Chapter Thirty - Nine
Chapter
Thirty-Nine
MALACHI
"You're all here. Good."
I survey the three men gathered in my office, each representing a different facet of power, each crucial in their own way.
Gideon stands by the door, ever the sentinel, his posture rigid and watchful.
Asher sprawls in one of the leather armchairs, feigning casual disinterest though his eyes remain sharp.
Elias sits with perfect posture, his analytical gaze already dissecting my purpose for calling this meeting.
The morning light filters through the tall windows, casting long shadows across the polished floor. I've chosen this time deliberately—when our minds are clear.
"I assume this is about our houseguest," Asher remarks, a smirk playing at the corner of his mouth. "The one who's been making the rounds."
I ignore the bait, keeping my expression neutral despite the flare of irritation. "It's about the Magister. And the Council."
This captures their full attention. Asher's smirk fades, Elias straightens slightly, and Gideon shifts his weight, ready for whatever comes next.
"Gideon has confirmed that they're aware of a magical signature in this area," I continue. "They haven't pinpointed Sage's location yet, but they've already dispatched surveillance teams to watch the estate."
"How long until they make a move?" Elias asks, ever practical.
"Days. Perhaps a week at most," I reply. "They're calling it 'possible witch activity' in their internal communications."
Asher lets out a low whistle. "That's not good."
"No," I agree. "It's not."
I move to the window, looking out over the estate grounds. In the distance, I can just make out the garden where Sage tried to escape. The memory stirs something in me that I quickly suppress.
"We need to make a decision," I say, turning back to face them. "About Sage. About what we're going to do."
"What exactly are our options?" Elias asks.
"As I see it, we have three," I reply. "We can turn her over to the Magister and the Council, washing our hands of the entire situation."
"Not happening," Asher says immediately, surprising me with his vehemence.
"Agreed," I nod. "Which leaves us with two alternatives. We can attempt to hide her, to shield her signature and hope the Council loses interest."
"And the third option?" Elias prompts, though I suspect he already knows.
I meet his gaze directly. "We take on the Council."
A heavy silence falls over the room. Even Asher looks momentarily stunned.
"You're joking," he says finally, but there's no humor in his voice.
"I'm entirely serious," I reply.
Elias studies me carefully, his expression calculating. "Taking on the Council would mean open war. The four of us against the most powerful warlocks in existence."
"Five," I correct. "Sage would make five."
"She's untrained," Gideon points out from his position by the door. "Raw power without direction is as dangerous to its wielder as to their enemies."
"Which is why we would train her," I counter.
Asher lets out a bark of laughter. "You want to overthrow the magical government that's ruled our kind for centuries, and your grand strategy hinges on teaching a novice witch how to use powers she didn't know she had until a few days ago?"
When he puts it that way, it does sound absurd. But I've never been more certain of anything.
"Yes," I say simply.
Asher throws his hands up in exasperation. "Wonderful. I'll start planning my funeral. Something extravagant, please, with dancers and an open bar."
Elias hasn't taken his eyes off me. "I'm concerned," he says slowly, "that this entire situation has been engineered by you, Malachi."
I raise an eyebrow. "Elaborate."
"Your behavior regarding Sage has been... uncharacteristic," he continues. "The bid at the Ritual, bringing her here, your protective stance. And now suddenly you're proposing direct action against the Council—something you've carefully avoided for centuries."
I can feel Gideon's eyes on me, watchful, assessing.
"It makes me question your true motivation," Elias finishes.
His observation is uncomfortably accurate. My behavior has been uncharacteristic. I've acted on instinct rather than calculation, drawn to Sage in a way I can't fully explain even to myself. But I won't give Elias the satisfaction of acknowledging this.
"She is different," I say instead, my voice cool and measured. "Her existence changes things."
"Does it?" Elias presses. "Or have you simply found a convenient catalyst for a conflict you've always wanted?"
Before I can respond, Asher interjects. "Hate to interrupt this fascinating psychological analysis, but let's get back to the part where we're all going to die fighting the most powerful warlocks in the world."
I shoot him a sharp look. "No one said anything about dying."
"It was heavily implied," he retorts.
"Elias," I say, ignoring Asher's commentary, "you've spent more time researching the old ways than any of us. You know what she represents. What she might be capable of."
Elias doesn't immediately respond, his expression thoughtful. "I do," he acknowledges finally. "But that doesn't change the fact that your behavior has been... concerning."
"You've all spent time with her," I point out. "You've all felt it. She affects each of us differently, but she does affect us. Deny it if you can."
None of them speak, which is answer enough.
"I will need time," Elias says finally, "to consider whether I'm willing to ally myself with you in this."
I nod, having expected this response. "Take what time you need. But not too much. The Council won't wait forever."
I consider our options, weighing risks against necessities. "Regardless of what we decide about the Council, Sage needs to be trained," I say. "If she can learn to shield her own magical signature, we might buy ourselves more time."
This, at least, they all agree on.
"I can teach her control," Elias offers. "Mental discipline, focus, the fundamentals of magical theory."
"She needs physical training too," Gideon adds. "Combat skills. Endurance. She won't survive on theory alone."
"And I," Asher says with a flourish, "can teach her how to have fun with it. Magic isn't all grim faces and rigid disciplines, you know. There's joy in it too."
I nod, acknowledging each of their contributions. "We start today. Divide your time with her, but be methodical. We don't know how much time we have."
"And you?" Elias asks, his gaze sharp. "What will you teach her?"
I meet his eyes steadily. "Power. Raw, unfiltered power. How to channel it, how to wield it, how to make it bend to her will rather than the other way around."
Asher snorts. "Sounds intense. Maybe save that lesson for day two."
Despite everything, I find my lips quirking into the ghost of a smile. "We work with what we have."
The meeting concludes with a tentative plan—each of us will take responsibility for a different aspect of Sage's training, while Gideon continues to monitor the council's movements. It's not a perfect solution, but it's a start.
As they file out of my office, Elias lingers behind.
"She came to see you yesterday," he says, voice low enough that the others can't hear.
I keep my expression neutral. "She did."
"What did she want?"
"To understand," I reply simply.
He studies me for a long moment. "Be careful, Malachi. She's not just a weapon for you to wield against the Council."
"I know what she is," I tell him, an edge creeping into my voice despite my efforts to control it.
"Do you?" he challenges, stepping closer, eyes narrowing slightly. "Because I'm not sure any of us truly do. Including her."
There's a tense silence, and then he continues, voice softer but more pointed. "I know your history with the Council, Malachi. You've been planning your revenge ever since. But Sage shouldn't be used for your vengeance."
My jaw tightens. "This isn't about revenge. It's about justice."
Elias shakes his head slowly. "Is it? Or are you risking everything—and everyone—because you can't let go of the past?"
Before I can respond, Elias sighs, a weary acknowledgment passing between us. "She completed the binding ritual with me. And with you, too, I presume."
I nod once, reluctantly. "She did."
He lets out a breath, heavy with implications. "That changes things. Neither of us fully controls this situation anymore. Her power, her fate—it's all intertwined with ours now."
"Then perhaps it's time we start working together, truly," I say, reluctantly conceding the point.
Elias studies me again, a hint of respect returning to his gaze. "Agreed. For her sake—and ours."
With that, he leaves, closing the door quietly behind him.