“My casting is fine,” Monty said, extending a hand and forming a brilliant white orb the size of a baseball. I had to look away from it or risk being blinded. The next moment, it was gone. “As you can see.”
“Barely. What the hell was that?” I asked, trying to focus after being slightly blinded by the intensity of the orb. “I didn’t even see a finger wiggle.”
The next moment I heard a small knock at the door.
“Because there wasn’t any,” Monty said, looking at the door. “That will be Elias.”
“What the hell, Monty?” I asked. “Since when are you creating orbs without finger wiggles? And why is Paul Bunyan knocking at the door?”
“Elias is under strict orders to monitor any casting coming from this room,” Monty answered as he headed to the door. “Roxanne is a bit nervous about my new strength level.”
“No shit. I’m a bit nervous about your new strength level. What? Are you harnessing the power of the sun now?”
“Preposterous,” Monty said. “That was only a small nullifier.”
“Only a small nullifier? Designed to do what?”
“Eradicate the use of most magic on this level,” Monty answered matter-of-factly. “It was completely harmless unless you were wielding energy. Your new mark is completely unaffected.”
“Harmless? Even I know enough to know that small orb was a magic nuke. Are you insane? You just nullified magic on this level. No wonder Roxanne is monitoring this room.”
“These melodramatics don’t suit you,” he said dismissively. “Like I said, it was a small nullifier and I had it completely under control. It needed to be done.”
Another knock on the door, this time a little louder.
“You realize we are standing in a null zone and that this floor is covered in runes to prevent exactly what you just did?”
“I’m aware,” he answered, holding up a finger. “One second. If I don’t address this, Elias gets bothered.”
“Elias gets bothered?” I asked incredulously. “What happens when Elias gets bothered?”
“He lets his imagination get the better of him,” Monty answered. “He’s still young.”
“Somehow Elias doesn’t seem like the type to overreact. What happened last time he unleashed his imagination?”
“Well, last time, we had to replace the door after Elias blasted it to bits in a fit of overprotective exuberance. There was debris everywhere. That door is made of runed ironwood; Roxanne was not pleased.”
“I can’t imagine why.”
He answered me by holding up his finger again. A wave of orange energy raced across the surface of the door as it clicked open. Monty opened the door, which was currently filled with one concerned-looking lumberjack sorcerer.
“Good morning, Elias,” Monty said in a congenial voice as he looked up at the towering man. “Is something amiss?”
“Hello, Mr. Montague,” Elias answered as he glanced in and around the room. I could tell they had played this game before. “You know the rules. Director DeMarco wants no casting from this room, you know that.”
“I’m aware,” Monty said with a slight nod. “I was just demonstrating a cast for my associate, Simon.”
“Is he a mage?” Elias asked, glancing in my direction. “My files say he isn’t.”
“Files?” I asked. “What files? Since when are there—?”
“Not in the least,” Monty said, interrupting me. “Simon is what I would call an anomaly. I was making a point.”
“A point?” Elias asked warily. “Would it be possible to make your points without spiking the energy levels on the floor?”
“My apologies,” Monty said. “I wasn’t aware my orb would have that effect. Are you unharmed?”
“Unharmed and neutralized,” Elias said, narrowing his eyes at Monty. “You cast a nullifier again, didn’t you? Are you planning another excursion? You know how she gets when you go AWOL.”
“I have no idea what you’re referring to,” Monty answered with a straight face. “I was merely showing Simon that the schism had left my abilities intact and unaffected—enhanced, even.”
“Of course,” Elias answered. “You realize it makes my team nervous when you blast through the nullifying runes like that. You could see how we would think it was an attack, especially when it leaves us defenseless? Then we can’t protect you.”
“I wasn’t aware I needed protecting.”
“Mr. Montague,” Elias said with practiced calm. “If you nullify the floor, we can’t do our jobs effectively. If we can’t do our jobs, Director DeMarco gets…Well, let’s just say she’s not happy. You want to keep her happy, don’t you?”
“Absolutely,” Monty said. “Once again, my deepest apologies if I’ve caused you and the team any discomfort. I’m sure your abilities will return shortly.”
“Please refrain from any more casting or unsanctioned outings,” Elias said. “Any kind of casting, enhanced or otherwise.”
Monty actually paused and looked up at the ceiling, all the while nodding slowly.
“I’ll give it a thorough consideration,” Monty said after a few seconds. “Will there be anything else?”
“Nothing else,” Elias answered. “Let’s keep the casting to a minimum, as in zero. Can you do that?”
“Of course,” Monty said. “No rogue casting from me at all.”
“Thank you, Mr. Montague,” Elias said, then turned and stopped mid-stride before turning back. “That is one sharp suit.”
“Oh, this? It’s nothing,” Monty said, looking down at his suit. “Just an old suit. One of my favorites I like to wear. Really more of a house suit. Something to lounge and relax in.”
“That is a runed, bespoke Zegna,” Elias answered. “It’s something. A very powerful something, designed to protect you and multiply your natural abilities.”
“You do know your suits,” Monty answered. “I’ve always considered it a mark of proper upbringing to know your clothes and tea.”
“I do,” Elias said, narrowing his eyes again at Monty. “Are you planning on going somewhere? Maybe take a short walk around the city? Obliterate a building or two?”
I almost lost it then, but managed to keep a straight face. It was clear Monty’s reputation was known to Elias.
“Absolutely not.” Monty feigned surprise. “Director DeMarco would never hear of it. I’m under strict instructions to remain within the walls of Haven until such a time as the Director deems it safe for me
