by AJ Sherwood
His mouth irreverently blurted, “Oh god, Halmeoni’s never going to let me live this down. She’s sworn for years Cassie and I are mages, and I kept telling her she was crazy, and she’s never going to let me forget this.”
“I certainly wouldn’t.” Lisette’s grin might have been a bit evil. “Now, give that back. I just so happened to bring a magic primer with me, a beginner’s textbook, if you will. Don’t you want to start learning?”
Now wasn’t that a ridiculous question. But then, she’d known full well he was a mage, probably at their first meeting, as brief as that was. Of course she’d come prepared. Cameron was torn between wanting to sleep on it all and give his brain a chance to process it, and learning magic. Currently, learning magic was winning.
Curiosity. It did him in every time.
But as he handed the triangle back to her, he looked at it again, and the memory came back in a rush. “Lisette. I want to learn, but…I’ve seen that before.”
Her hand closed over both the triangle and his fingers, keeping him locked in place. Her eyes sharpened on his face. “Where? When?”
“Recently, actually. The hotel I’m staying at, I was crossing through the lobby and a guy was wearing it around his neck. It glowed like that, too.”
“Can you describe him?”
“Eh…not really? It was in passing; the guy had bumped into me by accident, I barely looked at his face. I just remember the triangle because it was a cool design and it was glowing, and I couldn’t immediately figure out why. It wasn’t like those battery-operated necklaces.” Cameron frowned at the triangle, and she let go of his fingers, taking it fully back and putting it in her pocket once more. “You said the dragons are looking for mages constantly. Is anyone else?”
“Not that I’m aware of. But someone clearly is if they have this. And it might explain why someone tried to take you today.”
That triangle took on a whole new meaning. “Because they detected I’m a mage? Damn. I’m not so happy about that.”
A dark cloud swept over Lisette’s face, as if she contemplated mayhem on some level. “Neither am I. Let me teach you some of the basics of spellcraft, young mage. I think you’ll need that sooner than later.”
“Yeah. I, uh, suddenly think that learning magic is a great idea.” Part of Cameron was still wrapping his head around the idea of him doing magic. That part would have to get over itself. He had too much proof that he was a mage. It was time to accept it and move forward. Only one problem that he could see (aside from accidentally setting something on fire or blowing it up). “Shouldn’t I report to Alric, though?”
“We will,” Lisette assured him. “But later. I’ll tell Baldewin tonight so that we’re more prepared. Right now, let me teach you. Leaving you ignorant is the worst possible choice at the moment.”
If he’d known magic when they tried to kidnap him earlier, Cameron would have been better equipped to fight them off. Alric wouldn’t have re-injured himself. Hell, he might have caught the bad guys and saved themselves the headache of wondering who was after him. Lisette had a good point.
Magic lesson first.
With the potion, salve, and heat treatment, Alric’s injury subsided to a low-grade thrum, something on the level of a minor bruise. He’d wanted to go and check up on Cameron, but Dieter told him Lisette had gone in to speak with him. Alric felt it best to give them space. Instead, he retreated to his study to record every detail he could think of. It may or may not aid them later in finding the men.
Alric’s head came up as he heard the quick knock on the door. People traipsed through his study on a regular basis, and it had gotten to the point he could pinpoint who was about to barge in depending on their footsteps and their knock. The firm, but light stride accompanied by the swish of skirts, the solid no-nonsense rhythm of the knock on the wooden door, all of that spelled Lisette. “Enter, Lisette.”
She did so immediately, a troubled frown on her face. “Hoheit. I’m sorry to disturb you like this. But I think this takes priority.”
He waved her into the chair across from his desk. Alric didn’t always appreciate the interruptions, as often it meant losing his train of thought. But he did like speaking one on one with his people, so the chairs on the opposite side of his massive desk were comfortable and meant to encourage people to stay and talk. She settled into the embroidered chair like an actress posing for a picture. Lisette’s every movement was always a study in grace.
“I just left Cameron’s room, by the by.”
