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“You don’t understand.”
“Then help me understand.”
“You are already powerful and popular, even without someone in your family holding a position. This is my way of proving myself outside of my influential one.”
“This will be your downfall if you keep doing this.”
The next image clipped in, the two still facing each other but inside a house: Silver’s house. Silver was in bed and coughing while Brian, looking worried, sat beside him.
“What’s that, Brian?”
“It’s something to help you with your ailment. I know it’s tough dealing with the growth of your magic, and you are worried about it hurting the community. Take it. Wish for the stability of your power. It’s a lucky stone.”
More images rushed in, each one showing off the healthy, happy Silver as he gained more notoriety with how talented he was becoming with potions, spells, and everything in between. It stopped at the two once more, absorbed in a heated argument.
“What’s happening to me? Why do my nightmares feel real?”
“It will pass, Silver.”
“You did something to me. It started that day when you gave me your stone.”
“Don’t be silly. I am your best friend. I would never do anything to hurt you. You reciprocate that, right? By not reporting me?”
“It’s wrong. This is my last warning. Stop what you are doing, or I will tell your uncle.”
The next images were a blur, but Maddox didn’t need to watch them to get it. The picture was crystal-clear in his mind as he pulled himself out of the memory and tried to get ahold of his senses. His body felt weak, while his mind felt highly assaulted. The only good thing was that he had managed to hold on to the box and the second glass, which he knew he now needed for what came next.
He slipped the second glass ball into the box, then wiped the evidence of the liquid and shattered glasses clean. He switched some balls so the label under Silver wouldn’t be empty, taking Ruby’s glass ball, too. Then he was out of there fast while his mind tried to organize how he would handle this matter. Would he report it to the council? Would he tell the sisters first? The first could mean either justice or the crime covered up, while the second would mean Brian would end up dead before—
“Maddox? What are you doing here?”
Maddox stopped in his tracks, inwardly cursing himself for being careless. The perfect scenario would have been acting like the most oblivious man there was, considering that had been his reality for many years in Ostrov Krov. But this was far from perfect, especially with the fury that jumped at the sight of the man. Brian was eyeing the box he held, but thankfully the vials hid the glass balls.
“Oh, I’m so glad that you are here. There’s an emergency.”
“An emergency that constitutes you taking my potions?”
“I promise I can explain. Your potions are needed, and you are the only one who can help.”
“Help with what?”
“Ruby went mad,” Maddox lied. “She went evil like her brother and is unstoppable. Her sisters are trying to stop her now. Can you get your uncle? James? The council? Please. Hurry.”
Bringing the council was a risk, but the glass balls might turn the tide. He turned, ending the conversation on that urgent note and hoping the warlock would fall for it.
“You want me to contact the council and report the person you are sleeping with?”
A hand wrapped around his neck, pulling him back. Belatedly, it dawned that it wasn’t a hand but Brian’s magic wrapping around him and forcibly spinning him to face the man. He restrained his jaw from clenching and battled every telltale sign that tried to come out.
“It’s for her safety. They will understand. Let me go.”
“They condemned Silver without even giving him a chance.”
“Then just get James. He will be enough—”
The magical hold tightened until Maddox choked and felt his vision dimming. When he was slammed to the floor, he had the presence of mind to slide the box to the side—and ended up sacrificing his back. Pain blossomed up his spine, then blazed toward his head. The peaceful magic that the man embodied in the unknown island was gone, replaced by something that threatened to smother him.
“You are lying,” Brian intoned. “You don’t want the council there to witness Ruby’s descent to evil.”
