Page 78 of Awakened Ash and Alchemy

“Why?”

“You’re both smart people. And Bellus gets along with everyone, if you can get his head out of a book. Got a photographic memory, and connects with the ancestors easily. They like him.”

“A photographic memory would’ve been handy in law school.”

Condorr closed the hollowed book and slid it back on the shelf. “Ancient tax laws, no one reads them.” He grinned to himself.

“So who does that leave out of your group?”

“The Commander, Lord Gellar. Not only is he a master battle strategist, but he’s good at politics and has done great things for the Vanguard. He’s got a shield that can withstand anything, so that’s handy in battle. But he doesn’t get out much, too busy manning the desk. Which is why I reckon Zarek isn’t keen on the job. I mean, Zarek is a brilliant field commander, boots-on-the-ground kind of guy. But he also sees big picture stuff, which is rare. And he hates politics, which is Gellar’s strength. So as a team, well…”

“You really care about them.”

“They’re my brothers.” He gave a soft smile at the model that was all in pieces on the table. He tested the joining of a freshly glued extension of what looked like half a small canoe paddle without the handle.

“That’s not for you?”

“No. I’m building a plane.”

Now he’d said it, she could see the body of the plane like a puzzle yet to be fitted together, including the wing joint he was testing. It also had an engine, making it more than just a model. “Is that a flying plane? I don’t see any batteries or a charger for it.” Why would they need planes when they had that magical materializing thing? It made her wonder if their witches flew around on brooms too.

“No. We don’t allow EMF signals or radio waves in the magical realm.”

“Is that why there are no phones in this place?” Because her phone and handbag had gone missing.

He nodded. “The electromagnetics can interfere with the purity of magick in this realm. You wouldn’t notice it in your world because you’ve grown up with the air full of shortwave, long range, microwave signals, and stacks of EMF.”

“You should hear my aunt talk about that kind of stuff.” Another pang of missing her aunt had her rubbing the heel of her palm of her heart. “Surely that plane, would have some sort of signal to it.”

“I’m trying to modify it to use one of the energy crystals… It’s a gift for Rocharde, to replace the one I broke.” He shrugged while boyishly tapping the toe of his shoe against the floor. “When I flew it, I skimmed too close to the lake’s surface, and the sea-sirens snatched it. Then they scattered it across the lake like toothpicks. Rocharde hasn’t let me forget it because he’d warned me they would.” Again, he shrugged those beefy shoulders. “I couldn’t get the same model, but I hope this will do.”

Aww, Condorr meant that too.

“And then you have Martar.”

“Right?” The guy was always grinning at her.

“He’s our Sergeant at Arms, and the ice to Zarek’s fire.”

“Excuse me?” She arched an eyebrow. “They’re a couple?”

“What?” Condorr thought for a second. “Er, no. No.” He shook his head. “They’ve been paired up since they were boys.”

“Ah huh.” She now arched two eyebrows at him.

“No, not like that. Martar controls ice and frost, he puts out Zarek’s fires. And he is—annoyingly—popular with the ladies. Whereas Zarek couldn’t touch anyone…” He paused to peek at her. “Zarek’s a good man. A really good man.”

“Sounds like you’re trying to put in a good word.”

Condorr grinned wide, scrubbing fingers through his blond hair. “Hey, maybe you can fix some of the old books falling apart in the Hidden Hall of Histories. The ancestors are so rough, they’re like children chucking a tantrum.”

Angela actually laughed for the first time in days. Considering how heavy the mood was from magick testing, and the lack of sleep from the nightmares that were irritating her to no end, it was nice to lighten up.

That’s when the temperature spiked.

Zarek materialized in the doorway so fast that Angela stumbled back. His staves were glowing red beneath his leathers, his eyes locked on Condorr with an intensity that made the air shimmer.

“What’s happening here?” Zarek’s voice was icy.