Page 27 of Fated for Flames

He sighed, running a hand through his dark hair, which hadn’t been tied at the nape like usual. “This doesn’t discriminate; it siphons magic from any witch close enough to be affected. It’s not personalized like the elixir was. I can also tell you for sure that the energy that it gathers is being funneled to only one source.”

“Drains magic from others to empower another witch. Got it,” I mumbled as I thought about what I was going to do.

“You can’t have this around you. It might kill you since for some reason your magic is linked to your life force…”

I nodded, cutting him off. “I know.”

“Anyone who works and lives here can enter the girls’ dorm. It’s not highly guarded. But I must assume it’s someone close to you. Do you suspect anyone?”

“No,” I lied. “Anyone who knows black magic and wants to get stronger might be targeting me.”

Before Professor Lucien could continue his interrogation, I had an idea.

A glorious idea.

“What if we split the book by tearing it into three parts?” Would it still siphon magic but in smaller doses?”

Professor Lucien nodded. “It could work and I could keep a part for me to analyze.”

I bit the inside of my cheek as I thought about the implications of my plan. It was risky. What if tearing the book alerted the maker of these vile things? Yet, what other choice did I have?

“All right,” I said finally. “Let’s do it.”

Professor Lucien reached for the book with steady hands. His fingers were sure as he tore the pages, splitting the novel into three equal parts.

“Here.” He placed the two of the pieces in front of me. “Don’t touch them yet. I have something that can help you.”

I nodded as he got up and padded to a cabinet, returning to his desk with a small box. It was plain and unassuming, but as Professor Lucien held it out to me, I could sense the magic humming within its wooden walls.

“I’ve infused this with a containment spell,” he explained as I took it from him. “Put the pieces in here if you feel your magic being drained too much.”

Nodding, I carefully placed the torn book pieces inside the box, storing the box in my backpack.

Professor Lucien held his hands on his desk. “Evelyn, be honest. Do you have any idea who would do this to you?”

The image of Lia’s sweet smile flashed before my eyes. My heart clenched at the thought. But it wasn’t just Lia. Morgana’s cold gray eyes flickered in my mind’s eye. The matriarch was a figure of power and authority that I had once looked up to. But now…now I knew better.

“I have some suspicions,” I admitted slowly, “but no solid proof.”

The potion master studied me for a moment before nodding, his expression unreadable. “May I ask who gave you the elixir for your seizures? Did it come from a healer? A parent? Guardian?”

“I’m not ready to answer that,” I said truthfully.

He sighed. “We must find out who is behind this. This is beyond unethical and goes against everything we stand for. They must be stopped at all costs.”

“I understand, but I don’t want to put you in danger. You know how powerful and influential my coven is. We can’t accuse people without proof.”

“I understand, but…”

I blinked at him with a cheeky smile. “I appreciate your help. Still, not everybody is as righteous as you. Some people are evil and can do anything to stop the ones who oppose them. It’s best to take things slowly. And, we’re still trying to unbind part of my powers.”

He nodded. “We’ll talk again Sunday and take another try at unlocking your binding. With the siphoning now back, you’ll need all your powers. But in the meantime, if the seizures or anything else comes up, please let me know.”

“Thank you, Professor,” I said honestly. “I don’t know what I would have done without you.”

“Lucien,” he reminded me. “Call me Lucien, Evelyn.”

18

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