Chapter 9 #3
Nessa shook her head, putting up a finger.
“There was a ley line close to Kingsley’s.
I think that thing he built siphoned power and stored it.
Then he used the stored power to create the spell.
Tapping directly into the line will make your power flourish.
Anyone’s power can grow, assuming you can handle the gush of it. ”
“It’ll help keep power stored in a house,” Niamh murmured. “That explains some things.”
Sebastian stared at Nessa for another long moment. “I haven’t heard of magic that can do that.”
“I know,” she said. “Neither had I…before Tristan set me on its trail. I was researching energy and opened an educational wormhole. Momar knows how to tap into it, probably only pulling out a trickle. That’s why he has to store it. Or did. He’s had time to experiment.”
Again, the staring.
“I am extremely well read,” Sebastian told her, almost like he was accusing her of something. “I haven’t heard about this. Sure, there is speculation and myth about the ley lines, but I haven’t seen anything concrete. How did he find out that information?”
She shook her head slowly. “I don’t know. He’s stumbled upon a lost art, it seems, only he doesn’t know how to properly tap into the vein.”
“Or maybe he does know,” Niamh said, “and he wants to know exactly where that vein is around here.”
Austin looked at her. “Or that.”
“But…” Jessie rubbed her temples. “A map on a wall of a tourist office? He snuck in for that? Surely someone must have a better picture. Hell, he could call up the office and ask them to email him one.”
“This one has certain measurements that are best taken at its full size,” Nessa said. “It really is a remarkable painting. I wish I could’ve met the woman who did it. If he wants to be as accurate as possible, he’ll want the physical painting.”
“And I assume ye stole it so he couldn’t have it?” Niamh asked her. “Or should we take a trip into town right now?”
Nessa laughed. “I bought it. Ted, the manager, put up something different in its place. Anything for Jessie Ironheart.” She winked.
Sebastian ran his fingers through his hair, falling back into the couch. “You’re going to have to take on that research, Nessa. I’m having a hard time finding spells that can act as alerts for such a large space. There must be something, but I’m not finding anything that’ll work. I’ve been trying—”
Aljoe held up his hand. “Remember what we said?”
Sebastian looked at Aljoe with bleary eyes. “Focus only on what we need to get through the conclave. We’ll do the rest after.” He rubbed his eyes. “So much better than a plant.”
“I got it.” Nessa nodded at Sebastian. “Finally, I have something in my magical wheelhouse.”
“Focus only on what we need to get through the conclave,” Jessie said, looking at Aljoe.
She nodded gratefully. “I needed to hear that, thank you.” She rubbed her hand down her face, smearing her eye makeup.
“Let’s go eat something while Fred works on that phone.
My connections have gone dead. No one is roaming around. That mage spooked and got out of town.”
“That’s good,” Sebastian said, standing. “That means they are exploring. Gathering information. They are in the beginning stages of…whatever they are planning. And what they are planning seems to be drawing on a nexus of power and annihilating us. So, we’ve got that to look forward to.”
“O-kay, all right.” Nessa stood and wrapped an arm around Sebastian’s shoulder. “Let’s get some food and some sleep. We’ll solve all the world’s problems tomorrow.”
Jessie and Austin stood as well. Jessie looked at Aljoe, who rose with them.
“Did you want dinner?” she asked, smiling at Nina and Zara. “No problem if you’re tired. Please, do whatever you need to. You won’t offend anyone here. But if you’d like a little something, we have a whole meal waiting.”
“I’ll just have a quick chat with them, if you wouldn’t mind, Jessie,” Aljoe told her, and nodded at Austin as he passed.
After they’d left, Aljoe faced his sisters. He’d already warned them that the house had ears.
“I am tired but starving,” Zara said, “so yes, I would like to eat.”
“I can’t get over the change in you, Yazanth,” Nina said, her eyes sparkling. She allowed a tiny smile. “You’re so…expressive.”
“And laughing!” Zara touched his forearm. “It’s nice to see. Scary—”
“Weird,” Nina said.
“—but nice,” Zara finished. “But whatever happened tonight—”
“No idea.” Nina arched an eyebrow. “You’ll have to explain it.” Over my head.
“They seem like a well-oiled machine, though.” Zara inhaled deeply. “A lot of moving pieces. The mage was…invisible?”
“Yes,” Aljoe responded. “I’ll explain it all later. They are not a well-oiled machine. They’re something better.”
“I can’t get over how much power is in this territory,” Nina whispered. “That beta?”
Zara grinned. “What about that beta?”
“He’s no beta, so that’s a start.”
“And he is very handsome,” Zara said suggestively. Her grin widened.
Nina frowned at her sister threateningly. She clearly didn’t plan to admit her interest.
Zara let it go, instead looking at Aljoe solemnly. “We were a bit worried about you, Yazanth.”
“It’s a big ask, taking in someone like you,” Nina added.
“We worried they might all work against you to take you down.”
“Or use you.”
“Or offer you the world only to demand something for it. But we can see—”
“That you are actually happy.” Nina put her hand on his forearm, her version of a tight hug. “We’ll back you—”
“Always,” Zara finished.
Aljoe nodded at them. “That means a lot. But it won’t just be me you’ll want to back.
They’ll take you through all their people tomorrow and give you a complete rundown on their convocation.
Trust me when I say that you’ll want to be within this urban legend for your own benefit, not just for me.
” He turned for the hall. “And you forgot about the vampire again. Not wise, that.”
Both women jerked their heads to the plant by the wall.
Edgar lazily waved at them, his long canines visible. “Enjoy your dinner. I hear the food is mostly edible.”