And so the story continues fifteen minutes at a time…
Day 15: Anna picked up one of the sterilized pins and allowed a drop of her blood to fall into the water.
Anna picked up one of the sterilized pins and allowed a drop of her blood to fall into the water. As it hit the water she said the few words needed for binding, focusing on her intent. The herb infused water bonded with the magic in her blood and became a shining sheet of glowing silver. Without looking, Anna reached for her notebook and tilted the spiral binding over the pot. The pencil slipped free and with barely a splash slipped beneath the surface of the water.
It disappeared as though buried under a layer of quicksilver. Anna waited. Perhaps Christopher was who he said he was. Perhaps he was not.
The silver quivered and as though a movie was projected onto it’s surface a scene played out. The voices were small, barely whispers and tinny sounding. She leaned forward to catch them.
“…tomorrow at the Willow,” Christopher was saying. “Yes, I know, she was already finished with her drink when I arrived. She didn’t want another one so arranged an alternate venue.”
“You are sure it won’t harm her?” Marcus asked. Anna watched the two men talk, trying not to feel the sting of betrayal.
“No, it is harmless it will just make her less resistant to the idea of going home again. And we have to bring her home,” Christopher said.
“I know,” Marcus replied. “The Devra can not last much longer without her. Still I dislike the necessity.”
“You disliked the necessity before but the compulsion you tried didn’t work.”
“I know,” Marcus replied. “I don’t know how she managed a counter spell. She hasn’t been near the merchant’s in years. There is no way she would have had that many materials stockpiled. She should be out of magic. Instead…”
“Instead,” Christopher asked.
“Instead she seems stronger somehow.”
“Well once she ingested the elixir the counter spell won’t matter. We can get her home and there will be no issue.”
“True. And it is temporary.”
“So we wait one more day,” Christopher said.
“You are sure she doesn’t suspect you?” Marcus said.
“You mean after you assure her you were on your own?” Christopher teased. “I can’t believe she fell for that, but apparently she did. She was just sitting there drinking coffee as she studied the letters and planned her errands.”
“She was reading them?”
“She was. Good think those are legit right,” Christopher said. “Although I was surprised as Anyone when he actually signed them and made the announcement. I thought for sure he’d want her dead just for not being caught.”
“He had no choice but to sign them.”
“No I suppose he didn’t,” Christopher said. “But I am sure she will be happy to be able to get everything back and resume her normal place. Grubbing about out here with all of the ordinary people can’t have been fun. Especially for someone of her standing.”
“Did she talk to you about her research?” Marcus asked.
“No not really,” Christopher shrugged. “I can’t see that her research matters much.”
Ten til Midnight 