Dane stands. ‘Morgan. My friend. I know that you would not make such a request of me lightly. Ask. If I can help you, I will.’
I nod, relieved because I know there’s something not right in our minds and his magick is the only way I can think of to find out for sure.
‘You said there was a conjure, one you used to see other conjures,’ I say carefully, trying to remember the story he told me once when we were deep in our cups.
My friend cants his head, looking intrigued. ‘Yes, there is. Why?’
‘I need you to use it. On me, and on Jak.’
‘You believe you’ve had magick worked upon you? Where?’ Dane’s brow furrows as he looks between us.
‘We aren’t sure, but we both?—’
‘There are things we can’t remember,’ Jak interjects, stepping forward. ‘Since we were in the Dark Realms.’
Dane brow furrows as he ponders a moment. ‘It requires me to cast a conjuring circle, usually, but the moon is in wax, so it might work without. I can try now, if you like.’
We glance at each other and nod.
Dane closes his eyes, and then I see his lips move as he speaks the words of power. He then looks at us both intently, as if he’s searching inside us, or through us.
‘Well?’ Jak asks impatiently after a few moments.
‘Patience.’ Dane’s eyes narrow as he stares and then gives Jak an annoyed look.
‘It’s small,’ he says at last.
‘Is it on both of us?’
He nods. ‘Yes, and it’s the same. A tiny thing. Quick. Advanced magick. I wouldn’t have seen it, nor noticed it if I wasn’t looking for it, even with the conjure to make it visible.’
His gaze refocuses on my face. ‘Do you know who could have done it?’
Jak and I share a look that I know doesn’t escape our magick-wielding friend. We both know a mage with advanced conjuring abilities, though neither of us want such a suspicion to be true, nor would we like to voice it here.
‘Until we understand its purpose, we can’t know for sure,’ I say, not ready to accuse Locke until I’m certain.
I hear Jak scoff next to me, but he says nothing.
‘Can you see what it was meant to do?’ I ask.
Dane shakes his head. ‘Not without a circle cast, not without preparation.’
‘Can you remove it from us?’
Dane squints at us and then nods after a moment. ‘I can, and it’s a quick process, but it isn’t without some risk. If you can wait for it to wear off on its own, that would be safer.’
‘Will it?’ Jak asks sharply now, clearly more than a little bothered about Dane’s confirmation that we’ve had magick worked on us without our knowledge.
‘Yes,’ Dane says. ‘It’s not a long-term conjure. It’s not dangerous. It’s meant to last only a few wee?—’
‘I want it gone,’ Jak interrupts, stepping forward, his jaw tight with anger. ‘Gone. As soon as possible. I had my fucking fill of being manipulated by magick when I was under Varrik’s conjures for years.’
‘Of course I understand,’ Dane acquiesces quietly. ‘You know I do, Jak.’
‘I know. Now, do it.’
Dane closes his eyes, raising a hand in our direction. His fingers turn in a circle as he mutters.