“Oh?” Alric’s head immediately popped up, all thoughts of his witness statement shunted to the side in an instant. “How is he?”
“Well, all things considered. Our young mage recognized this.” Settled, she pulled the Amulet of Noh out of her pocket and held it up in illustration.
Alric blinked at the triangular amulet, not following. “From his family’s history—?”
“No, Hoheit,” Lisette cut him off with a shake of the head. “I wish. No, he said he’s seen this very thing on a person at the hotel. That he bumped into them in the lobby, and it was hanging about their neck. He thought it a necklace at the time and only remarked on it because it glowed.”
The pieces fell together in a dizzying array. Alric slammed his hand against the desk, biting off an oath. “It wasn’t random, the attack on him. Cameron is being hunted.”
“Someone knows what he is. They picked up on it very quickly. That was my first thought as well. What I don’t understand is why and by who. The Ice Dragon Clan…?”
Alric’s eyes closed as he pinched the bridge of his nose, trying to think. “Dieter spoke with the king’s advisor. They know—or at least knew—nothing of him. Were incredibly happy to hear we’d found a mage, actually, and are supportive of it. It’s not them.”
“There is absolutely no other reason to want Cameron except for his magical prowess.” Lisette paused and perhaps smirked a bit. “Unless you’re an unmated dragon who has a penchant for smart young men in glasses.”
He opened one eye to stare at her. Alric absolutely didn’t want to know. That smirk of hers told him as much. So why he opened his mouth and asked was beyond him. “What are you suggesting?”
“Your eyes linger.” Lisette’s smirk widened to the point of blatant amusement. “I don’t blame you. He’s a very charming, vivacious man. He certainly would appeal to you, as you’ve always been drawn to the intellectual sort.”
“I think we’re getting off-topic.” Alric absolutely did not want to discuss this with her further. He couldn’t pursue Cameron like he wanted to. Doing so openly would put a stay on the rest of his clan, as they wouldn’t choose to cross him if he showed interest in someone. He had to give others the opportunity to approach Cameron. And doing so would likely lead to his own downfall.
Alric was aware he was a damaged man. No use denying the obvious. Cameron’s interest and flirting had been incredibly lovely, sparking life in Alric in a way no other had managed in years. Part of him wanted to wallow in that, to flirt back with Cameron. But he knew it would be all too selfish if he did so.
It pained him, an ache in his chest from that lost opportunity, but Alric was used to pain. Used to shoving aside his own wants and needs for the betterment of his clan. His mind stayed focused on the truly important thing, which was Cameron’s safety.
Lisette knew him too well. She read him effortlessly and tsked him in reprimand. “Really, Alric. You act like you’re a man past your prime when it’s quite the opposite. You need to pursue him.”
Groaning, Alric kept his temper in check. “Let’s focus first on his safety. The spells they used in the alley to snatch him, you’ve analyzed those?”
“Gunter and Jana have, yes. They’ve broken it down to the spell elements, and they’re tracing where those elements came from now. None of the spells were unique. We can’t tie it to any particular family.”
Before the war, each magical clan had their own specialties, their own spells and craft. They sha
red some with other families, but that knowledge was hoarded like a miser would gold. Such a practice turned out to their detriment. With the war, the clans’ knowledge died with them, a great deal having been passed down through oral tradition. What records they’d been able to recover weren’t comprehensive by any means.
Even five hundred years later, the few living mages were still reconstructing spells and potions, trying to recreate something they never knew how to do in practice. It was maddening, and the mages more than once had gatherings to mourn the loss of knowledge. Alric suspected it was more like a pity party with actual booze involved, but he did have survival skills. He never said that aloud.
The kidnappers had used common spells, eh. No way to track them through those, then. They’d have to rely on the spell elements and hope their origin would give some clue. Mages had always harvested elements close to home, as outsourcing other ingredients was problematic in various ways. The spell elements should give them a rough location of the culprits, if nothing else.
