Page 49 of At the Mercy of Midnight
Amelia pressed her lips together like she might laugh. Instead, she stepped forwards. “We were told you might have information about the history of pair bonding and how it can be broken.”
Fabian gasped theatrically with such a deep inhale that Silas wondered if he might pass out. “A pair bond?” He swivelled around to a slanting shelf, reaching for scrolls before tossing them over his shoulder one by one as if utterly useless. Finally, he turned back with widened green eyes, hands empty. “Yes, yes…pair bonds. An irrevocable bonding, more than a marriage. Not just a melding of like-minded hearts, but also of souls.”
The words tumbled out, hushed and ominous.
“Irrevocable?” Amelia asked uneasily. “Do you imply it’s unbreakable?”
Fabian clapped, barking out a laugh. Amelia stared at Silas questioningly over her shoulder, eyes wide.
“Don’t rush this, my dear,” Fabian said with another clap of his hands. “We have only just begun. But first, the fee.”
Amelia crossed her arms. “How much?”
“Fifty.”
Silas laughed harshly. “You’re dreaming. Absolutely not.”
“What about ten?” Amelia said, proving again she would always drive for a bargain.
Fabian placed a hand to his chest with offence. “I am a revered mage and scholar, not some mundane street-peddler. Lowest I can go is forty-five.”
They looked at him doubtfully.
Fabian lowered his hand, glancing between them. “Frightfully dangerous to be a mage these days…we’ve been disappearing, have you heard? A mage was taken—taken! Just last month. The risk is worth forty-five, I say.” He widened his eyes expectantly.
Silas shook his head at the sheer madness, gesturing to Amelia. “Come on, we’re leaving.”
“Alright!” Fabian cried, brushing at his oversized robes, doing little for the stains Silas spotted on the fabric. “Ten, but you must spread the word of my power and genius.”
They exchanged a silent look of agreement. Amelia pulled out the coins. “We’ll reserve judgement on feedback until after.”
Silas narrowed his gaze. “If mages are disappearing, why would you want us to spread the word?”
Fabian gave a simpering grin. “A man must eat, Silas Finley.”
Shock rooted him. He had not mentioned his name.
Fabian rounded the table, taking the coins from Amelia. He faced Silas, a hand whipping out, snatching at his wrist with surprising speed.
Silas tensed. “What are you—”
Fabian yanked him forwards by his wrist, pressing his forehead against Silas’. He tried pulling away, though Fabian was unexpectedly strong. Silas’ eyes widened while he stared at him silently from the uncomfortably close position, an inordinate amount of time passing.
Amelia shifted awkwardly. “Um…”
Fabian reeled back, eyes searching his before glancing between them contemplatively. “Hmm.”
Silas scowled, jerking his wrist from the tight grip. “What? What wasthat?”
Fabian smiled, eyes still shifting between him and Amelia. “Yes, definitely a pair bond, forged by a shared cut,” he said in a low voice. Silas reeled at the precise statement, Amelia pulling in a sharp breath. Fabian peered at Silas, grin widening. “There is a depth in your eyes, sir, to the bond that one does not know.” He looked to Amelia. “And a hidden truth obscured by the bond that one will not acknowledge.”
Silas swallowed uneasily, Fabian turning away to scour a shelf.
They shared a look of utter surprise.
When Fabian turned back, he held a scroll closed with a wax seal, whipping his robes with a flourish before sitting at the table. He gestured for them to join. Moving forwards hesitantly, they each pulled out a stool to sit opposite Fabian.
“You wish to learn of the pair bonded who came before you?” Fabian asked. Amelia nodded eagerly, leaning forwards. “I will show you how to tap into the pair bond connection. First, face each other,” he instructed, taking up the scroll and holding it above the flickering flame of a candle. The edges began to burn before he blew them out, until only the sides glowed with a burning ember, smoke drifting upwards. He flicked it at them, signalling they should face one another.
