Page 86 of The Study of Poisons
“Yes, sir,” she said.
Smart. It would have been useless to argue.
“You’re dismissed,” he ordered. And when the door closed behind her, he said, “Valek, what the hell is going on?”
“Mogkan was using magic on you, sir. I had to get him away from you before he could do any more damage.”
“Adviser Mogkan, a magician? Nonsense.”
“I felt it when I entered your office.”
“Either it’s your imagination, or Yelena’s been very good at keeping a secret.”
Valek took a step back as if he’d been punched in the gut. His imagination! Where the bloody hell was this coming from?
The Commander took his silence as agreement. “It would explain why that southern magician is interested in my food taster. Perhaps she tried to recruit her.”
“It’s not Yelena. I’ve been living with her for seasons, I would have felt her using magic by now. Why was Mogkan touching your head?”
“I had a terrible migraine and he massaged it away. If that’s magic, then he’s welcome to continue healing headaches.”
His comment just further confirmed the Commander wasn’t acting like himself, yet Valek couldn’t help saying, “Mogkan might have been implanting thoughts into your head.”
“That’s utter nonsense, Valek.”
“Is it? You’ve been spending more time with Brazell than the other generals.”
“We have business to discuss.”
“What business?”
“That’s none of your concern. You will leave General Brazell and Adviser Mogkan alone. Understand?”
He understood that somehow Brazell and Mogkan had influenced the Commander. “Yes, sir.”
“Good. You’re dismissed.”
Valek left and stood outside the door. For the first time since becoming the chief of security, he’d no idea how to proceed. How to fix the problem. He couldn’t assassinate Brazell or Mogkan. Not without any proof of wrong doing. That was the biggest problem. He had no real evidence. Nothing.
Frustrated and angry, Valek stalked away, heading in no particular direction. His thoughts churned, but no brilliant insight sparked. He’d have to wait until Brazell and Mogkan left the castle, and then somehow stop the Commander from eating Criollo. If Criollo was significant. If not, then it might have been magic all along. But why didn’t he—
Valek stopped.
Had he just imagined a brush of magic against his skin? No.
Turning, Valek tracked the press of magic. He took a few wrong turns, but then he made a left and halted in surprise. Mogkan leaned over Yelena. Lying prone on the floor, she held his hand. It appeared like a romantic encounter, but he remembered Yelena had called the adviser vermin. When her lips turned blue and magic ballooned around them, Valek broke from his startlement and lunged at the adviser, knocking him flat.
Wrapping his hands around the man’s neck, Valek squeezed. He kept his gaze on Yelena. If she was harmed, he’d happily strangle Mogkan. She gasped for breath and blinked then focused on him.
Valek stood and yanked Mogkan to his feet. He now had evidence and a witness. “I hope you’re aware of the penalty for being a magician in Ixia,” Valek said. “If not, I’d be delighted to enlighten you.”
Mogkan smoothed his rumpled tunic and fixed his braid. “Some would say your ability to resist magic makesyoua magician, Valek.”
“The Commander thinks otherwise. You’re under arrest.”
“Then you’re in for a big surprise. I suggest you discuss these false accusations with the Commander before you do anything drastic,” Mogkan said.
Wrong thing to say. “How about I kill you right now?” Valek moved closer.
