onto us.
Thankfully, Elle somehow had come to the same conclusion. “Yes, Mademoiselle Mystrim would very much mind showing her magic.” She scowled and peered up at Nefari through the thick frames of her glasses. “And you have some nerve making such an impertinent question of such a powerful mage!”
Gabrielle made a breathy sigh, and Elle nodded. “I agree, Mademoiselle Mystrim. No one—Acri or otherwise—told us such a craftsman would be so rude!”
The subtle namedrop had enough of an effect on Nefari to make him bow. “My apologies, Mademoiselle Mystrim. I’m afraid sometimes my curiosity makes me uncouth. Please allow me to assure you I am grateful for your patronage.”
Gabrielle made a sniffing noise, pointedly looked away from him, then minced toward the door.
“You are forgiven,” Elle informed Nefari. “Though you’ve ruined Mademoiselle Mystrim’s overflowing good mood, and she has decided to leave.” Elle plunked a bag of coins down on one of the tables. “You have received the payment, including extra compensation for your speed. Mademoiselle Mystrim’s business with you has concluded.”
Angelique lingered in the showroom with Elle while she delivered her speech. Quinn had gone ahead with Gabrielle—probably to hurriedly rearm herself so they could make a quick exit.
Nefari picked up the pouch of money and poured it out on the table, examining the gold coins. “Yes, the payment appears to be in order. It was a pleasure to do business with you, er…with Mademoiselle Mystrim.”
He stayed behind to caress the coins as Elle and Angelique beat a hasty retreat into the hallway. But after a few moments, he joined them as the group waited for Angelique to hurriedly swipe up the few extra weapons she’d shed and for Quinn to put away the last of her arsenal.
Hurry, hurry, hurry! We need to get out of here before his curiosity overcomes his greed!
“I hope the pendant is a help to you—and that you share the news of your patronage with friends…like Acri,” Nefari said.
Gabrielle stood like a statue so Elle could adjust the hood of her cloak for her. The way Gabrielle stood—with her arms hidden by her cloak but folded at her waist—made Angelique suspect she was cradling Puss.
When Elle finished, Gabrielle glanced at Nefari and ever so slightly nodded.
“Of course—should your spell prove as powerful as you claim,” Elle said.
Nefari puffed up. “It’s held up against Angelique before.”
Angelique was again thankful for her helm as her eyebrow involuntarily twitched.
It did…but it didn’t matter once I used my core magic.
Elle made a noise in the back of her throat, but Quinn opened the door, cutting off the need for conversation.
“We take our leave. Thank you for seeing to the pendant for Mademoiselle,” Elle said.
“Yes…of course.” Nefari sounded vaguely distracted as he glanced at the door of his study and frowned briefly.
Oh, no. Did he have a spell set up that we didn’t know about?
Sweat—cold and clammy—dripped down Angelique’s spine.
We need to get out. NOW.
She stomped through the open door. Her heart thumped so painfully in her chest, she didn’t even notice when she stepped into the blustery cold wind. She snatched up her sword and belt and tossed Quinn hers.
“Good day to you, Mage Nefari.” Elle stoop-curtsied, but Gabrielle didn’t bother—she was already walking away.
Angelique and Quinn followed after her, and Elle scrambled to catch up.
“Walk slower,” Elle hissed.
“We need to get away from here,” Gabrielle growled above the howl of the wind. “He was starting to question our cover.”
“That’s why we have to slow down!” Elle said. “If we run now, we’ll look as guilty as sin!”
Angelique made herself walk slower. Quinn did a better job at it—she kept herself in a guarded stance, but her steps looked measured rather than haltingly slow and edgy like Angelique’s.
Nefari never came after them.
Elle made them walk all the way back to the city, and no one chased them down.
They’d follow the detailed plan Elle had made them all memorize: once they reached the Arcainian city, they would go back to their inn, pay their bill, and leave, crossing the border to Loire and head south.
Or so it would appear. Speaking not a word of what they’d discovered, they’d shed their disguises in the wild and then travel north, making their way to a Loire Count’s lands that Elle knew. There, they would establish their new base, discuss what they’d seen, and Angelique would be free to once again use her magic.
And then, Angelique told herself, then the real search for Evariste will begin!
“Take more of your core magic and