is I imagine it takes a lot of power…and…” Angelique hesitated as she stared at the equine of the sky—who, she suspected, had powers far beyond anything she could dream.
The breathing constellation took a step closer to her, bringing his muzzle close…and then sneezed in her face.
Angelique scowled and tossed the starfire crystal she’d brought in her satchel. “Forget it—there’re more important matters. We were attacked by magic constructs. I want to ride through the forest to see if we can catch the mage who made them—or at least find a trail.”
Pegasus swung around so fast, he almost rammed his hindquarters into her.
“Thank you.” Angelique scrambled onto his back, awkwardly throwing her leg over his hindquarters and yanking on his neck as she pulled herself into position.
Pegasus didn’t seem to mind. He hopped a little, sliding her into the correct spot on his back, then turned in a circle.
“I’ll try to sense the mage with my powers. If you could make sure I don’t get smacked by branches, I’d appreciate it.” Angelique twisted her satchel so it rested behind her on Pegasus’ back, then leaned low over his shoulders.
The constellation snorted, then started out at a prancing trot that moved into something uncomfortably close to a canter. (Uncomfortably, because it was still dark—especially now that they were in the forest with no moon to light their path—and because Angelique still harbored the fear of colliding with a tree.)
She stared at the blue, flame-like fringe of his mane as she finally loosened her magic, letting it spill around her, hungrily covering the ground as it prowled around.
If the mage is still in Luster, we’ll find him. He can’t possibly outrun Pegasus!
The duo searched for at least an hour—traveling from one end of the forest to the other. Despite their meticulous exploration, they didn’t uncover so much as a scrap of magic.
Nor did they uncover any trace—magical or physical—of the constructs.
“Which means they weren’t built in one location and then physically sent here, right?” Angelique braced her palms on Pegasus hindquarters and leaned back as the constellation picked his way back to the cottage. “They would have left some kind of trail—broken branches or stamped-on snow. Especially with as many as attacked us. But that means we’re dealing with a mage who is capable of creating constructs a long distance away from their location, and it kills the possibility that it could be a less-powerful mage using artifacts. A single, powerful black mage is a terrifying thought, but it would take more than a single enchanter’s power to pull that off, I think.”
Pegasus was quiet as he drifted through the forest.
“Unless…we think Evariste is in Juwel, and if the mage responsible for Faina’s outbreak is the same mage who attacked us here, it’s probable that he’s using Evariste’s magic. So perhaps he used Evariste’s magic to create a gate for himself? We’ve seen the Chosen use his magic before, after all.” Angelique groaned. “I don’t know enough about black magic and advanced spellcasting to know this! I assume you didn’t feel any other mages, Pegasus?”
Pegasus shook his head and snorted embers from his nostrils.
“I’m glad it wasn’t just my inability to sense magic.” Angelique sat straighter, flinching when one of the herbs tied to her satchel poked her in the back. “But none of this narrows down the possibilities very much. I’m too ignorant to deduce anything.”
Pegasus swished his tail as he passed by a tall fir tree. He stopped, awkwardly arching his neck so he could partially peer back at her.
“What? It’s not like Sir Bossy is hiding a hidden penchant for ancient magic lore—even if he knows more about herb wizards than I like,” Angelique said.
Pegasus stamped a hoof with enough force it made his entire body twitch, which moved Angelique as a result.
Angelique grabbed her bag before it could slide off his back behind her—and likely wrench her neck along with it. “What? Do you want me to use the mirror and call Quinn and the others back for a consultation session? It’s not probable she’ll know anything I don’t.” Angelique blinked as she realized what she’d just said. “But…Clovicus would. And Severin was sending him a mirror.”
Angelique mashed her lips together as she pondered the matter.
I’d be waking him in the middle of the night—and I might not even be able to reach him if he is spelled up to his gills like I am to protect myself. But he’s an experienced Lord Enchanter, and he takes the