Chapter Twenty-Five #2
The rhythmic ticking of a clock filled the room as Matherson apparently continued to consider the suggestion.
Jade pinched her eyebrows together, trying to guess what Matherson was thinking.
Was it really that outlandish of a prospect to him?
Magic-wielders were out there. The footman from dinner at Evenshold Palace returned to her mind, apparently having lived without exposure for years.
And then there was Arabella’s letter to Grannam.
More sorcerers and sorceresses live among us than we know, but they have become adept at concealing their abilities.
How did Arabella know that? And how much truth was there to it?
“It’s an interesting theory,” Commander Matherson finally said, “but I’m not sure it holds weight. Someone would have noticed by now. We would be able to make that connection.”
Jade’s shoulders slumped. It made sense to her, but that wasn’t enough for Matherson. She thought back to her encounter with the killer on the roof, trying to place any indication of magic being used.
Magic was having influence over others. The danger of magic was that a person could be influenced by a sorcerer or sorceress and not realize it until after the magic had been withdrawn.
Or perhaps not at all if the magic-wielder kept their influence of a victim in line with their personality and actions.
It wasn’t a mind-control, as the victim of magic was still in charge of their own faculties.
The power of the magic-wielders’ influence in speech or other form of persuasion would be convincing to the victim, enough to make them follow through with what was requested as if it were their own idea.
The military underwent specialized training to learn what to expect so they wouldn’t be caught unawares.
Nothing in her brief interaction with the assassin gave credence to the prospect of him being a sorcerer. Or did it? Why had she pulled her gun? She wouldn’t have fired it in such a scenario, and it cost her precious seconds.
But that wasn’t the only time she’d encountered him. That first night . . .
That first night, something strange had happened.
“I might have noticed,” Jade began slowly. She dreaded revealing the details of that night she hadn’t shared before. She’d had no good explanation for how she’d reacted while pursuing the killer, but now . . .
Matherson clasped his hands on the desk again and leaned in, his forehead wrinkling. “What do you mean, Captain?”
Jade inhaled and took a sidelong glance at Theo. His face bore the same curiosity as Matherson’s.
“When I first encountered the assassin, I trailed him through the woods on Count Aubergine’s estate and noticed .
. . ” Jade rolled her lips and shook her head, almost in disbelief of her own admittance.
“He stopped and turned around, and I took cover behind a tree. While I hid, I started to consider changing my strategy. I wasted precious seconds with the idea that I should outright pursue him. By the time I came back to my senses and remembered I didn’t work like that for a reason, he was gone.
I knew better than that, but in the moment, I had that idea and I didn’t know why.
Then I couldn’t find him, as if he’d disappeared without a trace.
But that was impossible. There’s a chance I couldn’t pick up a trail because he was influencing where I searched. ”
Commander Matherson tapped the fingers of one hand on top of his other. “Why didn’t you mention this during your debrief of that mission?”
“It didn’t seem significant at the time,” she said with sincerity. “I just thought I was being reckless, and since I caught myself before I did anything, it didn’t stand out to me.”
The slow nod Matherson gave in reply did nothing to make Jade feel better. The whole thing sounded ludicrous. But now, with the idea of a sorcerer behind it, she didn’t find it outlandish anymore.
“Your experience is worth keeping in mind, but it’s not enough to accuse the assassin of being a magic-wielder.” Matherson sat back, as though the matter was closed. “What matters most is finding this killer, uncovering who he is working for, and stopping those involved.”
In other words, she needed to get back out there.
Theo spoke the words on the tip of her tongue. “So, you have a mission for us?”
“Yes.” Matherson’s tone shifted with the change in topic, losing its heaviness and returning to his typical confident demeanor.
“I’m putting you on an espionage mission.
We have learned that both the Fellsrin and Evenshold families will be attending the opera this weekend.
There is no suggestion that they will be targeted while away from home, but the rules of the game have changed.
With them being in such a public venue, it provides a perfect opportunity to easily watch them.
Not only to ensure their safety, but also to track Grannam and see what he might do.
Notice who he talks to, what kinds of conversations he holds.
Pay attention to Arabella’s actions as well, but we have more reason to believe that Lord Grannam is somehow involved in this, so he is a priority. ”
Jade and Theo responded with a simultaneous “Yes, sir,” before Matherson continued, providing further details and setting up a time to go over logistics.
The likelihood of the two of them encountering the assassin at the opera was slim, but it might be a good chance to spy on Grannam and see if he spoke to anyone about Arthur’s death. That was Jade’s top priority for the mission.
With the opera being two days away, Jade wouldn’t have the opportunity to make it back to the farmhouse and give Nicolas the letters she found at Arthur’s home, which would only further delay progress they could make together.
If Nicolas had the information from the letters, he might be able to use it to somehow uncover more.
Jade still didn’t know how he came by his leads.
But it would be fine. She was going out on a mission, which at least meant she was doing something worthwhile.
She would keep a close watch on Grannam to learn even more that she could take back to Nicolas, hopefully allowing them to bring an end to this deadly conflict and secure the true line of succession.