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Chapter Twenty-Six
Ven
I stare at the collar around Tamsin’s neck and wince. “Is it enchanted?”
She nods. “Somehow, they got ahold of my old grimoire—I don’t even do magic anymore—and they programmed it to withstand any attempts I made to get rid of it. I can’t use magic at all when I’m wearing it, and I also can’t leave the building.”
I want to know why she gave up her magic, but this is certainly not the time or place. Also, the mention of her grimoire sends a spike of dread through my stomach. “They took my grimoire, too,” I say. “I didn’t realize who was behind all this at first, or why they would take it. Now it makes more sense.”
“So far, they haven’t used it to compel any particular behavior, just to prohibit me from doing certain things.” Tamsin shivers. “I think they could, though. Use me like a zombie, no free will at all. But in my case, threatening my sister was enough. I won’t do anything to risk her, and they know it.”
An idea occurs to me. “Just because it can withstand your own magic, that doesn’t mean it can withstand mine.”
Tamsin’s brow furrows. “It’s certainly worth a shot.”
I pull my suit down so my hands are free and summon my magic, as well as my focus. I raise my hands up in front of Tamsin’s throat.
First, a simple intonation with a push of power. “Open.”
The collar around her neck flashes but holds fast when I try to unbuckle it. I try another:
Break the bonds
Sever the ties
Cut the noose
Undo what was done
This time the collar lets out a small electric shock, zapping both my hands and Tamsin’s neck. She cries out. “Ven, I don’t think it’s going to work.”
“It has to,” I say, gritting my teeth. “We’re getting Luciana out of here. And you’re coming with us.”
I raise my hands again. I’ll blast it with raw magic if I need to, but that will likely burn her a bit. One more spell to try.
Reclaim what was lost
Call power from the moon
Song of the earth
Song of rebirth
As I speak, my words growing stronger, a glow envelopes the collar. Tiny cracks appear in the metal. I repeat the spell a second time, and this time it shatters and falls to pieces at her feet. A rush of magic swirls around me, but it’s not just mine, it’s Tamsin’s, too.
“Did you… did you just restore my magic?” she asks, her eyes wide.
I nod.
She looks horrified. “I turned from that path a long time ago…”
“Well, if we’re going to get out of here alive, I need you to veer back onto that path. Can do you that?” I fix my gaze on hers.
After a moment, she nods. “For today. Yes. Today. I can bind my powers again once this is done.” She seems almost to be talking more to herself than to me.
“Okay. Ryder should be back any moment now. Let’s go wheel Luciana and the others by the door so we’re ready.”
“We’ll need to take care of the other staff first,” she says.
