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Thessa scowled at his back while slapping the book shut.
Defeat washed over her as they saw themselves out.
“Well, that didn’t go well,” Leora mentioned as if it weren’t obvious.
Thessa was trying not to panic. “Leora, this is too much. My gift is cursed. Blank pages? You saw it earlier … it wasn’t blank. I give up. I just won’t use my magic. I’ve gone eighteen years without it, I’m good without it.”
“Tess! You can’t give up.”
“Blank. Leora.”
Leora shook her head. “Let me have it.”
Thessa handed over the tome without hesitation.
Leora flipped through blank pages furiously.
Thessa narrowed her eyes. “See. It’s cursed.”
Leora shook her head, handing it back. Upon transfer, language and bits of art immediately inked across the worn parchment. Leora’s eyes widened as she said, “That’s magic Tess! It’s just a charm, no curse at all. It must be a protection charm, one that responds to touch … specific touch.”
Thessa slapped the book shut, coming to the same realization.
Leora went on, “The bookkeeper opened it, not you. And earlier, I only stood over it afteryouopened it, I didn’t. I think you’ve got yourself a charmed gift.”
“Charms are supposed to diminish with time; this book is ancient. And it doesn’t explain why my fingertips turned—” Thessa didn’t finish that thought, then whispered, “If it’s not a curse, then you and I both know whatthisis.”
Leora stared blankly. After all, it’s not every day one learns their roommates with a demon.
Thessa grumbled, “I’ve had enough,” and started moving.Her pace was as strong as her heartbeats.
“I’ll pray for guidance,” Leora offered, hurrying beside her.
They were both about to be late for their shifts.
15
LECTURE NOTES FROM REALM RULES & METHODOLOGY:
Definitions from Courtly Affairs
Seized—taken into custody, typically due to a crime.
Dismissed—released from custody, typically due to innocence.
Thessa’s supple, sudsy hands did nothing for her mood. The chef, Katerine, had the nerve to scold her for being late this morning.
She couldn’t scrub hard enough.
Tap, tap, tap, tap.
The sound of steel framed boots on the tile floors sounded.She turned to the sight of an Elemental soldier standing beside Katerine. The chef was pointing toward Thessa while the soldier stared at her, smugly.
He ordered, “Thessa Skiafer, you are to be seized and escorted to the Central Divinity, at once.” His tone was sharper than the useless knife she was washing.
“What,” she seethed.
The soldier flashed his fire-magic in warning.