“Automatic activation seems awful limiting,” Elle said.
“Most prefer it, as the spell—once attached to a gem in a necklace—can be easily hidden and avoid detection. However, it can be manually activated, as well.”
Nefari held the necklace out in front of him and muttered. The jewel shimmered before an iridescent green shield snapped into place around the mage.
Angelique narrowed her eyes as she studied the shield.
I know this spell. Where have I seen it?
A moment passed before she remembered the Chosen mage she’d first encountered in Zancara. Both times he’d attacked her, he used a necklace that powered a shield spell Angelique had had a terrible time trying to get past.
This must be where he got it from…
“However,” Nefari set the necklace down. The shield spell flickered around him for a moment before it fizzled out. “If you are looking for something capable of protecting you from the likes of Angelique, your best option will be to get a custom-made piece—so the spells can be specially tuned to you.”
Gabrielle stared Nefari down with nerves of steel, her golden eyes glittering with nothing but boredom as she met his gaze.
For a moment, even Angelique forgot Gabrielle wasn’t a magic user—there was so much confident power in the princess’s gaze.
Nefari shifted his weight from one foot to the other and clasped his hands behind his back. “Naturally, this means a delay. A custom piece takes several months to build. But once I finish, I will attune it to you, which will guarantee the spell’s top performance level.”
Considering a return trip was exactly what they’d been aiming for all along, Gabrielle and Elle did a magnificent job of falsifying outrage.
Gabrielle sniffed.
“Yes, indeed, Mademoiselle.” Elle bobbed in a wobbly curtsey, then turned on the slightly intimidated Nefari. “Months? I say it again, months? You wish to keep Mademoiselle Mystrim from the comforts of her home for months? When she has already said money is no object? What kind of mage do you take Mademoiselle Mystrim for?”
“Er, if I increase the price, I suppose I could delay some other orders if it is really that important—”
Gabrielle collapsed her fan and then slapped it into the palm of her hand as she glared at him.
“What did you not understand about Mademoiselle Mystrim’s feelings for your measly prices, mage?” Elle snapped, crowding at Gabrielle’s shoulder.
“My apologies.” Nefari awkwardly bowed.
I don’t think I was ever impressed enough with Elle and Gabrielle, Angelique reflected as she watched the fierce pair stare down the thoroughly cowed Chosen mage. I never thought anyone besides a powerful mage could inflict fear into a Chosen follower!
He settled his shoulders (the upsetting air of normalness that surrounded him grew with every gesture he made), then snapped his fingers.
The little girl abruptly appeared in the doorway and bowed. “Yes, Master?”
“The lady is going to place a custom order,” Nefari said. “Get the necessary forms.”
The girl bowed again, then disappeared down the hallway as silently as she appeared.
Hmmm. We’ll have to make sure the little girl is occupied—or Quinn and I will never know if she’s around or not when we get a chance to search this place.
Nefari set a hand on his chest and slightly bowed his head. “Now then, let us begin discussing what spells you would like in your custom jewelry piece.”
Angelique only half listened to the conversation—just to see if he dropped any spells of significance besides basic alarm, shield, and defensive spells.
He had a couple of nasty attack spells that were looked down upon by the Veneno Conclave—a cloud of poisonous gas and a charm that would instantly blind the target—but nothing out of the ordinary.
By the time the girl returned with the form, it was apparent to Angelique that the mage’s greatest skills lay in the shield defense spell.
And the craftmage he’s working with to forge everything isn’t nearly as good as Stil, so the gem can only hold an extra spell or two—and that’s just because we’re shelling out loads of money for a superior gem.
Angelique prowled around the far end of the room with more confidence since Nefari hadn’t ever glanced her way.
I imagine his run-of-the-mill necklaces—like the one the war mage that I fought with had—only have shield charms.
The information wasn’t at all helpful in locating Evariste, but Severin would be interested in it—as would Clovicus and the other handful of mages that were working with the alliance these days.
Angelique casually glanced down the hallway as she paced back and forth, trying to give herself the air of an impatient mercenary as Elle filled out the forms with a few huffs and labored sighs from Gabrielle.
Five doors. One must lead to the workshop downstairs. I think it’s reasonable to expect there’s a private study for Nefari given how he runs this stronghold.
Angelique tried leaning on the walls to see if she could feel anything in the timbers or drywall of the cottage that might indicate where the study was—it probably had enchantments on it to ward off fire, like Evariste’s library back at Wistful Thicket. But all she felt was the cloying black magic and the hundreds of spells that were attached to the gems.
“Very well,” Nefari said, redrawing Angelique’s attention. “Given that we have settled on a price for what spells you have selected, I will need a down payment.” He smiled smoothly. “As proof of your finances.”
Gabrielle slowly blinked.
“Naturally, Mademoiselle Mystrim says,” Elle interpreted. She untied a small sack from her belt that clinked when she set it on the table.
Nefari yanked the sack’s drawstrings open and peered inside before he passed the papers they’d filled out to his servant girl. “Run this down to the workshop.” He swatted his hand at her in a shooing motion but kept his eyes on the money—based on his smirk, he’d over charged them a great deal.
It’s fine. Severin will get the money back when he ransacks this place.
Angelique watched the servant girl pick up the papers and scurry back down the hallway. She’d purposely positioned herself so she could see where the girl went—though she tilted her head down so, with her eyes hidden, it would seem like she wasn’t paying attention.
The little girl slipped through the smallest door—the one sandwiched between the two much larger doors. Angelique only saw the faint flickers of light dancing on the wall before the little girl stepped down and pulled the door shut behind her.
He told her to run the papers down to the workshop. It’s underground, like the ranger said. Angelique fidgeted a little and continued her attempt to appear to be bored. I didn’t see where she went to get the papers, but he didn’t tell her to run downstairs to get them. Does that mean he keeps his papers on this main floor?
Angelique internally fumed that she hadn’t moved in time to watch the girl when she first left. But perhaps one of the other women noticed something she hadn’t.
“Everything seems to be in order,” the Chosen mage said. “I will send for you when we are ready for an attunement. Where will you be staying in the meantime?”
“Ohh, no.” Elle brandished a finger at him until her spectacles almost slipped off her nose and she had to wrestle them back into place. “We will not be telling you where the Mademoiselle chooses to retire—she has no use for your lewd advances!”