“It was what I’d assumed in the moment, yes. If that’s not the case, then can you explain to me how the enchantment broke? I’m not a magic-pants like you all, remember? And I can’t imagine Quinn would do such a slight to Tesse’s memory either.”
Everyone stared at her. Even Quinn this time, although he at least appeared surprised.
“I’m serious. How? How would I even do that?” Becka asked.
“There are ways,” Calder replied, tapping his index finger against his chin. “Humans do it all of the time. They hire a fae who provides a magical amulet or device, and then poof!” He splayed his fingers in the air, unintentionally reminding her of jazz hands. “You too can bend magical forces to your will.”
“With what type of magic? And what motivation would I possess to ruin my twin’s funeral? She’s the only Rowan I gave a damn about. And how would I have arranged for something so specific at the last minute? Quinn can attest he picked me up an hour after I heard the news from Vott. I had no opportunity!”
“I am not sure, but you could have had this tool at the ready for some time, awaiting the perfect opportunity to lash out at those who cast you out,” Astrid replied. “You say Tesse’s the only one you cared about. You appear to have cast off our ways and traditions.” She motioned to Becka’s informal clothes, pierced ears, and pink, unbraided hair. “Perhaps you have been biding your time to hurt the House of Mirrors?”
“Okay, let's assume for a moment in your scenario that I’m out to harm Rowan or other fae and I have acquired a tool to do so. I mean, I gave up being bitter years ago. To be honest, it’s transformed into melancholy steeped in ennui.”
All three of them stared at her in differing states of confusion. “But anyway, let’s assume for the sake of argument that I’ve got this vindictive bent. So far, what damage, besides offending you and degrading a couple of enchantments, have I managed?”
“It is an odd form of attack, I grant you,” Astrid replied, appearing to be considering her words.
“Perhaps she’s still testing the power of her weapon?” Calder asked, his tone unsure.
“Wouldn’t I need some sort of tool, or trinket, to wield such power?” Becka asked. “Ask Quinn, he would have seen anything in use.”
Astrid frowned in confusion. “I have been watching you and twice now I have observed magic degrade when you have come into contact with it.” She looked at Quinn. “As an Enforcer, have you witnessed any scrolls or amulets in her possession?”
Quinn looked down at her, his expression grave. “I have not, and I have been alert for anything and everything unusual. I can assure you, if such item existed, I would have noticed.”
Realization dawned on Becka; Quinn hadn’t just been protecting her. He’d also been investigating her. “I’m a touch appalled with you right now.”
“As long as it is only a touch.” He winked. “I have explained to you it is standard procedure for Enforcers to consider all of the possibilities.”
“Yet you also witnessed how the blossoms in the glen shied away from Becka?” Calder asked.
“I don’t argue whether the event occurred, but I have no evidence as to the cause. Illusion magic is by design difficult to trace by the uninitiated. What I witnessed could have occurred by design, failure, or countermeasure. I don’t have enough information to know which.”
Astrid raised her palm to Quinn, her expression grave. “I swear I did not cause the illusion’s effects to avoid or otherwise interact with Becka. I am unaware of the cause and affirm I had no part in it.”
Quinn gave a single nod of his head. “Your statement has been noted. Do you have anything to share regarding the initial incident you claimed occurred upon Becka’s arrival at the manor?”
“I witnessed a change in the funeral shroud of the house upon Becka’s crossing of the threshold.”
“Can you be more specific?”
She pursed her lips, and Becka had the sense that she was debating how much to disclose. Astrid sighed. “I observed a ripple of force. A degradation of the magic’s effect. It was minor, and yet noticeable to those well versed in such illusions.” Quinn raised a brow, and Astrid shrugged. “I can not be more specific without revealing guild secrets or techniques.”
Quinn nodded and then turned to Calder. “Do you have anything of substance to add?”
Calder washed a hand over his face. He expelled a long breath, and then also raised a hand to give his testimony. “I do not trust Becka. Her demeanor at the feast showed a willful disregard of fae tradition. By her own words, she holds no Rowan in esteem.”
Quinn shrugged. “Noted. Her lack of respect to her fellow fae is already something in my report, but her attitude alone does not mean she’s attacking fae.”
“I’ll give you something to put in your report,” Becka muttered under her breath at Quinn.
Calder pinned her with a steely gaze, nodding with conviction. “I have no specifics, but I am confident Becka is involved in these improprieties. Perhaps it is not something she is even aware of, but it is most definitely connected to her.” A look of revelation crossed his face. “Perhaps she is a mere pawn in all of this? Have you considered she might be cursed?”
Quinn’s already tense frame stiffened, yet his expression remained neutral. “I am not aware of that suggestion being raised within the investigation. Just so I am clear, what type of curse do you suppose?”
Calder drew himself up to his full height, his nose raised imperiously. “Well, I am no expert, but perhaps something to jinx other’s abilities? Or to steal and harness their magic?”
Astrid arched a doubtful brow at Calder, but didn’t interrupt him.
“Steal it for what purpose?” Quinn asked.
Calder inhaled sharply,
