Page 23 of Horns & Heart
That drew an immediate hissing growl from Inkiri, who stepped so close so fast that I nearly jumped again.
“I warn you, Vergis,” Inkiri said.
“I’m doing magic, not marking him, so keep it in your pants.And don’t touch him either, or I won’t be responsible for what the magic takes.”
That appeased Inkiri somewhat, and he actually stepped back.I wasn’t sure what to make of magic, how this constituted magic, or what was supposed to happen here.Nothing did.
Vergis released me.“Huh.Okay.Second theory.”
He pulled the long knife from its sheath, and my eyes went wide.This wasn’t like a prop at a movie set.It was the real thing.It could cut you, hurt you, and it scared me.
I took a step back, right into Inkiri, and pointed.“You’re not getting near me with that.”
Vergis rolled his eyes.“It’s a conduit for magic.”He flipped the blade so fast I couldn’t follow the movement and held the handle out to me.“I just want you to hold it and wish for something, but something small.Hmm.Wish for Fellisse’s tea to go cold.”
“It’s café au lait,” the big monster said.
Vergis grunted.“Hold the knife and wish his damn café au lait cold.Go on.I don’t have all day.”
I stared at the handle.“The last time I made a wish, it really didn’t go so well.”
Vergis rolled his eyes.“You’re wishing for cold coffee.It’s going to be fine.And we need to find out whether this is actually real or if you imagined it.That’s theory number three, by the way.That something’s broken in that head of yours.”
I bit my lip.“I didn’t imagine it.And I’m not… I’m fine.My head is fine.”
“So take the damn knife and wish his coffee cold.”
“Café au lait,” Fellisse mumbled.
My throat was dry, and I felt lightheaded.Dangerously lightheaded.Scared.The jar in my hand was heavy, and even the clicking coming from Inkiri couldn’t soothe me, especially not when he stepped back the moment I touched the knife.
Vergis didn’t let go of the blade, and I wasn’t going to grab it and hurt him, so I just put my fingers around the handle and tried not to shake like fall leaves in a strong breeze.
“I wish Fellisse’s café au lait goes cold.”I didn’t know if I had to say it out loud, but that was what I’d done at the Stone.
I felt something as soon as the words were out of my mouth.It was only a moment, a flash of heat going through me, and it immediately rang with familiarity.Two years ago, at the Stone of Destiny, I’d felt this, only back then, I’d chalked it up to, well, the world going to shit.
But apparently, it had been some kind of magic.
Opposite me, Vergis smiled.He raised his free hand, and when he wiggled his fingers, purple and teal sparks played around the digits.It was pretty.
“Oh.”I let go of the knife.The sparks fizzled out and died.
Fellisse grunted, and I turned to look at him.
“Nokim, I will need that microwave thing of yours to warm this back up,” he said.
Nokim rocked back and forth on the balls of his feet excitedly.“Does this mean Inki’s mate can do magic?I’ll heat everyone’s beverages in the microwave to celebrate!If you want, you can come and watch yours turn in a circle.”He looked at me.“I collected teas and various coffee brands.What’s your poison, Rory?”
“Coffee.With honey and plant milk, if you have that.”Well, I’d only just done magic apparently, and I was feeling fancy.I also wasn’t a virgin anymore, so I was double fancy.I deserved a fancy coffee order.
Nokim nodded and was off.Inkiri pressed close to my side and once more licked my neck.“I don’t even smell it on him.”
Vergis shrugged and sheathed his knife.“He’s a conduit.Albeit an active conduit.He can’t really do any magic by himself, that’s why you can’t smell it.”
I brushed a lock of hair off my forehead.“Explain that.And take your jar of ugl—” When I lifted the jar of worms and spiders and who knew what else, I froze.It was no longer full of wiggling creatures I didn’t want to look at up close.A fine dusting of black ash was all that remained, and my mind immediately went back to Cat and Jacob and my memories of them.“Holy shit.”
Vergis tapped at the jar with a finger.“Yeah.Magic has a price.Nothing’s free.And whatever whoever used you for it did, your wish gave them access to a good many people to power their spell with.”
