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“The copying gremlins are their only lucrative product.”Iliana grimaced.“You’re not the first to complain about the cost.But why buy a gremlin when you have people with idle hands?”
“You’re supposed to be communicating with the sea monster,” Nic reminded her.When she wasn’t being called on to supplement emergency healing incantations, that was.Quinn had offered to help, too, she remembered—and Nic hadn’t quite gotten around to setting her up to do the work.
Iliana shrugged.“It sleeps a lot, so I can only spend so much time on that.I’ll test out different fish—feed it one kind and try to sense how it likes it.Maybe we can find a sweet spot of abundant, cheap, and tasty.In the meanwhile, what can I copy for you?”
“The NDAs, for starters,” Nic said, unbearably grateful for the offer.“Though I’m out of blank ones.”
“I can use my own as a template.”Iliana accepted the paper and extra quill Nic offered her.“I’ll just sit here and—”
“Not there,” Nic corrected sharply when Iliana moved to Gabriel’s empty desk.Then caught herself.“I mean… Never mind.That’s fine.”
Iliana gave her a look of sympathy.“I can sit in a chair.I see now that this is Lord Phel’s desk.Of course you don’t want me to sit here.”
“No, don’t be foolish.It’s not as if he’ll walk in and need to use it.”Nic’s voice broke a little, and she scrubbed a hand over her face.
“How about some tea?”Iliana went to a side table where someone had left a pot of tea warming over a tiny fire elemental.Nic had forgotten about it.“Tea always makes me feel better.Honey?”
“Yes, please.And help yourself to a cup.”
Iliana brought the tea to Nic, keeping one for herself.“How is Lord Phel doing?”
“The same.”At least, she figured he was the same.Asa had sent a strongly worded reply to her last inquiry telling her that she’d be the first to know about any change and to leave him alone.“Thank you for helping yesterday.”
“We were happy we were able to.It was good to feel like we can do something to pay you back.”
“You have no obligation to us.”
“But we do,” Iliana insisted.“Lord Phel asked Han to teach bladework to the familiars and non-magic workers, which is a great choice because Han spent a lot of time in weapons work electives while waiting to manifest.So, I’m happy to have this job helping you.”
Nic hadn’t known Gabriel had arranged for Han to teach.When had he done that?She found herself suddenly and furiously jealous of the time he’d spent away from her.She’d been so cavalier, not treasuring every moment together she could.
“Lord Phel will be all right, Nic,” Iliana said with infinite gentleness, as if the words might break her if she said them too loudly.Nic wondered how long she’d been sitting there in silence to prompt that reassurance.
“How do you know?”she asked, meaning the question in all sincerity.
Iliana shrugged and smiled.“I know like I knew Han and I could escape.I just know.”
Nic envied her that certainty.She was searching for something to say when Alise charged into the library, flinging the doors open so hard they banged against the walls, sending Nic’s heart pounding.The expression on her sister’s face frightened her even more.“Gabriel?”she asked, leaping to her feet.
“Worse,” Alise replied grimly, gaze sliding to Iliana.“House Sammael.”
