I slung my hair over my shoulder and began to absently braid it. This was a nervous habit that Mother Superior had discouraged in the Zelle Cloister, but Amelia told me it was appropriate for women to constantly preen. I was glad to have the ritual back. “Amelia encouraged me to smile.”
“Because that works for her. I wouldn’t suggest it for you, though. You’re better off playing the cold beauty.”
Ever since Amelia had begun her so-called lady lessons, I’d been carrying a burden of worry on my shoulders. For the first time in ages, that weight lessened a little. Cold beauty? That was essentially the emotionless way of acting that I’d been taught at the Cloister, only combined with a pretty gown. I could do that. “Thank you. That’s most helpful.” Philippe only stared at me in reply. I stepped closer and waved my hand in front of his face. “Hello?”
Again, no reaction.
My skin prickled into gooseflesh. The air had become heavy with magick. I reached out with my mage senses. Wild energy careened around me. I bit back a smile. I’d felt this power before.
Rowan was nearby.
Philippe remained perfectly frozen. The barest hint of red mist floated around him. No question about it. A stasis spell had been cast on Philippe.
I turned about, my pulse speeding faster than ever. “Rowan?”
A few seconds ticked by. Nothing happened. I was starting to wonder if I’d imagined it all. All of a sudden, Rowan stepped out from the shadows. He was still wearing his odd outfit—hunting leathers and a long cloak—but there was no mistaking the man’s rugged face and intense green eyes. “Elea.”
“How long have you been following us?”
“Since you left the mansion.” He leaned against a tree and kicked his left ankle over his right. “This admirer of yours is a persistent fellow.”
Admirer. Why did Rowan think that? For some reason, I wanted to make sure he knew that Philippe wasn’t my sweetheart. Not that I cared what Rowan thought. This was merely for accuracy’s sake, nothing more. “Philippe is no admirer. His sister Amelia is helping me. Philippe wants to aid in the effort. That’s all.”
“Glad to hear it.” Rowan gave me the barest grin. Still, I felt the heat of it right through my stomach.
It took an effort to look away, but I needed to. If I wasn’t careful, I’d be standing in the forest, ogling Rowan like a love-struck fool when I should be saving my friends.
Only two days remained.
I straightened my spine and refocused. “I have important news. There are two Royal estates that could be hiding Ada and my other Sisters. Philippe and Amelia are helping me inspect them.”
Rowan stepped closer. He smelled of leather and musk. It made my insides squirm. “Excellent work.”
My heart warmed under his praise. “There’s more. Amelia Masson is the Lady Amelia. She’s confirmed that the Vicomte is indeed charging a totem ring with Necromancer power.” I pulled the witness watch from my pocket. “The ring itself is housed in a watch exactly like this one.”
Rowan stared intently at the device. “That watch you’re holding… Can it gather Necromancer energy too?”
“No, only the vortex watch can do that, and sadly, the Vicomte has that device.” I tapped the machine in my palm. “This is a witness watch. Amelia built it to track what’s happening with the vortex one.” I quickly pointed to the different parts of the watch face. “See? This shows how much time is left until the ring is fully charged.” I was proud of how I was able to keep my voice steady while I spoke.
“And how long until that comes to pass?”
“Two days.” I fought hard to keep my features level. “That’s poor news for me and my friends.”
“It’s bad for both of us.”
“Why? You still don’t know what the Vicomte plans to do. Once he has Necromancer power, he may not wish to destroy the Casters.”
Rowan’s gravelly voice became even deeper. “The Vicomte is already trying to hurt the Imperial family. We’ve gotten word that he’s launching an assassination attempt against Genesis Rex.”
“Your uncle?” My eyes widened. This was news. “How do you know?”
“The source we found in the Vicomte’s court gave us irrefutable proof.”
“Is Rex safe?”
“We’re taking diplomatic steps. The King will be fine.”
“But Rowan—”
“There’s more, Elea. Things are worse than you know.”
That doesn’t seem possible. “How?”
“That’s why I came to see you. I must show you something. Follow me.”
I gestured to Philippe. “But what about him?”
“Oh, he’s safe enough. My stasis spell will last for a few hours yet. And my people are close by, in case anything happens.”
I squinted into the shadows. If Rowan’s guards were lurking in the trees, I couldn’t see them. “Is it anyone I know?” For a time, I’d stayed with the Casters in the Endlos desert. Until this moment, I hadn’t realized how much I missed their bright spirits and quick laughter.
“No, sadly enough.” Rowan moved off deeper into the shadows. I was about to call him back when his bird began diving before me while twittering excitedly.