Page 134 of The Demon's Spell

“We’ll take our chances,” Nadine said stoically, not giving anything away.

Leto shrugged. “Very well. Don’t say I didn’t warn you.”

Professor Leto continued down the staircase. I waited until his footsteps disappeared before I turned back to Nadine. “Sounds like he’s not making any progress. Perhaps the priestesses will get sick of him and banish him themselves.”

“I wouldn’t count on it,” she said. “They’re desperate.”

“Let’s hope so, because we’re going to need them to cooperate.”

I took Nadine’s hand and led her up the stairs. The door to the Imperium headquarters was open, and all conversation died when we stepped into the room. The three priestesses weren’t alone, though. Claudia Sinclair sat at the table with them, and she blew an exasperated breath when she saw Nadine.

“Dear Goddess,” she mumbled.

Lilian looked annoyed. “If you’re here to argue, save your breath. We’re working very diligently on actually accomplishing change.”

Nadine reached into her cloak. She stomped straight up to the priestesses and slammed the Seer Wand onto the table. “I’m here to fulfill our deal.”

The priestesses’ jaws dropped in unison, and the room went dead silent. They couldn’t believe Nadine had found it.

Claudia scoffed. “And what is this? Some sort of peace offering?”

“Forgive me, but this doesn’t concern you,” Nadine stated firmly.

“I believe it does,” Margaret countered. “Claudia is an interim priestess. She is privy to any and all information the Imperium Council has access to.”

“Like Nadine was before she was inducted?” I blurted. It was clear the priestesses would manipulate the rules at any time to suit their favor.

“She is a student,” Margaret sneered.

“And a priestess, nonetheless,” I said.

“Never mind that,” Nadine cut in. “The three of you agreed to expedite my kidney transplant, should I find another Oaken Wand. Surely as a new priestess, Claudia will honor the terms of that agreement. The Seer Wand, as promised.”

Lilian gaped, and the other priestesses seemed equally speechless. I didn’t think they expected Nadine to find another Wand so quickly. They were using her transplant as a threat, never realizing they might have to follow through on it.

Claudia reached across the table and picked up the Wand. I didn’t know what I expected to happen, but she was a Seer. Perhaps she’d have some sort of influence over it.

But nothing happened. The Wand had rejected Claudia.

“How do we know it’s real?” Claudia asked.

“It’s real,” Lilian said breathlessly. Claudia handed the Wand to her, and Lilian turned it over in her hands. “I’ve witnessed the Wands before, when I was first inducted to the council. This is the Seer Wand.”

“Where did you find it?” Margaret demanded. “Knowing where your grandfather stashed this one may lead us to the others.”

“He split them up; I’m sure of it,” Nadine said. “But you’re welcome to go looking for more. We found it inside the Vanishing Stairwell.”

Charlotte shivered, like the very thought of going down there freaked her out. It wasn’t like they would find anything else there, though—not since we stabilized the spell.

“Very well,” Lilian said as she stood. “You’ve upheld your end of the bargain, and we shall fulfill ours. We will put forth our best effort to get you your transplant—”

“The agreement wasn’t for your best effort,” I snapped. “You promised Nadine results.”

Lilian scoffed. “What do you expect me to do, force the doctors to comply? You’ve already been denied your psych evaluation once. I can’t make your psychiatrist approve.”

My hands curled into fists. “I’m sure you can persuade her. You promised Nadine the best doctors, the best Alchemists healing potions—all of it. Nadine’s done everything you’ve asked. She’s found two Wands in a short amount of time, which no one else has been able to do. If she dies, the chances of you getting another Wand go out the window. If you want Nadine to continue hunting these Wands, you need her to be healthy enough to do so.”

Margaret pursed her lips and stood beside Lilian. “Nadine found the Seer Wand as agreed upon. She will get her transplant.”

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