Then the demon exploded in a ball of fire, searing the beautiful cliffs black as it disappeared. The image wavered, and then was replaced with the ocean scene once more.
“New magic...” Christine said, voicing her thoughts out loud. “Does he mean them?” she asked, pointing at Altair. “The dragons?”
“That was my thought,” Circe said quietly.
“Impossible,” Becca said, speaking up. “Even Lord Berith cannot be stupid enough to attack Winterspell. He would be defeated by the combined powers of the Coven and you, Circe. He isn’t strong enough for that. Nobody is.”
“I appreciate your candor, Apprentice,” Circe said. “But you know as well as I do that I and the rest of the Coven, as powerful as we may be, are also powerless, in a way.”
Christine frowned. How could they be powerless? What did Circe mean?
“The Outpost,” she said quietly. “There are always two dragons stationed at the Outpost. He means to strike there, where you can’t get him.”
Circe nodded. “That is my fear, yes. If he comes to Winterspell, the Coven will dispatch him. But we cannot leave its walls undefended without knowing for sure where he is. If we leave and it’s a diversion, then Winterspell would be wide open to his attack. Too many would die.”
Nodding, Christine understood what Circe meant by powerless. All the magic combined, but they had to use it to protect Winterspell itself. They were almost chained down by the decrees of the High Council of Witches, the laws that governed all the schools equally.
“Apprentice Gardener,” Circe said formally. “Take your team to the Outpost and prepare them for battle. If the demon Lord Berith attacks, you are free to do as you must. If you can pin him down, the Coven will join you if need be. But you must trap him first. We cannot leave the Academy vulnerable.”
Christine kept her composure as the other woman was named the head of the team, but it wasn’t easy. She’d worked so hard for it. Though she couldn’t fault Circe, Madison would have been her second choice, and the woman she would have tapped to be second in command. It still stung though.
Madison nodded once. “Of course, Circe. We will not fail you.” She turned to the other witches. “You heard the boss. We leave in one hour from the courtyard. Get yourself ready, this isn’t going to be pretty.”
Christine nodded in understanding, but she stayed put. There was a question she needed answered by Circe first. She needed to know why.
At least from Circe, she could hope to get an answer.
Her eyes fixed on Altair, who also remained rooted to the spot.
Chapter Twenty-Eight
Altair
THERE WASN’T MUCH MORE preparation he had to do before they left, besides wolf down a quick meal, so Altair lingered behind as the others rushed out of the room to do their last-minute preparations.
He had some questions for Circe that he wanted to ask, things about her briefing that didn’t quite add up. Calling the head of Winterspell out in front of the others hadn’t seemed like the best idea though, so he’d waited.
Out of the corner of his eye he saw that Christine was waiting behind too. He sighed. Couldn’t she just leave? He didn’t want her around just then. It was too painful. They could talk later. Maybe. There wasn’t much more to say to her though. The letter had said everything he needed to know.
“I take it the two of you have something to say?” Circe asked once they were alone.
“Go ahead,” Altair said, wanting Christine gone as soon as possible. If she could ask her question and go, he could find out what he needed to know. What was important to him and his kin.
“Oh no, by all means, you go ahead,” Christine said with a tight smile. “Please, be my guest.”
Altair stiffened. “No. I said you go first, and I meant. Please.” He couldn’t quite keep the sarcasm out of the last word.
“Enough,” Circe said quietly, her voice cutting between them like a knife. “I do not care that the two of you are sharing the same bed. Those rules have been lifted, and you are free to make your own choices. However, if your choice of bed partner is going to affect the working relationship of the team, then one of you will stay behind. End of story.”
“That won’t be necessary,” Altair ground out, covering up his surprise that the other woman knew. “It’s not an issue.”
“Well then,” Circe said, echoing his earlier sarcasm. “That’s wonderful to hear. What can I do for you, Altair?”
“How did he know?”
Circe’s hood tilted in his direction. “Pardon?”
“The demon lord. How did he know about this ‘new magic’ as he called it? How could he have known about us, Circe? From my understanding, demons reside on another plane, in the Abyss. Not here on earth. They aren’t friendly with witches. In fact, quite the opposite. So, tell me, how is it then, that he is aware of a secret that you have not told any of the other schools about?”
Circe nodded, the motion visible through her hood. “That’s not entirely accurate,” she said. “There is one witch who has knowledge of dragons. Who might be inclined to want harm to come to Winterspell.”
Altair groaned. He’d thought that they were done with this woman. “Loiner,” he snarled. “You think that bitch told a demon lord about us?”
“I don’t see how else it’s possible,” Circe said, her voice hard. “I do intend to find out, however, and if she did, then I promise you that will be the end of her. No amount of high-profile patronage will save her this time. She will pay for it. That is for me to deal with. You must handle Lord Berith.”
He was about to protest, to insist she be brought to justice already, but as Circe continued to speak, Altair realized that the other woman was pissed off. Beyond
