Page 80 of The Demon's Delight
We started with the first word, the unusual tongue curl at the end throwing her several times. I clapped proudly once she got it right. The second word was easier and only took her a few tries. We practiced putting the two together, then moved onto the third, which was a very simple single syllable.
“Alright, now all together,” I said, and she recited them all perfectly. I kissed her on the cheek with a loudsmack.
“How will we know I said them right? What if whatever in me that cancels magic effects the mirror too?”
“My brother has a mirror as well, and it will activate if you did. I’m hopeful we’ll get lucky and the mirror is a kind of magic you don’t affect, but we’ll know shortly. We don’t look alike, my brothers and I. Vago is the pompous sort, very posh. White hair, silver clothes?—”
“Miss me already, Seir?” Vassago asked, and his face came into view inside the mirror. As I was behind Hailon, it was her face he saw in the glass. “Hello, there. My apologies, you must be Hailon?”
She was too stunned to speak. I could understand, the magic required to do such a thing was nearly unfathomable, and I’d been used to being able to use it for a very long time. Finally, she found her voice again. “Yes, hello.”
“It’s a pleasure to meet you. To what do I owe the honor?”
“I was just teaching her how to use your little mirror.”
“Mylittle mirror?” Vassago scowled lightly, every word properly enunciated in his irritation.
“I’m leaving it with her when I go back. Just in case she needs something.”
“So, it’s notallmagic that’s affected by her then. Rylan will be pleased to have some new information to obsess over. When do you leave?”
“I’m supposed to be sent back by tomorrow evening.”
“I see.”
He turned his attention to Hailon. “Please feel free to use the mirror any time. I’m near one in my classroom most days, but there are others throughout the collegium as well. I’ll let the rest of the house know, so they are never ignored when they alert.We’re here for whatever you need.” He swept an arm across his chest and bowed his head gracefully.
Pompous prick. His precise, gentlemanly gestures had always made me smile, and this was no exception. At least until Hailon blushed, and then I rolled my eyes as a tiny thread of jealousy worked itself under my skin.
“Thank you, that’s very kind.”
My brother smiled, eyes shifting to me. I could see the wheels turning behind his eyes. “Have you made it to your destination?”
“We’re on our way to Revalia, actually.”
“Is that so? I thought you were bound for Ravenglen.”
“My business there was finished much faster than expected,” Hailon said.
“How wonderful. We’ll be very happy to see you both.” Vassago smiled, then shifted his eyes to me again. “We could easily come retrieve you, if you’d like. Save you some travel time? There are several options for that, in fact. Some with wings, some without. Though I understand there may be a bit of a… complication with flying where you’re involved, Hailon.”
“Yes, chances are high that anyone trying to use shifting-based magic within close range of me would find their abilities either gone or limited.”
“There are certainly other ways. In any case, I look forward to visiting with you in person soon.” Vassago nodded and turned his attention to me as Hailon excused herself for a moment. “The carriage as well as someone with wings can be on the way shortly, if you think that’s wise?”
“I do. Thank you, Vago.” Relief swept over me. Hailon would be protected one way or another. “We’re in the woods outside of Ravenglen. I have until tomorrow evening, but I wasn’t sure that was enough time to cover the whole distance on foot. We haven’t had much luck with horses—they seem bothered by Hailon’spower. But having someone with her when I cannot be would offer great relief.”
“Understood. We’ll think on that, perhaps there’s an incantation that we can use…” His gaze went distant and thoughtful.
Hailon returned, and we discussed how she’d know if they were trying to contact her through the mirror.
“Like a scream? That’s terrifying.” She frowned.
“But effective,” Vassago defended his choice. “Kettle noises are ignored, I’ve found.”
“Fair enough,” she muttered.
“Thank you, again, Vago.” I waved to my brother and then swept my fingers across the glass, ending the conversation and cutting the magical link. “See? Nothing to it.”
