Chapter 2 #2
“In both directions?” Ambrose had a notebook in hand and a pencil poised to write.
He always had it with him. It was easy to know when something intrigued him.
If it did, his notebook and pencil were mysteriously present within seconds.
I was convinced this was the sole reason he wore one of those vests every day—for the pockets.
His gaze snagged on me staring at the notepad. It was his turn to flush. I might have commented about it once or twice. He explained himself unnecessarily. “You never know when you’ll need to record your findings.”
I rolled my eyes, having heard that answer before.
Lord Arctos looked delighted, then answered Ambrose’s question. “Yes, in both directions.”
Ambrose made a note and gave me a sideways glance that had me itching to cross my arms over my chest.
“And you want to know what? About the connection in general?” I asked.
Gabriel glanced at Lord Arctos. “We want to know if there is any precedent for it. And, in particular, if there is a way to undo it.”
“To undo it…” Ambrose seemed like he would ask another question. I had a feeling it was the same one I had. Why do they want to undo it?
“We want you both to work on this. Your combined knowledge of history and blood magic is unparalleled in any of the courts. Ambrose, you have used your knowledge of history to better understand blood magic anchors, and Evelyn, though you’re new, your understanding of the discipline and your intuition for the magic are unmatched.
You two are equally paced in your research paper submissions, and they are all of the utmost quality.
Quite honestly, there is no one else in your league. ”
My cheeks warmed. This was news to me. I’d been under the impression that Ambrose, the library’s golden boy, was in a league of his own.
Gabriel continued. “As Lord Arctos has said, we are short on time. So, to incentivize you both, whoever can explain the connection first will receive a promotion.”
Ambrose’s mouth opened just as mine did, but Gabriel cut us both off.
“The promotion will be to Vesten historian, the top research position for the court, working for the Vesten Point.”
My mouth hung open, now for a different reason. Ambrose’s teeth clicked together with force as his snapped shut.
I started, “That position—”
“Hasn’t been filled since Carter had it, yes,” Lord Arctos said.
Carter was Gabriel’s son. The current leader of our court had been the best researcher this library had before he was called to the position of Vesten Point.
That hadn’t been what I was going to ask, but I was glad for the god’s interruption.
The real thought that had crossed my mind was that a half-fae had never held that position.
Gabriel kept speaking, and I hung on his every word.
“Carter has a new vision for the position. Its name will remain the same, but given the trajectory of magic on the continent, he requires any future holders of the title to be as adept with blood magic as they are with Vesten history.” The head librarian glanced between us.
“If I could melt you two together, you would be the perfect candidate. As it stands, Evelyn is stronger with blood magic, and Ambrose is stronger with history. But you’re each making remarkable strides with your weaker subject. ”
I bristled. The only reason I wasn’t an expert in Vesten history was that I hadn’t been allowed in the library until a few months ago. If I’d had the opportunity to study it prior, I would have mastered it. What was Ambrose’s excuse? What fae snobbery drove his hesitancy with blood magic?
It didn’t matter. My mind was already exploring the possibilities of me in the Vesten historian position.
I could change the way blood magic was studied.
My research could open unlimited possibilities for those born without magic.
The position had seemed so far out of my reach that wanting it hadn’t even crossed my mind.
Now I wasn’t sure I could let it go. I could elevate the profile of half-fae in all the courts by winning.
To realize that Gabriel thought me qualified made something warm swell in my chest, and I didn’t quite know what to do with the emotion.
My excitement had my animal reaching for the reins again. This time, thinking of her only spurred me along. This could be the key to solving the conundrum of my shift. The position would provide access to the information I needed. I was still in a daze as Gabriel continued.
“We will help you in any way we can”—he gestured between himself and the god in the corner—“but please know information on this magical connection is incredibly limited.” He glanced again at Lord Arctos. “The gods and Compass Points only recently became aware of it.”
“So, we need to find out what the magic is and why it exists?” I asked.
Lord Arctos bristled. “We have some idea of what it is.”
Ambrose was scribbling furiously in his notebook. “Can you share?”
“Let’s see how you do with the first piece of information Carter has for you.”
The beast inside me tried to shake my tenuous hold. She didn’t like that this seemed like a test, that we weren’t receiving all the answers the god had. “Do you know if it’s blood magic?”
The fae drew a clear line between elemental magic and blood magic.
They considered their elements the pinnacle of magic, and anything else was a cheap replica.
It was part of what had drawn me to blood magic—the idea that anyone could use it.
I didn’t know what the gods thought of it. Lord Arctos was the first I’d met.
The god studied me. He tilted his head, and I could easily imagine his bird form replicating the motion. “I don’t know. Such distinctions don’t occur to me. Magic simply is.”
My shoulders relaxed slightly at that. At least this response made sense to me.
“Carter believes that it is blood magic,” Gabriel added.
“Do you have any details of the connections?” Ambrose asked.
Gabriel nodded. “Lord Arctos and Carter tested the magic themselves.”
Ambrose sucked in a breath, and even I had to agree with his show of concern. Testing an unknown magic between a fae and a god was as risky as it got.
“Lord Arctos will explain the details when he deems it appropriate.” Gabriel pushed a book toward us.
“This is a journal of two human girls, daughters of a governor of a small village hundreds of years ago. Not directly related, but Carter thought it explained blood magic’s ability to … take control.”
Intent was tricky, I knew that, but this sounded worse.
Ambrose took the journal, and I pushed back my beast’s snapping teeth at the presumption that he would read it first. Begrudgingly, I told myself it was fine.
I had work at the tavern. Perhaps there was a way for me to collect the journal tonight when I was done.
“Anything else we need to know?” I asked, as I stood to leave.
Lord Arctos replied, “Not at the moment. I’ll tell you what I know tomorrow. Review this in the meantime.”