Page 38 of The Rogue's Curse

“I’ll keep that in mind,” Misha said. “Thank you.”

He spent the final hour before sunrise poring over his books. He studied the blood magic of the mágisses aimatos, the blood witches of Thanatos. The Court of Thanatos was one of the oldest courts, tracing its founding back to some of the oldest vampires in the world, and it was the first of the mágisses who had developed the first Covenant. Theirs was an ancient art, one he studied through ancient methods. He’d spent years sitting in dusty workshops and cavernous libraries, poring over handwritten tomes and journals.

Much to the horror of his mentor, Rafaela, he had also spent two years scanning some of his essential texts into digital form. And when the Court learned of his modern ways, he’d been brought in before the Elder to swear upon his life that their work would never escape his control. Only the reminder that he served the Crown had allowed him that tiniest of loopholes. He needed to be able to work while traveling, and he couldn’t very well carry an entire library of delicate scrolls and books with him. Instead, he had a dedicated tablet with extensive password protection that could be remotely wiped in an emergency.

Using his digital library, Misha studied the spell to create a panacea, a powerful healing potion. A nouvelle vie was similar, but it was a generic solution that lost much of its power in its distillation. Instead, a panacea was created with a sample of blood from its intended user. Every molecule was infused with their essence, making it uniquely powerful for that person.

He intended to start with Paris, and would continue to work on one for Dominic. After using his power to wrench the truth out of the Untethered vampire, this was the catharsis he needed. Misha’s Maker had turned up his nose at the idea of using blood magic for healing, and had forced him to do more harm than Misha cared to remember. Studying the process of creating a panacea had felt like a prayer of forgiveness, and every time he brewed one, it left him feeling a little lighter.

He was still sketching notes and schematics for his spell when his body began to ache, and his watch beeped to remind him of sunrise.

Grim resolve settled over him as he went to sleep. I’m going to make you appreciate me if I have to brew a damned love potion, he thought as sleep took him.

* * *

The next evening, Misha packed his carry-on with the bare essentials and took it to his office. After doing a quick sweep to ensure Paris wasn’t around, he ducked into Olivia’s office and closed the door behind him. Her brown eyes followed him as she said, “Mr.— Misha? Do you need something?”

“I emailed you a shopping list,” he said, holding up his phone. “I need those items here by the time we get back from New York.”

She nodded. “I’ll get on it and have it all here for you as soon as I can. Is it…uh, magic stuff?”

“Some of it.”

“Is it a secret, or can I ask Shoshanna to help? She might be able to bring us some things or help me find vendors,” Olivia said.

“Whatever is most convenient, as long as I get everything,” Misha said. He sank into the chair across from her desk. “What do you know about Paris’s curse?”

Her expression froze. “I— That’s not my place to tell.” Then her eyes narrowed. “Have you seen anything? Felt anything strange?”

“I just smelled magic on him,” Misha said.

Was that disappointment on her face? That was odd.

She sat back and shook her head. “That’s not what I mean. I really can’t tell you. All I can tell you is that he doesn’t sleep,” she said.

“You can’t or won’t tell me?”

“Both,” she said. “If he wants you—”

“If he wants me to know, he’ll tell me. I keep hearing that,” he said irritably. “Will it endanger me or those around me?”

Her brow furrowed. “He’s careful.”

“That’s not what I asked,” Misha said. “I need to know I can trust him, especially if we’re about to travel and deal with prisoners at the Mausoleum.”

Her breath hitched. “You can trust him. I just…”

“Olivia,” he said sternly. “Tell me.”

“You’re not my boss,” she said, her voice shaking.

“The Crown sent me to take charge of this situation, which makes me the boss of everyone here if I decide to press the issue. Stonewalling isn’t helping anyone. Don’t you want him to get better?” he said.

Her office door swung open, and a rush of familiar warmth rushed in. Paris’s voice sounded irritable as he said, “Is there a problem?”

Olivia looked relieved as she leaped to her feet. “No problem. I just confirmed your hotel, and they can do early check-in. Or late check-in, I guess,” she said with a weak laugh.

Paris met Misha’s eyes. His blue gaze was ice-cold. Had he heard? Still holding Misha’s gaze, he finally said, “Let’s go. Car’s waiting.”

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