“I expect we’ll have something to go off of in a few days. We’ll need to start a proper investigation tomorrow.” Lisette put the amulet away in a pocket before folding her hands over her knee, that arch look back on her face. “My conversation with Cameron went very well, by the way. He’s more open to his own magic now. Or at least, he’s willing to think he can work magic himself. I’m not entirely sure where this mental block of his originated, but I assume it was instilled in him through his family. His great-grandmother apparently never worked magic in front of her family. He has only a single memory of her doing so.”
“So there was magical knowledge in his line at one point.” Alric’s eyes closed in fatalistic understanding. “But because she’d not passed it on, it was lost. He’d mentioned something about this to me, but hadn’t explained it.”
“His grandmother was apparently always adamant they were mages, but without any way to prove or demonstrate it…” Lisette trailed off with a grimace. “Cameron made noises along the lines of his sister and grandmother being mages, he’s sure on that. I think it’s because they have always believed in magic. Because he hasn’t, he feels he’s not magical in and of himself.”
“Belief doesn’t have anything to do with it, though,” Alric objected. His heart twinged. That amazing man didn’t believe himself magical? Didn’t believe in his own potential? Alric didn’t know off-hand how he could possibly help Cameron understand that he was all of that and more. That he could be anything he chose. He wasn’t confined to the limits he’d imposed upon himself.
God, no wonder Cameron had reacted so strongly when Alric pushed. It must have been like rubbing lye into an open wound.
“I know it doesn’t, and I think I’ve explained it in such a way that he now understands that.” Lisette’s lips pursed thoughtfully. “I approached it in a very scientific manner, as I thought it would go over better. What with his focus in engineering. He understood the basic concepts very quickly. It will be a pleasure to teach that one. Such an amazing, sharp mind.”
Alric could have told her that. Cameron was both astute and observant. There wasn’t much that went over his head. “But he believes it now?”
“I think it’s still settling in. He’s at least open to the idea and was reading over the primer book I gave him with great attention. Considering all that he has been through in the past few days, I wasn’t willing to beat him over the head with it.”
“That’s wise. I fear we’ve overwhelmed him in many ways.”
“Yes, quite. He keeps coming back and asking more questions, though.” Lisette gave a half-laugh, her eyes crinkling up into charming crow’s feet. “So, we haven’t done too badly. I’m very curious to meet the rest of his family. I have a feeling they’ll be just as keen as he is.”
“I hope so. More mages are always a blessing to any clan.”
“It is always our delight to be part of a clan, for that matter.” Lisette got that look again, as if she were going to scold or encourage him. Her mouth was open, framing the words, but fortunately a knock at the door interrupted her.
It wasn’t a knock he knew, but Alric recognized the scent. Cameron smelled of magic, yes, but also of citrus and sun. Alric’s dragon might like Cameron’s scent just a tad too much.
“Enter!”
The door swung open, and Cameron’s head popped around the frame, his hair brushing against his cheek at the movement. “Hey, sorry to interrupt. I had a question for Lisette.”
She turned and gestured him in. “What is it?”
“I, uh, okay this may be jumping the gun.” Cameron stepped fully in and eyed her uncertainly. “I read the first three chapters, and I have a grasp on what all is entailed for basic spells, but I wondered if I could maybe try something? Really basic, just a little spell. I think I need to prove to myself one way or another if I can actually work magic.”
Alric’s eyes shot to Lisette, praying she said yes. He hated this uncertainty he saw in Cameron. He wanted only confidence and an open path for the man.
Fortunately, Lisette smiled and immediately stood. “Of course. There are several simple spells you can do that only require one element to work. I can teach you the invocation for it. You said the first three chapters, so you covered invocations?”
“Yes, I did.”
“Excellent, then let’s work an invocation. Less prep that way.”
Alric felt a flash of something in his chest. It was a mix of selfish impulse and a desire to break down Cameron’s mental block. He stood and stepped around his desk, moving in closer to both mages. “How about a wind spell?”
