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“I was hoping I could speak privately with Lord Demious.” I bit my lip and coyly looked away. “Without the other girls around.”
“Oh, of course.” He motioned for me to step closer. “He’s in his office with a guest, but if you’d like me to arrange a meeting, I can.”
“I wouldn’t want to disturb him right now. Maybe I can steal a moment later.” I gave a slight bow of my head. “Goodbye!”
With my dress in hand, I ran outside, only pausing to make sure no one else was around me. Lord Demious’ office was upstairs on the second floor, east wing. I remembered from that first day when I spotted him watching through the window.
I also remembered a gigantic tree near it.
By the time I reached that area of the estate, sweat soaked the back of my neck and pooled in between my breasts. The willow tree was in full bloom with plenty of leaves and purple flowers to give me enough spying coverage. The first branch wasn’t too far. I jumped up and grabbed it.
I’m sure those sisters had never climbed a tree in their life. Not only could I climb, but I was better than my brother.
When I pulled myself up onto the first large branch, I grabbed another and began working my way up the tree, branch by branch. My dress snagged on a section of the limb, ripping the hem.
This is ridiculous. I can’t climb in this.
I positioned myself on a thick branch and undid the front lace of my bodice then shimmied out of my dress. If anyone saw me in my bloomers, I’d be the main gossip for the rest of the time here.
At least I wore underthings today, but only because the twins made me—apparently, going without them is socially unacceptable.
The voices inside grew louder.
I grabbed another branch and finished climbing, knocking my dress off the tree in the process. I couldn’t worry about that now. I had to hear what was going on in that room.
“How much longer, Demious?”
“You will have them in three days.”
Using my arms, I pulled myself forward and laid flat on the branch nearest the open window. The agent stood on the opposite side of Demious’ desk.
“I don’t see why you prolong this charade. We need to replenish the ranks. Every day the Rift grows, faster than before, and the spell is not complete yet.”
Demious dipped a quill into the ink bottle and wrote on a scroll. “Remember, I get first pick. You can have the leftovers.”
My heart raced.First pick? What is he talking about?
Once Demious finished writing, he waved his hand over the scroll. “As agreed, and now signed.”
The agent took the scroll. “The Magi Council will not look kindly at you harboring mages that are needed for war. Your job has been to find us the mages we need.”
Demious stood and black misty tentacles began extending from his body. “And I have done so for years. You should remember whose house you are in. I alone protect Farrow’s Gate, and my heir will need to be powerful to keep the mess the Magi Council has made at the Borderlands from defiling the rest of Saol.”
The agent stepped back. “The Magi Council pays you to protect it. A fact you seem to forget.”
Black tentacles shot forth and wrapped around the agent’s neck. Demious’ calm demeanor morphed into a sinister smirk and his brown eyes shifted to black. “Go back to town and when I have chosen my bride, you’ll get the rest.”
The mist receded, and the agent ran out.
My heart pounded.
He’s sending the losers to the Borderlands? That’s a war zone.
The girls here weren’t fighters, they were mages at best.
Demious stormed out of his office.
I shimmied back to the trunk and began climbing my way down.
