Cursed: Briar Rose's Story - Kaylin Lee Page 0,77

work of alchemy.”

I shivered. The party in the parlor, hallway, and street in front of our villa was loud and boisterous, but the kitchen descended into a long, thoughtful silence.

“You look like you want to say something, Bri.” Mom nudged me after several moments. “What is it?”

“Just wondering.”

“Wondering?”

“Did the magic from the eruption cross the ocean? Will it undo the work of the plague the Masters sent to the West?”

Chloe shook her head. “If Theros is the only continent to contain an excess of magic in the air, then I don’t think the eruption will go beyond our shores, Bri. I’m sorry.”

“So the West won’t be healed.”

“They’re already dead, aren’t they?” Ruby scrubbed her face. “I doubt there’s anyone left to save. It’s been almost two decades since the plague began. And it travels so easily from person to person, and they’ve had no purifier mages to remove the curse like we have.”

“I know. Just wondering, like I said.”

Ruby nodded, then took a long gulp of her chrysos and set the glass down. She raised one brow and speared Chloe with a pointed look. “That was a little bit reckless, dear friend.”

“Believe it or not, I’m actually quite averse to risk.” Chloe tossed her hair. “But I’m getting tired of safety these days. In fact, I think I’m officially done with it.”

“Oh, yes. Good.” Ruby seemed to suppress a smile. “Erik’s in the parlor, you know. I just saw him come in the front, and he seems to be looking for someone.”

“Hmm? Not sure why I’d care.” But Chloe whipped out her lipstick and touched up the red, glossy color on her lips, then arranged her dark hair around her shoulders.

“Go on.” Ella nudged her. “Go be reckless! You already saved the continent. This will be easy.”

Chapter 47

“Ladies, in the kitchen, look at me! Say … Victory!” A dark-haired man with a notebook stood in the doorway between kitchen and parlor.

“Seth!” Ruby stood abruptly, her hand on her hips, and smiled. “What are you doing here?”

He waved, oddly sheepish. “Your grandmother sent me out for an article on Victory Day for tomorrow’s paper. Said she thought you’d be here. Happy Victory Day, right?”

Ruby crossed the room and embraced him, then stood back and shook her head, softening the motion with a warm smile. “I don’t think so, Seth. Perhaps you can interview at another victory party, as it sounds like everyone in the city is currently hosting one.” She squinted. “What is that thing you were waving around?”

“It’s called a captura.” Seth held up a fist-sized, navy crystal, flat on one side, sharpened into a point on the other. “New invention. The magic sends out light wherever you aim it and captures an imprint of the scene in here. Saves it, I mean. Nothing violent or dangerous, I promise.” He tapped the flat side. “Then we’re supposed to pull the scene out back at headquarters and put the imprint in the newspaper, beside the story. So our readers can better envision the setting.”

“It actually works?” Ella wrinkled her forehead. “I thought that invention failed a few years ago.”

He shrugged. “The inventor hadn’t given up, apparently. It’s only now, with all the magic in the air, that it’s finally working.”

Belle cocked her head, her eyes narrowed. “Who’s the inventor? Is he alone or working for a mage-craft shop? Does he have any financial—”

“Well, I don’t want to be captured by that thingy.” Chloe was back in the kitchen, her lipstick looking a bit smudged. She poured herself another glass of chrysos. “I’m having the best day of my life, no magic needed, and I’ve already been captured by someone else.” She winked at Ella, looking quite smug.

Ella squealed and winked back. Then she held out a tray for the bewildered-looking reporter. “You can capture our Victory Day pastries for the Herald,” she said helpfully. “We cut the crust in the shape of Asylia’s city walls.”

“I’m supposed to be capturing people celebrating.” He pointed the device at Chloe. “You’re the one who created the curses that got our teams to the crater, aren’t you?

“I said I don’t want to deal with magic right now,” Chloe said, her playful tone gaining an edge of annoyance. “Put that thing away.”

“It’s not that kind of magic!” Seth sounded exasperated. He shifted the device, pointing it toward me, Alba, and Ruby at the table. “Just smile and say ‘victory!’”

“Yes!” Alba fluffed her hair and beamed at him, but then she shook her head. “Actually, I don’t