And with that, she closed her eyes and called upon her magic. Streams of amethyst light whirled out of her palms, trickling down to the floor in thin wisps.Illusionary magic, Emilio noted as the familiar sweet, syrupy smell flooded his senses. Something was forming inside the light, a hazy mass of limbs and fur. It was difficult to discern what it was at first, as though Olivier were staring at it through a warped mirror. But after a few more seconds, the features began to solidify, the purple mist clearing.
“Is that”—Emilio blinked in astonishment—“a puppy?”
It certainly looked like one. The creature had the shape of a small dog, its fur a mismatch of different shades—browns and blacks intermingling with white tufts. But something about it seemed a bit…off. Its ears were pointy, almost batlike, and its eyes were a startling shade of red.
“Nottechnically,” Masika said, staring down at her work in satisfaction. “It’s a type of illusion. I’ve essentially infused it with something else…hidden it within.” She looked between the two of them with a sigh. “Think of it like a nesting doll. The outer layer is an illusion, but the inner layer is what’s really important.” She rubbed one of the creature’s pointy ears and frowned. “Though…I’m not so sure what happened to its ears and eyes. I think I might have slightly messed up the spell.”
“Whatexactlyis the inner layer?” asked Olivier warily, flinching as the puppy tried to nip at his ankles.
“An immobilizing powder. When inhaled, it freezes both yourmind and body. You’re essentially an unconscious statue for about…oh, I don’t know…thirty minutes?” Masika must have noticed their twin looks of confusion, shrugging as she added, “I stole the powder from the strategist’s archives.”
“How does it release the immobilizing powder?” Emilio asked, bending down to pet the strange creature, which was currently attempting to chase its own tail.
“It’s on a timer.”
Olivier blinked, horrified. “Oh my God. You’ve created a bomb. A slobbery little bomb.”
“And on that note…” Masika picked the puppy up, bringing it to eye level. “It’s time to see if you work.”
The second she set it back down on the floor, the little creature sauntered toward the entrance to the Southern Wing with surprising confidence. As expected, it didn’t take long for the two guards to notice the puppy prowling down the hall. The pair glanced up in bewilderment, heads tilting in sync.
“What the hell—” The guard to the right unsheathed her saber, sparks of corporeal magic flashing in warning. But before she could even make a move, the puppy let out a high-pitched bark. It was in that exact moment that a sparkling pall drifted out of its mouth, the dark cloud instantly shooting toward the two guards.
The second they inhaled the pall, both guards became expressionless and rigid, their eyes glazing over.
Emilio let out a shuddering breath. “Did it…did it work?”
Masika straightened her shoulders. “Only one way to find out.”
She stepped forward and charged down the corridor. The puppy, which was currently nibbling at its own paw, turned to look at her with a crooked grin. It yelped in delight when she approached it.
“Good dog.” Masika gently scooped the creature into her arms. She glanced over her shoulder and called out to them. “All right, boys! You can come out!”
Emilio and Olivier joined Masika at the entrance to the Southern Wing, awkwardly sidestepping the frozen guards. The immobilizing powder had done its job. From a distance, the guards simply appeared composed and attentive. But up close, there was anothingnessbehind their eyes…a void.
“Ready?” Masika asked.
He supposed they had no other choice. Emilio looked over at Olivier, who managed a feeble nod.
“Ready.”
As soon as Masika opened the door, the trio cocked their heads in unison. It was clear they had all been expecting the same thing. Every other wing in the base consisted of expansive corridors—rooms upon rooms that were scattered upon multiple floors. But on the other side of the door to the Southern Wing, there wasn’t a corridor. There wasn’t even a hallway.
It was just a single room.
An office.
They stepped inside, the double doors shutting behind them.
A shimmering candelabra illuminated the room, the warm flicker of candlelight casting hazy shadows across the walls. The mutant puppy barked in Masika’s arms, squirming to break free. She placed him gently on the floor, allowing the creature to roam beside them.
As they ventured farther into the room, taking in the dimly lit space, Emilio noted that it was rather desolate, containing nothing but a wooden desk with some journals stacked atop it. The walls were made of stone, sparsely decorated with a couple of sconces and a wide blueprint of the manor’s various halls.
“I don’t understand…” Olivier rubbed at his forehead. “I thought the key was for Catherine’s office.”
“It is,” Masika whispered. “Or, at least, it should be.”
“But…” Emilio dragged his finger along the wall. “Isn’tthisher office?”
