Page 180 of Infernal Bonds

“Shyrlivi.”

I scoff-laughed. “Well, yeah. That’s been said already.”

“Yes, but I think you are a very powerful Shyrlivi. I can’t say how, but when my daughter came to visit me recently, I felt a powerful signature in her aura. The same power signature I sense cradling you now.” She tapped her long, nude nails on the table. “I’d asked what she’d done that day, and she’d told me she spent the day with you—her new friend.”

Well, that wasn’t what I expected.

What had I expected?

While I was desperate to understand what I was, the constant back-and-forth with everyone and blind speculation were driving me up the wall. This was the first time someone had said something more than “what if” and “she might not be this or that.”

“So you wanna what? Observe me and see if you can figure out my… aura or whatever?”

“In simple terms, yes.”

“How about in not-so-simple terms?” I wanted to know what I was getting into.

“I work with potions and incantations—specifically ones designed to bring out someone’s potential and power levels. I propose doing a few tests of our own before you work with Cornaith’s team, allowing me to use my personal creations to assess you.”

Rinlora’s hands fisted on the surface of the table. I’d been so focused on her mother that I’d forgotten her. Now that I’d turned my attention to her, I noticed the tension in her shoulders, how she kept swallowing, and her refusal to look at me.

I looked at the woman. “Does Cornaith know about this?”

“No.”

“So you wanna use potions on me that aren’t approved by the council, that you made yourself, and not tell them you’re doing it?”

“Essentially, yes.”

“Absolutely not.” I pushed back from the table. “No offense, but I don’t know you from Adam’s house cat, and—”

“Adam’s house cat?”

“Human thing,” I said, dismissing her. “Like I was saying, I don’t know you. I don’t know if what you make is safe. If the council doesn’t even know I’m here, then how can I trust this or you?”

“Rinlora is here.”

“Rinlora looks five seconds away from crawling out of her skin. She does not look okay.”

The woman glanced at Rinlora and scowled at what she saw. “She’s fine. Aren’t you?”

Rinlora lowered her head, unable to speak as she squeezed her fists tighter, shutting down.

I wanted to go to her, but I didn’t know what her involvement in this woman’s scheme was. She’d stayed silent during the trip here and seemed really uneasy at the mall, but I’d assumed it was because she felt guilty for pulling me away from Kavina. Oh, how wrong I’d been.

“You know,” the woman drawled, drawing my attention back to her. “I suppose I could let you in on a little secret. You know, to help you trust me.” Her sickeningly sweet smile made my skin crawl.

I yelped when my chair suddenly jerked forward, bringing me flush with the table as its edge dug into my ribs. “What the fuck?” She could use magic? It seemed she was more than a potion maker.

“You weren’t kidnapped before,” she said, ignoring my protest.

“Excuse me?”

“I know you thought that was the intent, but it wasn’t.” When I didn’t give her a response, she added, “They wanted you gone. What better way to get rid of you than to dump you in Feranzis under the guise of a kidnapping?”

“Who wanted me gone?”

“Master Cornaith and Zeke Alakai’s parents, of course.” She smoothed a hand over the surface of the table. “For some reason, both Cyn Brakeal’s parents and Mistress Amra seem to have grown fond of you.” She glanced at Rinlora. “Much like my daughter.”