Page 110 of The Demon's Delight
“I’ve taken it,” I said.
She closed her eyes and tried to shift. “Good. Now give it back.” I requested her power be given back, and her lavender magic obliged.
Ophelia watched me, a playful smirk appearing as she grew half again her normal size, with the same greenish-gray stone skin Lovette had gotten in her other form.
“Nicely done, you,” she said after shifting back again. “Shall we celebrate with some tea?”
The woman adored her whiskey, that was for certain.
When Seir came that afternoon to retrieve me, he could tell that we were in a far better mood than we had been in at the beginning of our training.
“I think she’s ready, young man.” Ophelia raised her teacup to him, as he bit into a slice of her freshly baked bread drizzled with butter and honey.
“Truly?” he asked, and Ophelia nodded. It was like they’d had conversations about me, without me, and were giving me marks while ignoring that I was in the room. “Do you think she can?—”
“I’d almost guarantee it.”
“Excuse me?” I interrupted. “What are we talking about?”
“Portals.” Seir beamed.
“Take the necklace as backup, but I think her control is plenty good enough.”
“Portals?”
“Yes, Moonflower. I have something to show you.”
Ophelia sent us on our way with an open invitation to return and my gratitude. It felt a bit like a dismissal, but I understood that for a solitary creature, several days in a row of prolonged company visiting was likely far too much and cause for some hibernation.
When we got back to d’Arcan, the classroom was full to bursting, everyone I’d met present at once except Magnus. He’d been taking long shifts at the council building, investigating all the things Brookes had been doing.
“How did it go?” Calla asked.
“She had me steal her shifting ability and then give it back,” I reported, still a bit stunned that I’d done such a thing.
“She did?” Imogen asked, barking a laugh.
“Insisted.”
Lovette chuckled as well. “Then she was confident you’d be fine.”
Rylan came over, necklace dangling from his fingers. “I think you’ll find this much more comfortable.”
“Thank you.” I took off my ring and tested it out, the hum barely noticeable, but the well very easily accessed. “Yes, that’s much better, thank you.” I took it off again, handing it to Seir. He placed it in the little velvet-lined jewelry box I’d brought with me from Ravenglen.
“This too,” Imogen came forward, pride in her eyes as she presented me with a finely worked leather sheath. I removed the clasp to find my knife handle sticking out.
“I thought…” My words faded as I pulled the obsidian dagger out, not my little herb knife. She’d fitted my knife handle onto the obsidian blade, so I could have the best of both. It was perfectly balanced and felt as natural as breathing in my hand. “Oh, Imogen. Thank you, it’s perfect.”
She beamed. “You’re welcome.”
“Well, if we’re giving gifts, here are these as well.” Vassago gave Seir and I each a small scrying mirror. “Don’t?—”
“Break it. I know.” Seir bowed his head, a blush on his cheeks.
“Why does it feel like we’re leaving?” I asked, looking around the room.
“I told you, I have something to show you. We can come right back if it’s not to your liking.”
