“Look at this one on the underside. It’s like this one in the book just here.” I point to the next paragraph in the grimoire. “This is what I call a type ofwarm uprune. It gets the spell going, so to say. There are countless forms of this type of rune and they were used in the early days when witches were even more rare than they are now.”
Blowing out a breath, Laini eyes the stones. “So this is what they are then? Khymeia stones?”
“Yep. I think so. In fact, I’d bet on it.”
“You should use that term, khymeia, talking to Argos and watch his reaction. If he looks intrigued or surprised, then maybe he is as clueless as I hope he is. If not, he knew already and is probably hiding even more.”
I point at her and purse my lips. “Smart. Yes. I like that idea.” I get up and go to my desk. “I’m going to write to Rustion and keep him in the know.” I crack the window, letting in some of the wintry air, then bespell the note to fly to Rustion.
By the time Laini, Lady Owl, and I have downed some toast and jam, Rustion’s reply is zipping through the window by my desk.
I’m furious.
Laini flattens her palm. “What’s wrong?”
Lady Owl swoops down to peck the crust of Laini’s toast from her hand, and then the owl returns to her perch.
“He asks that I return the stones to Argos and bring him along when I delve into the mysterious magic under the ground near Widow Warton’s place. Claims ‘the lad needs a magical education’ to keep things safe in Leafshire. Ugh.”
“Maybe you can come up with a compromise with Argos if you can figure out how to keep his magic from destroying the earth.”
I snort. “Excuse me? What exactly are you thinking I should give up in this proposed compromise?”
Laini doesn’t hesitate. I love that she isn’t afraid of my moods and my power. She feels secure in our friendship now and I won’t be taking that for granted.
“I don’t know,” she says quickly. “Maybe he can sell his time creating those illusions for events and birthdays and whatnot. He can leave the rest of the magic sales to you.”
“I doubt he’d make enough from illusions to pay his rent.”
“Where is he staying?”
“At Cyrus’s.”
“Hmm. Cyrus is kind, but he can’t do without rent for his only room. I wonder why Argos chose the pub. He should be at the inn or taking a room on the town’s outskirts.”
“He’s a fool. He chose the cushy lodgings and now he has to pay for them. Have you noticed his accent and his hands?”
“What about them? I mean, he sounds northern, but other than that, no.”
“I think he was raised with nobles. There are a ton of minotaurs up north and that’s where their true kingdom and court sits.”
“Well, that would make sense. Maybe he was a scribe or something.”
“Maybe.”
“Why do you care, Tully?”
“I want to know where he came from so I can send him back.”
Laini chuckles and I glare.
“I’m not kidding, Laini.”
“Oh, I am aware.”
Chapter 10
Tully
