CHAPTER 18 #3
“We rest, or, if necessary, we replenish by pulling from other sources, like nature or even another person.”
My eyes widened. “How do you take it from another person?”
“It’s done through a Siphon Charm, but it is used as a last resort, since you can’t siphon so much mana from someone. Some say you can transfer more with skin contact. The more, the better.” He grinned. “I see the idea makes you uncomfortable.”
“Am I blushing?” I asked coolly and shrugged. “Is it possible to use all your mana? What would happen then?”
“Exhaustion can leave one drained mentally and physically. Using it past exhaustion can be harmful. It can cause injury, or at worst, death. We would have to be without choice to reach this point.”
I nodded. “Thank you for enchanting my cloak.”
Finn bowed his head and suggested a few books that might interest me, sending me to wander along the aisles.
I was still scanning the shelves when a title caught my eye.
The cover indicated it was a study of the legal foundations of the mage folk, including the consequences of misusing their powers.
The tome stayed in my hands as I headed to my bedroom, already late for dinner. My plan was to keep it with me until I had time to read through anything useful on sentences.
I did a quick job of taking a shower and getting dressed, my mind already piecing together what to wear, so I asked the room for it, and that was that.
The pale blue button-up shirt reached my thighs, even with the brown belt around the waist. I put on dark denim pants and a pair of leather boots that felt like walking on clouds, tying my hair in a loose bun.
The dining room was still empty when I arrived, but I hadn’t waited long before hearing voices coming through the corridor, and all five of them entered the room.
“I always expect more people than you, Barracus,” Cerridwen was saying as she crossed the threshold. “I prefer to be wrong because the food was excessive rather than because it lacked.”
“All I hear is that you prefer to be wrong,” the old man muttered from her side.
They seemed to bicker often. From what I could tell, there was no romantic connection between them. Still, the thought had crossed my mind.
“Good evening, Jane. You’re early today,” Cerridwen said.
“Looks like someone’s hungry,” Reagan murmured, striding after them.
“I thought I was actually late,” I said.
Reagan leaned toward me, and I straightened instinctively. He brushed a kiss against my cheek, and I froze.
The room froze with me. Every pair of eyes turned our way, utterly silent, including the two staff who had slipped in last.
I cleared my throat.
“Apologies for keeping you waiting,” Reagan said smoothly, sliding into his seat, utterly unconcerned by the gawking around us.
He seemed unusually cheerful, his gaze lingering on me with a casual confidence that ignored the inquisitive look I gave him.
Finnegan crossed the room to sit beside me, while Gwinifer took the seat next to Cerridwen.
“Yes, I’m terribly sorry too,” Gwinifer added with a mocking lilt as she sank into her seat. “I’d give you a kiss, but you’re too far away.”
Ignoring her, the first thing that came to mind slipped from my lips. “So, you had a meeting?”
“Yes. Reagan, Barracus, and I were discussing preparations for the Aurora Rite,” Cerridwen explained. “Did we already tell you about this celebration?”
“A little,” I said.
Reagan summoned the food. Platters of roasted beef, peas, carrots, and rice appeared on the table, accompanied by salt, pepper, pistachios, almonds, and bottles of water and ale.
“Well,” Cerridwen began, her tone brighter than usual, “the Aurora Rite is our first winter celebration. It’s when we welcome the season by feeding the aurora lights.
Every citizen is invited to the castle, even those who live far away, though not many can make the journey. Some villages host their own rites.”
“Aurora lights?” I asked, recalling descriptions I’d heard before. “But you can’t see them from here. At least, I never could back in Ehrfurt.”
“This is not your human town, Jane,” Finnegan remarked, piling food onto his plate.
“Will this be your first time seeing them?” Reagan asked, slicing into a piece of roasted beef.
I nodded. We began to eat, the table filled with the soft sounds of utensils and conversation, until I felt Cerridwen’s eyes lingering on me. Her gaze swept over my clothes.
“Jane, where did you get that shirt?” Cerridwen asked, her tone intrigued.
“I asked the bedroom for it. Why? Is there something wrong with it?”
“No, nothing wrong,” she said slowly, as if weighing her words. But she didn’t finish her thought.
Reagan was looking too, his eyes narrowing slightly.
“What is it?” I asked, glancing between them. I couldn’t see anything unusual about my outfit.
“Nothing,” Reagan said at last, a grin tugging at his lips. “I like the shirt.”
“If that’s really it, why do you two look like I’ve been rolling in the mud?” I asked, squinting.
“It’s just . . . The shirt you’re wearing,” Reagan began hesitantly, “is mine.”
I lowered my fork and knife onto my plate before glancing down at the shirt.
“That can’t be. I asked my room for this shirt. What would your shirt be doing in my closet?”
Gwinifer chuckled, lifting her clasped hands to her mouth as if to suppress a laugh. “Oh, I have ideas.”
I gave her a warning glare. “Keep them to yourself.”
Reagan glanced at Cerridwen and then back at me, with a look of someone brewing something in his mind.
“Should I change?” I asked when the silence stretched uncomfortably.
“No, you can wear it,” Reagan said casually, stirring the food on his plate. “It was probably put in your closet by mistake.”
Despite his attempt to downplay it, the questioning looks around the table didn’t pass me unnoticed.
My cheeks flushed as I realised what they might be thinking. Did they assume Reagan had undressed in my room at some point? Did they even know we kissed? The thought made me want to sink into my chair.
“Did Aisling respond to the terms you gave her?” Reagan asked.
Finn inclined his head. “She agreed. Vaelon will be part of the new trade. We’ll have the first order by early next week.”
“If the weather cooperates,” Gwin chimed in.
It seemed the agreements with the two estates had paid off. Mountheim’s stores would hold for the coming months, even with the blight still gnawing at the fields.
“Did you ask her about our wards?” Reagan asked.
“Why would she know anything about our wards?” Cerridwen cut in, her brow furrowed.
“Aisling knows a lot about warding,” Reagan explained. “I thought she might have some insight into why ours are failing.”
Gwinifer spoke next. “She said there’s likely interference in the area, but it could be caused by any number of things. She would come to take a look if we asked.”
Reagan hummed, the sound carrying a clear note of reluctance. It probably wasn’t ideal to have anyone aware of their security measures.
“Speaking of,” Barracus cut in, “Wicklow, care to report what transpired at the border today?” He glanced at Reagan. “Heil sent a message.”
Gwinifer tipped her head, swallowing the last of her bite. “Wraiths. Seven of them. Spotted at the Blackened Peaks, but we couldn’t tell where they came from.”
Barracus turned to Reagan again. “We’ve already increased patrols along that border. It’s a barren stretch, with few posts between there and the city. Most of the surrounding areas are populated, far more interesting for a wandering Wraith to feed on.”
“Then why would they be there?” Cerridwen asked, her piercing stare locking onto Barracus. “Why would Wraiths fly over barren lands just to venture north?”
“Exactly,” Crow murmured, leaning back in his chair. “Why would they?”