Page 12 of Stolen Magic
Evander didn’t respond to the taunt.Instead, he surrendered to the anger churning inside him at the sheer audacity of Institute members who believed they could attack a Metropolitan Police officer without suffering any repercussions.
The power that flooded his veins was cold and fierce and as familiar to him as breathing.
The temperature around them dropped several degrees in an instant as he released his ice magic.Frost crystallised on the stone steps, spreading in delicate patterns across the ground and up the pillars of the portico.
The wind magic holding Rufus started to dissipate as Dearmont’s breath misted before him, glittering particles racing across the professor’s body and freezing his hair and skin.
His associates fell back with abject cries.
“I said,release him!”Evander growled.
Loathing filled Dearmont’s eyes.He retracted his wind magic.
Rufus crashed to the ground.His knees buckled under him as he gasped desperately for air, one hand clutching his throat while the other braced against the flagstones.Shaw helped him up as he dragged himself upright, the stone truncheon that had materialised in her hand steady in her grip as she wielded it like a club, ready to defend her superior if needed.
Defiance burned in Rufus’s eyes as he glowered at Dearmont.
The professor ignored him and stared daggers at Evander.
“You dare use your powers against fellow mages?!”he spat.
“You cannot begin to fathom what I dare do, Gordon,” Evander said silkily, the power still thrumming inside him making his skin itch as it begged for release.He looked around and met the anxious stares of the faculty as he raised his voice.“Make no mistake.I will do what is necessary to conduct this investigation.”His gaze clashed with Dearmont’s once more.“Now, will you let us in or shall I carve my own path to Professor Whitley’s chambers?”
Rufus and Shaw drew closer to him.
Evander was aware it wouldn’t take much more provocation for him to give Dearmont and his colleagues a taste of the violence they’d just visited upon the inspector and the forensic mage.
The standoff might have escalated further had a commanding voice not cut through the tension.
“That is quite enough, Professor Dearmont.”
Chapter6
All heads turnedas an elderly man in elaborate robes of midnight blue and silver emerged from the foyer.Though his back was slightly bowed and his skin wrinkled, he moved with the grace and authority of someone accustomed to being obeyed without question.
Evander experienced a complex surge of emotions at the sight of Cornelius Rigley.Respect mingled with wariness.Nostalgia tempered by regret.
The man had been his mentor during his student days, pushing Evander to strive for excellence while simultaneously attempting to mould him into the Institute’s ideal of what a mage should be.Evander was aware Rigley had long held suspicions about his true abilities, his identity as an Archmage a secret he could not readily reveal during his years at the Institute.
Even now, over half a decade later and with his own considerable power and status, Evander couldn’t quite suppress the instinctive straightening of his spine in the old man’s presence.
“Headmaster Rigley.”Dearmont groomed his features into an impassive mask and inclined his head respectfully.“I was just explaining to Duke Ravenwood that?—”
“I heard quite clearly what you were explaining,” Rigley interrupted a tad sharply.He dismissed Dearmont with a glance and addressed Evander.“Duke Ravenwood.It has been too long since you graced these halls with your presence.Though I confess, I had hoped your next visit would be under more pleasant circumstances.”
“Pleasant circumstances, my sweet fanny,” Shaw muttered behind Evander.
Rufus hushed her.
“Headmaster Rigley.”Evander dipped his head stiffly.“I thank you in advance for your cooperation and that of your staff in our investigation.”
The glint in Rigley’s eyes told Evander he’d grasped and heeded his subtle warning.
“I apologise for my faculty’s conduct, your Grace.The Royal Institute has always valued its relationship with the Crown and its representatives.”Rigley paused.“Even when those representatives choose unconventional paths.”His gaze flicked meaningfully to Evander’s uniform.
Evander swallowed a sigh.He could tell Rigley still resented him for not accepting the position he’d offered him all those years ago.It had been the old man’s intention to eventually cede the position of headmaster of the Institute to him.
He introduced Rufus and Shaw to Rigley.
