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“Short term, sure,” Jadren answered for him, “but having unbonded familiars around is like leaving your coin sitting on the seat of a public carriage—you’re just begging for them to be stolen.”
“Clearly even bonded familiars can be taken from their wizards,” Gabriel retorted, the worry for Nic climbing up his throat, bittersour.When he finally found her, she was too far gone.
“Yes, but—again—they don’t survive the attenuation of the bond for long,” Jadren replied, not without sympathy.“I don’t like to say this, but it’s already been six days.I wouldn’t hold out much hope for Lady Phel’s… mental health.”
Lyndella died in his arms, insane and broken beyond repair.Alise made a small sound, like a swallowed sob.Gabriel didn’t reply to Jadren’s dour prediction.Hope was all he had.He tried reaching for Nic along their bond, uncertain if the echo of fire-warmed wine and the scent of bloodred roses came from her or from his memories.
“Laryn is fine where she is,” Gabriel said, deciding to let this argument wait.“The priority is rescuing Nic.Laryn’s crimes are primarily against her, so I’ll wait until Nic can consult on the sentence.”And firmly believe that she’d be able to.
The three wizards exchanged uncomfortable glances.“Lord Phel,” Jadren ventured, “I feel I should reiterate Wizard Alise’s point.You cannot expect to extract Lady Phel from Convocation Center.You are one wizard, and they are multitudes.Powerful, experienced multitudes.It would be suicide.”
Sylus used all his magic wreaking revenge on his enemy, killing himself, but taking his nemesis with him.“It’s not suicide if I survive,” Gabriel returned grimly.“Besides, all that matters is that Nic is recovered.I promised to keep her safe, and I’ll do that.”
“No matter how it turns out,” Jadren warned, “the Convocation will level judgment on House Phel.Theywillpunish you for it.They’ll at least revoke your house status, possibly worse.”
Gabriel was heartily tired of the threat of the Convocation yanking away the treat they’d so grudgingly awarded him.Once upon a time, restoring House Phel had been all that mattered to him.Since then, his priorities had changed.Getting Nic back was what mattered.
She was the only thing that mattered.
