Page 111 of Lies of the Wicked
That’s the one that got kicked out.
Why does she look like that?
Is she a ghost?
Thessa could’ve been more careful about walking through tables, chairs, and walls, but it was her first time casting an Astral Projection Spell and it was too tempting not to try.
After threatening to haunt several males for the rest of their lifetime, Thessa was escorted to Noam’s and Rhetter’s workstation—garbage duty.
“This is disgusting. Why haven’t you requested a different work assignment yet?” Thessa asked by way of greeting.
“Thessa. I’d ask why you’re here but I’m more curious as to why you’re flickering?” Rhetter spoke for the pair.
“The spell is running out of time. I didn’t use much blood.”
“What spell?”
“Did I say spell? I’m a ghost, I mean. Dead as dead comes,” she said, correcting herself. They weren’t buying it. “You’ve known me for eighteen years, please just roll with it.”
They eyed each other in silent conversation before Rhetter asked, “What’s going on?”
“Are you two still playing that board game of yours?”
“You came back here to mock us about Dungeons & Serpents?”
She bit back her laugh. “Not a terrible idea, but no.” Shifting to a more serious tone, she said, “I need your help bringing it to life.”
Noam’s ears must’ve perked up because he spoke for the first time. “Hello ghost of Thessa’s past, how may we be of service?”
She grinned.
45
LECTURE NOTES FROM SPELLCASTING AND CURATION:
Both Illusion and Cloaking Spells are forbidden because they play tricks on the eyes. Illusion spells are far more complex, holding the power to condense a body into the proportion of the illusion desired. Despite this, both spells could be overcome, potentially leaving the spellcaster in grave danger.
The location Soren scouted was just shy of the capital. It was large enough to hold what remained of the southern half of the rebellion—those who’d continued farther north—but it was nothing like the dense woods of Wilcrest.
It was temporary, at best.
Two drivers had left on horseback already; they’d find those on foot from Mabelton and lead them back here.Meanwhile, Thessa had helped Soren and the remaining driver set up tents in preparation.
It wasn’t long before he’d asked her to rest.She’d refused the first few times, until the pain in her thigh returned. Sighing, she took her leave.
“Stop doing that,”Soren scowled at her.
Thessa shoved him away with a bloodied palm. He’d been an inch from her face when she awoke from the Astral Projection Spell—again.
He pulled back, scanning her.
There was a five-pointed star drawn across her chest, Eiliana’s grimoire sprawled to her right, bloodied paste to her left, and her dagger beside that.
“Are you okay?” he asked.
“Yeah, it worked.”
“Where’d you go this time?”