“Oh?” Lisette knew him too well. She was already suspicious, and her eyes studied him, waiting for the other shoe to fall. “Yes, I suppose. We can light a candle, put it in front of an open window. Less chance of damage that way.”
Cameron followed this logic with a nod. “Sure, if I can blow out the candle, that’s pretty good evidence. Um, what element do I use to power the spell?”
“Why not dragon’s breath?” Alric pointed to himself with a genial smile. “Since I’m here and available.”
“That’s an element? Then sure, thanks.” Cameron looked nervous about this idea, but his shoulders were set. He was game to try.
If this took the worry and stress off of Cameron, Alric would be happy to supply him with dragon’s breath all night. Hopefully a single spell would be enough to settle the question, though.
Lisette lost no time in setting up a candle in the window, the glass panes swung outward. She lit the candle with a quick spoken word before pulling Cameron about to stand in front of it. “Now, I’m sure the primer covered this, but let me reiterate it. Spells aren’t just words. They’re directions. You are speaking to the element you want to use and directing it in the path of your making. In this case, you are calling on wind—vente—directing it forward—anti—and closing the spell—gev adi.”
“Vente anti gev adi,” Cameron repeated carefully.
“Close. Put more emphasis on the ‘v’ in vente. It’s not a soft sound.”
“Vente anti gev adi.”
“There you go.” With a supportive smile, Lisette asked, “Ready?”
“Yeah, I think so. Um, how do I draw dragon’s breath?”
Alric didn’t know what possessed him. Mischief, maybe, as he certainly felt mischievous. But despite all his internal admonishments, he wanted to touch this sweet-natured, brilliant man. Just a little. He was moving before he could re-think it. He caught Cameron’s head in a light but steady hand and tilted his face down, leaning in to kiss soft lips. He lingered there for a moment, unable to help himself. Damn, kissing this man was too sweet. Cameron was obviously startled, he didn’t kiss back, and still all Alric wanted to do was kiss him more. To stay like this, just a little longer.
But he couldn’t and shouldn’t.
Alric drew back, forcing himself to take a half-step away and out of Cameron’s personal space. He drew on a smile somehow, keeping
the encounter light-hearted. “Speak your spell.”
Cameron looked a little wide-eyed, definitely dazed, and he swallowed visibly before he turned his head and focused on the candle. “Vente anti gev adi.”
The wind that rose up was immediate, strong enough to ruffle their hair and clothes. Alric knew dragon’s breath was one of the more powerful spell elements, but this much?
The candle went out immediately, the air rushing outwards harmlessly through the window. Then the candle itself knocked over, rolling a bit on its side in the open stone window casing. Cameron huffed out an astonished breath, his palm pressed to his chest. He couldn’t take his eyes from the candle. “I—I—holy shit, I really just did that, didn’t I?”
Lisette took his shoulder in one hand and gave him a gentle shake. “I told you. Has it settled in now?”
“I mean, I just blew over a candle with a few words from six feet away, so yeah, I believe it.” Cameron stared down at his own chest, hand still pressed there over his heart. “More than that, I felt it. A warm glow in my core, like I’d swallowed a pocket warmer or something. I felt lit up from within. That’s what using magic feels like?”
“Most of the time,” Lisette answered with an indulgent smile. “If it’s a major working, then the sensation is more powerful. Be careful when working magic. An unbound mage like you will suffer some fatigue after any working. And the major workings will be beyond you, until you’re bound to a dragon, so don’t attempt them.”
“Gotcha.” Cameron stopped and eyed them both sideways. “So…just checking…but does this mean I have to kiss a dragon every time I need a power boost for a spell? Because hot damn, I’m so okay with having to kiss handsome dragons. I will suffer that hardship.”
Alric felt his cheeks burn under a light blush. That was not at all the impression he’d been trying to give Cameron. It was just a stupid, selfish impulse on his part, but—Cameron thought him handsome? That was flattering. Alric felt his ego inflate a bit.
Read ‘a bit’ as enough to fill the room to bursting.