"We need someone to create some sort of doorway into a warding circle."
She frowned. "I do not think I could spare —"
"You do not need to," Kiandra cut in. "I'll send one of the fifth-year trainees. They will be more than capable of handling such a task."
Being a trainee at the Brindle didn't mean you were new to magic. It was quite the opposite, in fact. Witches came here to hone their skills and to become both a master and a teacher. I knew it took at least ten years to reach the master rank, so she was sending someone pretty damn proficient.
"Thank you, Kiandra."
She nodded without looking at us. "Ilianna, I believe Rozelle is available. But look after her, reaper, or I will be displeased."
Azriel bowed, the movement regal. "You have my word no harm will befall her."
Ilianna caught my arm and guided me back out the door. "Has there been any word from Tao yet?"
"No."
She grimaced. "I fear for him, Risa. I can't see anything but fire in his future."
"He'll pull through this. He's stronger than you think."
"I hope you're right." But her expression said that I wasn't.
And maybe she was right. Maybe there wasn't any future for him. But that didn't mean I could give up. I wouldn't, not until every single option had been explored and abandoned.
We went back up to the next level and into a section that I knew from past visits held the sleeping quarters for the witches stationed here. Rozelle was tall, pretty, and looked all of twenty. Which meant she had either become magic proficient at a very early age, or she was much older than she looked. Most witches didn't usually begin the master's training until they were at least thirty.
Ilianna explained who we were and what we wanted, and Rozelle bounced up from her seat, gathering magical bits and pieces and carefully placing them into a carryall.