Page 66 of Cast in Atonement

Maggaron accepted it. Kaylin knew she’d’ve been either hurt or angry, or probably both, in his place.

“He isn’t worried for me,” Bellusdeo had said. “The Keeper and the cohort, as well as the Chosen, will be my escorts and guards should the need arise.”

“But what about him? What about his place?”

Bellusdeo hadn’t understood the question. To be fair, it didn’t seem like Maggaron had, either. Maybe it was just a human thing.

She rethought her position when she entered Mrs. Erickson’s house; the ceilings weren’t of a height Maggaron could easily manage without walking on his knees.

“This is where I lived,” Mrs. Erickson said, almost apologetically. “I know it isn’t much.”

“It is larger than my own humble home,” Evanton replied. “The storefront takes up much of the living space, and your halls are wider.”

“And less creaky,” Kaylin muttered.

Evanton asked no questions until Mrs. Erickson opened the closed door to what had been a family room or a parlor. He did, however, reach out to place a staying hand on the old woman’s shoulder. “Corporal.”

Bellusdeo said, “Let me check.”

Hope squawked. Loudly.

“You realize she’s mortal, right? The marks of the Chosen don’t change her essential nature?”

Squawk. Squawk.

“Fine. Your familiar wants you to look first.”

“That might be a problem,” Serralyn said, in a quiet voice.

Bellusdeo exhaled smoke. “I honestly do not understand how Terrano has survived. Were I Sedarias, I would have strangled him by now.”

“She’d have to catch me first.” Terrano’s cheerful voice came from the interior of the darkened room. Kaylin had chosen to lift a mark from her skin and send it ahead of where they walked, at roughly chest height. It had been a steady, and strong, source of light, until she’d reached this room.

“She’s too busy avoiding assassins,” Mandoran added. “If any one of us could murder Terrano, it’s Sedarias.”

“I don’t understand,” Kaylin said, as Mrs. Erickson and Evanton stepped aside. The hall wasn’t large, and jostling for position took a bit more time. “Azoria’s dead.”

“You have experience as a Hawk,” Evanton said. “You are aware that there are enchantments that survive their creators. I believe you have even encountered them.” He wasn’t impressed.

This was true. But if Kaylin died this second, she was certain the light in the house would be extinguished. And she knew if summoners died, their summoned elements would vanish. It was only if the summoner lost control—and survived it—that the elements raged wildly.

“It’s simple. Some magic is like carpentry. If the people who built Mrs. Erickson’s home died, the home would not collapse; it is a house. Time and wear occur naturally, and if a home is not kept in decent repair, it will eventually crumble—but its existence is not linked to its builder’s life force. Again, you have had experience; you should know this. I begin to wonder what kind of teacher the Arkon is.”

“Rather, wonder what kind of student Kaylin is,” Bellusdeo said.

“Ah, yes, I forget myself. It is a habit of the old. Perhaps the Arkon is struggling with the raw materials available. Very well. There was an issue with this room—or so I was told—and I would like to examine the structure of this particular enchantment.”

Kaylin nodded. “We’re going to need a different lamp, though—my light might not cut it here.” She turned to Serralyn, whose eyes were blue. “Has Terrano stumbled into anything dangerous?”

“Not yet. Sedarias is arguing with him now.”

“Tell him to listen—Mrs. Erickson’s home isn’t large, and I don’t want angry Sedarias to descend on us all. Again.”

Serralyn sighed. “It’s Terrano,” she added. She’d really gotten good at employing the fief shrug. “He says the enchantment is still present.”

“The painting?”

“Yes. I thought it would change, but it hasn’t. He can see the flowers in young Mrs. Erickson’s hair clearly—but they don’t look like flowers. Not the way he’s examining them.”

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