ora

s, spitting us out onto the polished black granit

the mantle. The air here was warm and crisp, scented with mountain pine and ancient protective enchantments that hummed softly beh

rward from the arched entryway, their wand

emanded, his voice hard. "Lord Leland Car

at pocket and pulled out the heavy bronze medall

e secondary branch, a token representing an absolute life debt to the Carlisle family, his postu

d stammered, stepping back to

asn't the butler. The double walnut doors swung open, and an older man practically

Lord Leland Carlisle, the esteemed scholar of the high council,

etched with lines of deep thought. He wore soft, scholarly robes, devoid of the aggressive mili

reblood restraint. He took my hands in his, his grip warm and stead

said, dipping m

ward his inner study. He motioned to the stunned butler who had scrambled in be

ble; he settled into a smaller stool, quietly munching on

plush leather armchairs near the fire. "I sent search parties into the peripheral mists, but the council sealed the perimeter before we could recove

ducation. He needs proper magical instruction, and I cannot enroll him in a reputable academy without

ightly, confused.

trying to find the Saint Hand to cure your mother," I said, mee

y calm shattering into absolute, bewildered shock. "Yo

tate alchemical s

alchemical balances was unmatched, but to think you are the master we have been praying for... Consider Silas's education done. He will have a full scholarship under the Carlisle personal

he heavy study doors ban

lver fox fur, her dark hair piled high in an intricate arrangement held together by diamond hairpins. Behind her trailed two young peo

rlisle. Lel

d boots and faded jeans, her lips curlin

e a shard of ice. "The servants told me you welcomed beggars into the inner study.

et out a snickering laugh. "Mother, look at her cloth

ered over me with an insolent, lazy curiosity th

od up from his chair, his scholarly calm

rous register. "Aurora is a master alchemist and the most honored guest of this

A girl who barely squeaked past the remedial wards, dragging an illegitimate brat behind her! Have you lost your mind, Leland? The

y in my hands. The insult barely scratched the surface; compared to the blood-soaked threats in

decision is mine. Silas is enrolled, and they stay. If I hear one more disrespectful word fr

ilver fox stole tightly against her throat, glared

ther waste his gold on trash. We will see wha

out, Beatrice trailing behind h

k to me with an apologetic look. "I apologize, Aurora. My wife has... conce

ne mentioned," I said, setting m

ed grimly. He walked over to a heavy iron safe behind the tapestry, tappe

ee weeks ago," Leland said, handing the folder to me. "Our best family healers are baffled. The flesh on h

h my thumbnail, opening

old woman's veins. It was a fifth-tier Death Weave, a curse so complex it required breaking down the victim's soul node b

hout killing the host, the stabilizin

at the bottom of

st: a pristine

est alchemical mineral in the northern hemisphere, and the very item c

g chamber," I told Lela

mmediately, relief washing over his tired features. "

's hand. "Because finding that shard is going to b