Page 17 of Madness of Her Mages

“Do you?” He sounded too much like a father scolding a child, reminding me that he was three centuries old, and one of, if not the oldest, Ravini to have survived the Crimson Tide almost a quarter century ago. Most every Ravini over the age of twenty had perished during the Crimson Tide. “If I hadn’t sent for Malvolia, Sol and Bertram would have. How would that have made you look?”

I swallowed at that, my confidence faltering. “She believes it was me who sent for her?”

“She does.” He spit a wad of tobacco over the side of the turret before squatting back down. “And I have no reason to tell her otherwise.”

How was I supposed to respond to that? “I suppose I should thank you, then.”

He pulled out the dragon statue, whittling the wood once again. “I sent for her once before against your father’s wishes, but by the time her army arrived it was too late. Flora and Derrick had already killed your parents.”

He disobeyed orders twice not out of disloyalty, but because he thought he knew better than his lords. I didn’t know if I wanted to flog him or thank him. “Why do you think my father didn’t want you to send for her then?”

“He trusted Flora and Derrick.” He paused his whittling to look up at me, lines tightening his pale eyes. “He didn’t know they’d betray him.”

As much as Romulus believed he knew better than his lords, he was missing one key detail—Thorin had altered his memories, too. Now I wondered how much had his mind been altered and could I ever trust him again?

“That night my parents were killed.” I forced a note of casualness into my voice. “Do you remember seeing the mage named Thorin?”

“The mind spinner?” He arched a brow, his blade suspended over the dragon’s wing. “Yes, I believe he was there.”

I swore I saw a fog settle in his eyes—the mind spinner’s spell. “You’re not sure?”

He scratched the back of his head. “My memories are a bit fuzzy.”

“Why do you think that is?” I pressed, hoping I could stir an ember of truth in his memories.

“There was a lot going on that night, Flora and Derrick murdering your parents, the fire that almost killed your brothers.” He looked at me through eyes so blurred, it was like staring through rain-fogged windows. “Why do you ask?”

That spell had been cast almost twenty-five years ago and was still holding strong. The realization of the mind spinner’s immense power was like a shot of venom to my blood.

“Do you know why we brought Shiri and the girls here?” I finally asked, trying my hardest to keep the note of fear from my voice.

Romulus squinted up at me as most of the fog cleared from his eyes, leaving behind a thin sheen. “Just what you told me, that her parents had turned on her, and she had to escape.”

I nodded. “Flora and Derrick were going to use Thorin to erase Shirina and the girls’ memories and take them away.”

“How,” he asked, “when his spells only last a few hours?”

A few hours.I didn’t know if I wanted to laugh or cry. I cautiously eyed him for any signs of recognition. “Shiri believes his magic has strengthened and his spells last years now.”

His eyes widened. “Years?”

“It’s possible he could be demon possessed,” I added, then flapped my wings and adjusted my stance when a tile shifted beneath my foot.

“Demon possessed?” Romulus chuckled. “Maiadra wiped out the demons during the demon wars.”

“That’s what I thought, but there have been signs, Romulus.” I leveled him a dark look. “The nurses who poisoned Nikkos were possessed. Sol and Bertram are demon possessed, too.”

“What?” Romulus jumped to his feet, his eyes wide with alarm. “Did you tell our queen?”

“No,” I answered. “I’m not sure she’ll believe me.”

“I must confess,” he said while shifting his feet. “I’m having a hard time believing it myself.”

And here was where Romulus would prove his loyalty. I might be able to forgive him if he thought he was calling the queen here to protect Abyssus, but I wouldn’t hesitate to turn him to ash if I suspected he’d betray me now.

“I know you are, and I don’t blame you for doubting me,” I answered. “I wouldn’t have believed it myself hadn’t I seen the unnatural glow in Sol and Bertram’s eyes or the unusual strength of their fires.”

He looked at me as if I was a dragon poised to strike. “Do you plan on telling Malvolia?”

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