Scorched by Magic (The Baine Chronicles #7)(36)

I gaped. “You mean if it was used on me in panther form, I would never be able to change back into a human?”

“Yes,” Father Calmias confirmed, nodding.

“It’s impossible to say how it might affect you,” Iannis said, eyes full of worry, “seeing as how you are both shifter and mage. Maybe it would be worse, or maybe it wouldn’t affect you at all.” His eyes hardened as he turned back to Father Calmias. “What happened to this Magic Eraser? Why hasn’t Thorgana put it to use yet, if it was so effective?”

“The research team never managed to replicate their one working prototype,” Father Calmias said, staring down at the table. “Apparently, the material is exceedingly rare, and there must have been an accident with the viruses they were also working on, because all the members of the team suddenly died from some kind of infection.” Iannis and I exchanged a look—that didn’t sound ominous. “I think the prototype would have been sent to Thorgana, but I have no idea if she ever received it or not. It has been some time since we last spoke.”

We questioned Father Calmias about the weapon a little bit more, but once it was clear he didn’t know anything else, we sent him on his way with an escort. No doubt there would be a celebration at his release—at least until his followers got to hear their pastor’s new gospel. I wondered if they would accept it, or if they would turn on him. I hoped it was the former—we really didn’t need them to seek out some other bigot catering to their prejudices, even if that was more than likely to be the case. After all, people tended to seek out those who reaffirmed their own biases.



Once Father Calmias was gone, the rest of us immediately launched into a discussion about the Magic Eraser. Garrett and Pillick refused to believe such an object existed, and Director Chen seemed torn. Iannis wasn’t willing to dismiss the possibility completely, but I could tell even he was skeptical. It was simply beyond the ability of these mages to conceive that a man-made object could strip them of their power. Kardanor wisely said nothing, keeping his own counsel on the matter.

“Regardless of whether you believe this weapon exists or not,” I said loudly, interrupting them, “it doesn’t change the fact that Father Calmias definitely believes every word he said to us. Unless Thorgana lied to him about it, and I can’t see why she’d spin up a story about such a powerful device, we have to assume this thing exists.”

“She could have made it up to convince him and his followers that the Resistance had a good chance of winning,” Garrett pointed out. “I’m sure she received lots of funding from Father Calmias and his parishioners. If they thought that the Resistance didn’t stand a chance, they might have withdrawn their support.”

That was possible, but it didn’t really sound like the kind of thing Thorgana would do. We argued about it for a little while, but in the end, we agreed we should at least assume the object existed until proven otherwise.

“I wonder where such a weapon would best be deployed to do the most harm,” Chen said. “Surely it would be Dara, rather than Solantha, since the capital has the highest concentration of powerful mages? Even if Thorgana did flee here, she could have arranged to have the device smuggled into the Capitol building during the next Convention. If she could cripple all or most of the Chief Mages and the Minister in one go, the effect would be devastating.”

“I will have the building searched immediately,” Garrett said, his face hardening. “Pillick, I want you to take care of tightening security. No human will be smuggling such an atrocious object onto the Capitol grounds, not on my watch.” His hazel eyes glittered dangerously.

“I will do the same for the Palace,” Iannis said. He reached for my hand under the table and squeezed it a little harder than necessary. “I wouldn’t put it past Thorgana to force you to live as a panther for the rest of your days, so try to remain in human form unless you absolutely have to shift.”

“I will,” I promised, my veins icing at the very thought. Permanently turning me into an animal before Iannis and I were wed would be a horrible vengeance that fit Thorgana’s brand to a T. “We should make sure any large or heavy parcels delivered to the Palace are opened and searched before being allowed inside. And all unexpected deliveries should be subjected to an automatic search.”

“We’ll put a team of human servants on it,” Iannis said, nodding. “They won’t be at risk.”

“Do you think my predecessor is at all aware of this Magic Eraser?” Director Chen asked, her brow furrowed. “I am having a hard time envisioning any mage being okay with the existence of such a terrible device.”

“I doubt it,” Iannis said. “Argon Chartis may hate the establishment now, but he is still a mage, and he would not want Thorgana to be in possession of a weapon that could destroy him so completely. He is not an idiot—he must suspect that she plans to get rid of him when he is no longer useful, as he is no doubt planning to do to her. He likely thinks that once he is the last mage standing, it will be very easy to do away with Thorgana.”

“Yeah, well, if this Eraser thing really exists, then he’s gonna be in for a nasty surprise,” I said with a grim smile.

“Let’s hope Chartis never needs to find out that he does not have the upper hand,” Garrett said. “As Miss Baine says, if this thing does exist, we must make every effort to find it and destroy it quickly. Since it will likely be with Thorgana, we can kill two birds with one stone.” He smiled fiercely, and I recognized the gleam in his eyes—it was the thrill of the hunt. The bastard was far from ready to give up.