“That doesn’t mean they don’t exist.” I slid on a clean shirt and a pair of trousers. “Where’s Darius?”
“Still in bed.”
We marched to the mage’s room with matching strides.
I knocked on Darius’s door and barged inside. He was sitting in bed in a sea of coquelicot silk cushions, eating from a tray loaded with kippers, porridge, chocolate bonbons, and a dozen other things. And that food would keep him satiated for a couple of hours.
He scowled. “I hope it’s urgent, gentlemen.”
“Tanner turned into a sparrow and flew away.” It was better to be brief.
Graves was as serious as his name. “Are there were-sparrows?”
Darius stopped sipping his tea, a testament to how shocked he was. “Were-sparrows my arse.”
“What is it then?” Graves and I asked at the same time.
He was flustered. “If you let me finish my breakfast and give me a moment to collect my thoughts, I’ll tell you. There’s no hurry, is there? The man is gone.”
I clenched a fist. “By all means, keep guzzling. It’s more important than finding a fugitive.”
He sipped with his pinkie finger fully stretched out. “It is.”
Graves exhaled through his teeth. “Unbelievable.”
“Welcome to my world.” I shook my head. “Do you think Sean came here to transform Tanner into a bird? Or did he turn Tanner from a distance?”
“That’s ridiculous!” The pillows rose and floated around him. “Long-distance spells are extremely difficult and rarely work, and I don’t believe Sean came here.”
“Maybe you found your match. Be quick, Darius.”
“Breakfast is the most important meal of the day.” He waved.
Graves’s heels screeched against the floor as he was pushed out of the room by an invisible force.
“What the—” I started.
Darius raised a finger to silence me. “I didn’t shove you out to let you keep your dignity.”
“Bloody hell.” I stormed out of the room and joined the werewolf in the corridor. “I’ll wait for you in Tanner’s cell.”
“You should give him the sack!” Graves raised his voice.
Darius used his magic to shut the door in our faces.
“I’ll search the grounds. Or rather, the trees.” Muttering, Graves headed for the stairs.
Irene almost bumped into me when I rounded the corner. Tension snapped back into my body, but it wasn’t completely unpleasant. I leapt away from her.
“I’m sorry.” She stepped back as well.
“It’s not…” I sounded like an idiot. I loosened the collar of my shirt. “Did you hear about Tanner?”
“A bird? It makes no sense.”
“I’m going to the cell to wait for Darius when he deigns to join us.”
“I’ll come with you.”
