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I’m usually at the Mage Hall to deliver or retrieve a book. Lately, I’ve also been helping that guy out with his curse. It’s rare that I visit for a magical mishap.
I’m sitting in a comfortable chair next to Brandon, my colleague, who’s as bothered by this situation as I am.
“This is very unusual,” Vienna, the Royal Mage who has spent the last ten minutes listening to our story, says. In front of her, on the table between us, the problem book sits next to the tea tray. This particular book is a tome on affiliations and it has been on our shelves for some time with no incidents. Until now. Brandon had been assessing it for damage repair when a passive spell had been triggered, affecting both of us.
Vienna takes a sip of her tea before she continues. “The two of you don’t appear to be experiencing any discomfort and it seems as if the spell will wear off in a day or two. You should be able to carry on as normal.”
Brandon nods, relieved, but I frown.
It’s Friday.
Tomorrow is Saturday.
As if summoned by my thoughts, the High Mage stalks into the room like a pissed-off panther. He ignores Vienna, who’s nearly dropped her teacup in shock, to snap, “What have you done?” at me.
Brandon goes white and hastily stands. “Well, if that’s it, I’d better go back to the library,” he says before bowing to the Royal Mages and racing from the room.
I bristle at the High Mage. “I didn’t do anything. It was that book.” I gesture toward the culprit on the table.
“Can’t you reverse it?” he demands.
I stand to glare at him as Vienna edges out of the room, closing the door behind herself. We’re alone now, and the High Mage’s eyes are practically glowing with heat.
“No, I can’t fucking fix it!” I snap. “If I could, I would have done so already. I’m not happy about this either, you know. Water is the direct opposite to fire.”
And that water is now brimming in my veins—Brandon’s water magic. Thanks to that book, our affiliations have switched. Brandon now has my fire, and it’s not settling well in his blood either.
The High Mage paces the room, hands clenched into fists. I’ve rarely seen him this close to losing it. I know my affiliation swap is an inconvenience for him due to tomorrow being a Saturday, hence the day his curse activates, but this reaction is a little over the top. He’s acting as if he’s the one whose affiliation has been switched with someone else’s.
“Alexi’s birthday celebration is tomorrow,” he says.
Yes, I’m supposed to be there, as the High Mage is expected to attend as well, and of course perform a spell. Which obviously can’t happen now given that I can’t cast high level fire spells until this spell wears off.
The High Mage stops pacing to glare at the book on the table as if it’s solely responsible for every single bad thing that’s ever happened to him in his life.
“If you light that book on fire, you’ll be paying for it,” I warn. “It’s a valuable edition.” From the gleam I’d seen in Vienna’s eyes when the implications of its spell had been revealed, I know she’s seen the potential in this situation. Mages cannot cast high level spells belonging to other affiliations without the aid of a Vial of that affiliation. But, if affiliations can be temporarily switched, then an experienced mage might be able to cast such spells. Surely that will occur to the High Mage.
When he finishes throwing his childish tantrum, that is.
“Since it’s Alexi’s party,” I say, “he won’t mind if we cancel.” Alexi is one of a handful of people who know about the High Mage’s curse. “You can just say that you aren’t feeling well.”
The High Mage does look rather sick as he turns to me. “Are you absolutely sure there’s nothing to be done?” he demands.
“Yes, absolutely,” I reply, and I sit back down on the comfortable chair. The flowery fragrance of the tea lingers in the room, soothing some of my frustration with this guy. I guess I can’t blame him for being upset. Alexi is his cousin, and missing Alexi’s birthday is a disappointment.
Still, I think there’s more to the High Mage’s frustration than just missing his cousin’s birthday party.
“Ugh. I suppose I have no choice,” he mutters. He wipes his forehead with a hand, and I realise that he’s sweating. Why? Is he that stressed by this situation? If anybody should be stressed, it’s me. I’m the one who has to manage Brandon’s magic, which definitely knows that it doesn’t belong with me. I feel as if a malevolent chill is running through my veins.
The High Mage gathers himself and fixes me with a firm violet stare. “Can you sense the scope of Brandon’s magic?” he inquires. The academic nature of his question startles me. Why is that important?
“Um, not really,” I admit. “It’s water, I know that much, and it’s there, but beyond that, I can’t measure its strength. He’s never been assessed, but from his family’s history, I think he’s on the lower end of the scale.”
“That means that he won’t be able to measure yours,” the High Mage mutters to himself, starting to pace again.
I pick up my teacup and take a sip as I watch him, puzzled. “If he did know the scope of my magic, that wouldn’t be a problem though, would it?” I inquire. “That information is pretty useless.”
The High Mage stops next to the window and shakes his head before running his fingers down the length of his pink braid. “It’s irrelevant anyway,” he says, “though the sooner this spell wears off, the better off we’ll be. There’s just too much of a risk…”
“A risk of what?” I ask, taking a risk of my own. The High Mage doesn’t always react well to questions, and he’s definitely not in a mood to humour me today.
“Never mind,” he says, giving the expected response.
I’m really tired of being brushed off so often.
“Take the rest of the day off,” he instructs. “You shouldn’t be around Brandon until the spell wears off. I’ll let Alexi know we won’t be attending his party tomorrow.”
I sigh, resigned. He’s right that I should probably avoid Brandon until our magics are returned to us. If either of us triggers another spell, there’s no telling how it’ll stack with this one. Since the High Mage is the kingdom’s highest authority on magic, ignoring his advice is not a smart move.