Embers (Scales 'N' Spells 4)

Attention bouncing between the kings, Nikki explained, “The others didn’t really come from magical backgrounds. Their families had forgotten they were ever mages, so they didn’t grow up learning anything. I did. My parents taught me little spells, at least. I know something of magic. Enough that I could recognize what the Jaeggi were doing and figure out parts of it. Some of it I couldn’t figure out because the Jaeggi created their own spells.”

“I see. Well, makes sense. Of course they would if they lost as much knowledge as we did.” Alric rubbed his chin with a thoughtful finger. “So, they’ve developed spells specifically so we can’t seek them out or trace them. That makes our job harder. Where are they located?”

“They move every few months,” Nikki said. “They have no central location. I can create a list of where they’ve been, though. From what I remember. I think if I put my head together with everyone, we can get you a pretty comprehensive list.”

“That’ll certainly help. We might be able to figure out a pattern or, at the very least, know where not to look.”

Nikki made a mental note to start that directly after the meeting. “They stay in Europe and try not to repeat going back to the same place twice. Small towns or mostly-abandoned places, that’s where they like to go. Somewhere with few witnesses.”

“Good to know.”

Nikki wasn’t sure how far they’d gone into the last place, trying to track the Jaeggi, but they felt it prudent to add, “You need to be cautious going through any place the Jaeggi have had to leave quickly. It means they probably didn’t dismantle any of their security spells. They’re hyper paranoid about not only you finding them, but of us escaping. They liked to lock down places with nasty wards.”

Chalo and Alric exchanged perturbed looks.

“Not something we were aware of. Thank you for that warning, Nikki.” Alric looked at Chalo again, this time clearly scheming. “I can’t leave here readily, too much is going on. With this information, do you want to try again?”

“It leaves a bad taste in my mouth to know we’re only one step behind them. I want to latch onto a trail, if I can. But I don’t think me going over there again will change anything.” Chalo raised his brows a little in question. “Nikki, will you go over there? It might not be me who goes, but someone will go in and try to pick the trail back up. That person would benefit greatly if you helped guide and safeguard them.”

Nikki didn’t even need to think about this. If there was any chance of getting revenge on the Jaeggi, they’d take it. “Of course. I’ll go anytime you wish.”

“I love that attitude, thank you. I’ll organize a party, and we’ll leave soon.”

The door opened, and Consort Cameron swept through. His eyes landed on Alric, and he growled in vexation.

“You,” he told his spouse tartly, “are supposed to be resting right now.”

Alric pointed to himself innocently. “I’m just sitting here, talking!”

“You are working, don’t give me that shit.” Cameron stalked to him, latching onto a hand and pulling Alric out of the chair. “You have major surgery this afternoon and you are on strict orders to rest.”

“I can rest after the surgery!” Alric protested, rolling his eyes expressively.

“Why are you such a workaholic? I am here to handle what you cannot, remember? And right now, you’re not supposed to be working.” Cameron addressed the room in general. “Sorry for this, carry on. I was sent by his doctors for operation prep, so you can’t have him for the next few days.”

“It’s not that time already.”

Cameron pulled out his phone and displayed the clock in front of his husband’s face in challenge.

Alric visibly deflated. “Oh. I guess it is.”

“Time flies when you’re having fun,” Cameron deadpanned. “Off to the operation theater for you. Everyone, as you were.”

As abruptly as he entered, Cameron left, taking Alric with him.

Nikki watched them go, blinking. Well. That was one way to end a meeting.

Now what, precisely, was he supposed to do about this?

Gunter regarded the mage curled up in a chair. At his work table. In his library. Without any invitation to be there. And yet, despite that, they looked completely ensconced.

People came into the library to pester Gunter, or to consult with him about something. They came with purpose and left when satisfied. They didn’t just come in and sit and stay. Nikki doing that alone was weird enough, but then they doubled the weirdness by not demanding anything of Gunter. As if Nikki found Gunter’s very presence enough to satisfy them.

Strange concept. And likely not true; Gunter didn’t know what Nikki was here for. It wasn’t that Nikki stayed all day, only most of it. And consistently every day for the past twelve days. Surely there was some purpose behind this. Gunter just didn’t have enough pieces to see the overall puzzle.