarchy.”
Benny snorts, leaning back. “My dear, it’s no coincidence that he’s making such grand moves when Talcott holds the position of Rector.”
Carlton is the next in the cycle, leaving Isidora to become the next head of the council of parriarchs if he falls. If she were to die, Ackland would be next in line.
“He wants to rule.” Either through a puppet, or by killing Pierce’s mother once she’s outlived her usefulness.
“All he needs to do is secure the Arcanaeum and the ultimate power it contains, then replace Abe Talcott. I hear Anthea is doing quite well at bringing the rector to heel, for now. That will do until he has the other parriarchs in place. Josef is dead. My daughter is fixated on transcending her mortal form and will do whatever he asks. Winthrop… Well, darling Georgina has never been particularly devious or powerful. She’ll either choose the side she thinks will win or fold with the right blackmail.”
“And Ó Rinn will happily follow whoever can break their ensorcellment,” I finish. “Leaving…”
“McKinley. Loyal, but insular, and uninterested in leaving Orkney, where they feel safe.”
