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Gabriel put a hand on her shoulder. “Follow my lead,” he said quietly. “You can do this. I’ve seen you.”
Knock-knock-knock.
“Oh, Veronica,” Jan crooned through the door. “I know you’re in there.” Three spirits oozed through the wood, then solidified. Jan had tasked them to take soldier form, complete with intimidatingly large, wickedly sharp curved swords.
“Those spirits,” Nic hissed, hearing her own hysteria in it, “they can—”
“I know. Trust me.”
Nic met his steady gaze, the silver-cool certainty of his magic calming.Be Lady Veronica who has nothing to hide.He was right: She knew how to do at least that. Taking a deep breath, she pulled her poise around her. Then nodded at Gabriel. He squeezed her shoulder and smiled, his approval nourishing in a way she didn’t want to examine. He went to the door.
Knock-knock-knock.
“Veronica Elal! Let me in this instant or you will regret—”
Jan broke off as Gabriel yanked open the door.
“Can I help you?” he asked, icily polite.
Jan’s face blanked momentarily, taking in Gabriel’s big form, his wizard-black eyes, and Nic sitting by the fire, sipping her brandy with a calm smile. “I’m here to retrieve House Elal property,” he declared with authority, sternly glaring at Nic. “You, whoever you are, will stand aside or pay the price.”
“Is that so?” Gabriel inquired silkily, not budging. His magic coalesced in the room, silver bright, sharp as a crescent moon. Nic had forgotten two things about him. One, that his magic was of a dual nature. He’d depleted his water magic, but his moon magic remained potent. She had no idea how he could wield that in a fight. Still, Jan sensed the intensity of it, and he returned his attention to Gabriel, wary now. Daniel, just before and to the side of Jan—as he’d no doubt been tasked with the menial job of knocking—cringed, his cheerful face wrinkling with anxiety.
That was the second thing Nic had forgotten about Gabriel during these last few days of increasingly comfortable companionship. He’d been gentle with her, all kindness and care. Now he’d shed that personality as if it had never been. He’d gone cold and cruel, towering over even tall Jan, simmering with lethal magic.
Nic had to give Jan credit for having spine. The enforcer stared Gabriel down, seizing Daniel’s arm so he winced even more, and summoned several more sword-bearing spirits to ring Nic. “Thatisso,” he replied with confidence. He transferred his gaze to Nic. “Get up, Nicky. Come with me immediately. You’ve been a very naughty familiar.”
Nic lifted her chin and raised a brow. “I’d reconsider how you speak to your betters, Jan. I outrank you.”
Jan barked out a laugh and shook his head. “When was the last time a fine lady wore a collar?” he jeered, and Nic had to fight the flush of shame. “Familiars have no rank, kitten,” he reminded her. “And you’re a rogue familiar on top of that. You’ve brought shame on the house, and I’m taking you to face Lord Elal.” The spirit soldiers flanking Nic caged her with their swords—which could cut like the sharpest steel. Jan wouldn’t kill her, but he wouldn’t mind making her suffer. A familiar didn’t need fingers and toes to do her job. “I expect to be richly rewarded,” Jan continued with a thin smile, “but I’d do it for free. I’m going to enjoy this so much.”
Beside her, Daniel met Nic’s gaze, his brown eyes soulful with some message she couldn’t interpret.
Jan tried to shove past Gabriel, but he didn’t budge. “Stand aside, wizard, or I shall make you suffer,” Jan barked impatiently. “You have no idea who I am.”
“I know you have no rights here,” Gabriel replied with silvery menace. “I suggest you leave immediately.”
Jan laughed, raking him with a scornful look. “I don’t know who you are, but you have unlawfully taken possession of Lady Veronica Elal. You may have collared your prize, but you haven’t bonded her yet. What’s the problem, not enough power? Regardless, so you might get off with a milder sentence, but rest assured that I will report you to the Convocation.” He bared his teeth. “Stealing a familiar is a major offense.”
Gabriel braced his arms on the doorway, looming even larger with malice—and Jan took a step back, catching himself quickly, but not before revealing he’d been intimidated. His face flushed with mortified fury.
“You have committed a grave error,” Gabriel said softly. “This is Lady Veronica Phel, my wife by right of Convocation law and by her own free will.”
Jan’s mouth fell open. “Youare Lord Phel?”
“Of course. Andyouare trying my patience.”
Recovering his wits, Jan firmed his jaw. “Why haven’t you bonded her, then?”
“I’m taking her to Meresin.”
Jan frowned in disgust. “Traditionalists. You slay me—and that isyourmistake. Little Nicky here isn’t yours yet, perhaps not ever. The Convocation will decide if—”
“Iwill decide.” Gabriel’s voice cracked like lightning, making even Nic jump. “Run back to Elal, little wizard, before I decide to punish you for impertinence.”
The spirit soldiers behind Gabriel moved, their swords flashing as they drove toward his back.
“Behind you!” Nic shrieked. A spirit sword pinned her sleeve to the chair, grazing her skin with a slice of agony. She dropped the brandy glass, and it shattered.
