Page 53

“What’s the next step?” she asked, scanning the crowd of important council people in elegant clothing, sipping their Goldwine and whiskey.

“Desperate to get out of here already, Winters?” Was that stupid grin going to be plastered on his face all night?

“I’m serious.”

“When are you not? We’ll wait for a few songs until the majority of them are too drunk to notice anything else,” he said.

On one of the balconies she recognized Primemage Corvin. He looked so unassuming. Small stature. Thin lips and large ears. Oily strands of hair carelessly framed his long face. The glasses he wore were crooked and old. Nothing made it appear as if he was in charge of the most powerful group in the magic sphere.

“So this is the who’s who of the council?” she asked Dawson.

“That would be them.”

“Where is Obryn?”

“He avoids social gatherings at all costs.”

She had something in common with the Highmage after all. The sight of the room of people made her feel lightheaded. Too many eyes watching her. In the crowd of strangers, she spotted Ella. For once, she was the last person Mira wanted to see.

Ella grabbed Oliver, who was mid-conversation, and dragged him across the room toward Mira.

“Oh spheres,” she sighed, watching Ella’s excited eyes go wide when she spotted Mira’s date for the evening.

Oliver tumbled along, drink in hand, confused why he was being escorted away. His face turned somber when he noticed who stood next to Mira.

There was no good explanation for why she was at a ball with Aidric Dawson. She couldn’t lie her way out of this, and the truth wasn’t going to work either.

“I’m guessing you know those two?” Dawson asked. “How incredibly awkward this must be for you.” He put his arm around her waist, pulled her closer, and whispered in her ear: “Do you think they’re wondering if we’ve had sex yet?”

Mira’s face flushed with heat. “Of course not.” Did they?

A crooked grin tugged on his lips. “A shame. I’m picturing it right now.”

An image of his naked body flashed in her mind, and she wanted to die of shame. He chuckled.

I will strangle him. Stab him with non-magic fountain pens.

But before she could do that, Ella and Oliver arrived. They introduced themselves, and Dawson’s demeanor chilled at the mention of Oliver’s last name.

“Sullivan. I hear you are rather curious about me. Hope whatever you found was worth the hassle.”

How someone could make a sentence sound demeaning, threatening, and passive-aggressive at the same time was a feat.

“Just wanted to learn more about Mira’s training partner.” Oliver didn’t smile and kept staring at Dawson suspiciously. This enemy among them. He clearly hadn’t forgotten the rumors about the Dawson heir, even if Mira had pushed them to the side. Was the Wielder next to her an executioner for the council? She had witnessed how easily he could kill. The same hand touching the small of her back now had cast numerous deadly spells.

Ella’s smile didn’t falter. “I love your dress,” she said to Mira in an attempt to defuse the situation, but the two men still stared at each other with contempt.

“Not to worry, Sullivan,” Dawson continued. “She is an excellent student. A waste if she had stayed in White Magic, if you ask me.”

Oliver gripped his glass too tightly. “Are you allowed in the council building? I mean with everything your family was accused of doing during the war.”

Dawson’s grin widened until teeth showed, happy the Caster took the bait. “Let me guess, you’re the first person in your family to work for the council? They’re proud, I’m sure. Meanwhile, my family’s spells built the council.”

“I heard your family helped build much more during the war.”

“Careful, Caster. I could make your little dream position at the council go away in a heartbeat.”

Mira had to separate the two before things escalated any further. “We better get something to drink. Have fun out there.” She dragged Dawson away. “Was that necessary? Ella is my friend.”