Page 74 of Of Flames and Crows

Mae leaned forward, her eyes sparkling with interest as he explained what he’d done to try and evade Oscar. “So,Transmigrateis the spell that allowed you to hide Filomena in the nexus?”

“Yes.”

The color had drained from Ludmila’s face. “You can access ley lines?!”

It was the first time she was hearing of this.

Roman nodded.

The old witch glowered accusingly at Mae and Nikolai. “Did you know?”

Mae shrugged. “It wasn’t our place to tell you.”

Nikolai’s expression grew strained as he studied Roman. “How long have you and Filomena been able to tap into ley lines?”

Unease clouded Roman’s face when he registered everyone’s troubled look.

“Not long,” he replied reluctantly. “I’ve only used them a handful of times, once I realized how to locate them. Katarina mentioned them in her journal.”

Ludmila recoiled, stunned.

Vlad’s heart slammed a quick tempo against his ribs. “She did?”

“Yes.” Roman licked his lips and scanned their faces. “What are you guys not telling me?”

“Drawing on ley lines is not a normal ability,” Mae explained gently. “Even I, the Witch Queen, don’t possess that skill.” Her gaze shifted briefly to Nikolai. “As far as we knew, Nikolai was the only one in the world who could do so.”

“Wait.” Roman paled. “You’re the Witch Queen?!”

He stared at Mae like she was a goddess descended upon the Earth.

Mae wrinkled her nose. “Yeah.”

Nikolai leaned forward, his eyes shining with curiosity. “Do you experience any side effects when you access a ley line?”

Roman nodded, his brow furrowing. “Yes. It normally drains me and Filo of our strength.”

Nikolai and Julius traded a cautious look.

“I’m the same,” Nikolai told a shocked Roman. “Alastair and I used to suffer from debilitating weakness whenever we sought out a ley line.”

He patted the crow as the latter nudged his cheek lovingly.

Roman blinked. “Used to?”

Nikolai dipped his chin. “I’m currently training with the Council of the Moon to overcome those side effects. It might benefit you and Filomena to do the same, once things settle.”

Ludmila frowned. “Moon Magic and Fire Magic have little in common. I’m not sure training with the Council of the Moon will help him much.”

“Oh.” Mae blinked. “In that case, how about Sun Magic?”

Vlad stared. “You mean Nadia?”

Mae nodded. “There’s no harm asking her for her opinion.”

Vlad frowned. Nikolai nodded. Ludmila reluctantly bobbed her head.

“Who’s Nadia?” Roman said blankly.

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