Scholar of Magic (Art of the Adept #3) - Michael G. Manning Page 0,198

never left Ethelgren’s and they smoldered.

I’m going to be sick, thought Will.

Think! This isn’t easy for me either!

“That’s an interesting look on you, girl, but I’m too old to be fooled,” Ethelgren informed her. “This is your brother’s body after all.”

“But you aren’t my brother,” she replied, her voice shifting to a slightly different register. “And no man has ever forced me to submit before.”

“Then you have never faced true power, amateur,” replied Ethelgren, but there was a look of nervousness on his face.

Will understood the man then. Despite Linus Ethelgren’s bluff and bluster, the man was deeply insecure, and being faced with Laina’s sudden reversal, he was unbalanced. He knew it was likely a ruse, but he was torn between his desire to believe, his sense of worthlessness, and the natural taboo that most men felt when it came to violence against women.

It didn’t hurt that Laina was especially comely, and her eyes were burning with desire.

The wizard hesitated, then spoke. “I cannot kill a woman such as you, for I have rarely faced such a determined—and lovely—foe.” He released her hair. “But I cannot trust you either.”

“You will release me?” Laina responded, sounding almost disappointed. Then she hopefully added, “Or would you rather punish me?”

“Enough, temptress! I have more work to do. I know your feminine cunning.” He started to walk away. “Cross me again and I will show you no mercy.”

Will realized then that they might live, but something else occurred to him. The Ring of Vile and Unspeakable Knowledge was still on his hand, or rather, on Ethelgren’s hand. If the wizard ever activated the limnthal, he would soon discover the ring’s secret.

And Arrogan had no idea that it was no longer Will at the helm. His knowledge might well fall into Ethelgren’s grasp as well. At the very least Will needed to find a way to warn him. “Wait!” he said suddenly, taking control of their voice.

Ethelgren paused, “What?”

“You have his limnthal.”

“He had a limnthal?” asked Ethelgren, his tone changing to one of interest. “He was further along in his training than I realized.”

“There are a number of important family heirlooms stored within it,” said Will. “I beg you to return them.”

You’re terrible at this, observed Laina. You sound like you’re bartering for turnips at the market.

Well excuse me for not knowing how to sound alluring! Will bit back.

“Whatever is in there is mine now,” said Linus Ethelgren, with a tone of finality.

“Some items were purely sentimental,” he added. “I don’t want anything of value. Plus, you have no idea what was stored in there. I could help.”

“I could just empty the entire thing. Or better still, with a little time I’ll sift the details from his memory,” said Ethelgren.

“Sir, please show some mercy.”

The mad wizard paused. “What is it you want exactly?”

“He kept a journal within. It was a gift from his grandfather. In the back there was a handwritten note from his wife.”

“A spellbook?”

“Just odd spells,” explained Will. “It was his grandfather’s first spell journal. Nothing you would covet, but of great value to the family.”

“Hmm. I’ll be the judge of that,” said Ethelgren, his eyes glinting greedily. “If I see nothing of value, you may have it. Describe the journal to me; it will help me find the memory so I can summon it.”

Will described the journal carefully, and after a moment the mad wizard nodded. Raising one hand, he activated the limnthal. Now’s my chance to warn him, thought Will. “Sir, since you’ve taken control of Will’s body, is there a chance you’ll let me have some of the potions or other minor possessions he kept stored within the limnthal?” Hopefully Arrogan was paying attention.

Who? asked Laina, but before she could reply, Ethelgren stiffened. His eyes rolled back into his head, and he started to fall.

Catch him! urged Will, since Laina had already taken control of their body.

She leapt forward and rammed her elbow into Ethelgren’s jaw, then