Page 41 of The Dragon and the Dove

A regrettable error. Yesterday, Ransom had tried experimenting with smaller creatures. He’d conjured a fleet of butterflies. By the time his little death-bringers had alighted on Fontaine’s rose bushes, it was too late to salvage them. Not that he was about to admit that to Versini. ‘Would you rather I let the roses bloom, while your friends die?’

‘Andreas is a long way from House Armand.’

‘For now.’

‘You’re unhinged.’

Ransom shrugged. It’s true his magic was making him a little more… off kilter. But if that was the cost of his power, of her protection, then he was glad to pay it.

Versini chewed on his thumbnail, allowing Ransom a moment to take in how awful he looked. Drawn face, messy hair and dark circles under his eyes. It was the glint of worry in them that made him sit up and say, ‘What do you want, Versini?’

‘I need a favour. And unfortunately for both of us, you’re the only one who can help.’

‘What kind of favour?’

‘The kind that could save Fantome.’

It wasn’t until he reached the forest by House Armand that Ransom started having second thoughts about agreeing to Versini’s request.

‘Remind me again why we’re doing this all the way out here?’ he said, as they made their way through the thicket of trees.

‘Because it’s highly unorthodox,’ said the Shadowsmith.

‘And I don’t want Fontaine to hit me with her cane,’ said Tobias, who had come along too. ‘Again.’

They came to a clearing. Ransom pulled his shadows close while Versini fished a vial of gold liquid from inside his satchel.

‘Cool,’ said Tobias, edging towards the nearest shadow hound. ‘Look at those massive fangs.’

‘All the better to maim with,’ said Ransom, sardonically.

The Shadowsmith frowned. ‘I said we only need one.’

‘They’re pack animals.’

That earned him an exaggerated eye-roll.

Versini handed the vial to Tobias. ‘Plug your nose as it goes down.’

Ransom’s brows shot up. ‘Why aren’t you drinking it?’

Versini was nonplussed. ‘Tobias volunteered.’

‘I’m not attacking the kid.’

‘It’s an experiment, not a real attack. The liquid is a dilutant of Lightfire. A way to stretch out our supply. It should work.’

‘And if it doesn’t?’

‘Then recall your hounds.’ His glare hardened. ‘You still have control over your magic, don’t you?’

Mostly. ‘Why don’t I set one on you now and see?’

Ignoring their spat, Tobias downed the liquid. And winced. ‘It tastes like a bonfire.’

Versini clapped him on the back. ‘Well done.’

Ransom glared at the gutless Shadowsmith. ‘Are you really so scared that I’ll accidentally kill you that you’re using your fourteen-year-old cousin as a human shield?’