Page 123 of Arcane Entanglement

Evander met her steady stare warily.

“The power used to control Magnus Graveoak and those mages is a form ofBlood Magicknown asSanguine Subjugation.”

Evander went deathly still.

Brown cursed. McAndrew’s eyes rounded.

Rufus blanched.

“Blood Magic?” The inspector glanced at Evander. “But that’s?—!”

“Forbidden magic,” Evander said in a hard voice.

Mrs. Scarborough nodded gravely. “It’s one of the darkest forms of magic known to exist. The ability to manipulate life force and vitality. To use blood to fuel powerful spells and even control the bodies of others.Blood Magicwas considered taboo since it was often associated with dark rituals and sacrifices. There has been no known practitioner of the art in the last two hundred years.”

Rufus swallowed. “And this—Sanguine Subjugationis similar?!”

“Yes.” Mrs. Scarborough’s jaw tightened. “Sanguine Subjugationallows the caster to completely dominate the will of another person, turning them into nothing more than a puppet. It requires a drop of the victim’s blood, which is magically bound into the cursed gem used to control them. Just forcibly inserting the gemstone in someone’s flesh would be enough to achieve that.”

Rufus swore under his breath.

“That’s—barbaric,” Brown muttered.

Evander’s chest tightened as he relived the moment Renwick had buried the gem in Viggo’s flesh. The wound on the Brute’s neck had already healed, courtesy of his powers of recovery and the Met’s healers.

“As long as the cursed gem is intact and the matching stone is in the possession of the caster, they have complete control over their victim’s actions.” Mrs. Scarborough frowned. “The fact that Mr. Stonewall was able to resist the power ofSanguine Subjugationand break Caine Renwick’s control over his mind is nothing short of miraculous.”

Evander’s mouth went dry. Not for the first time, he experienced a sense of profound relief and gratitude that Viggo had been born a powerful Brute.

“I hear he achieved more than one miracle that day,” Brown grunted with a proud smile. “He stopped a runaway train with his bare handsandhe survived that explosion.”

“Yes, well, I’m sure Mr. Stonewall will get a medal for all his ridiculous achievements,” Rufus said irritably.

Everyone stared at him, Evander with a scowl.

Evander suppressed an annoyed sigh and turned to Mrs. Scarborough.

“Is there any way to protect against this magic?”

The curse-breaker shook her head. “Not that I know of, your Grace.” She met Evander’s stare steadily. “The best defence is to never allow your blood to fall into the wrong hands.”

Chapter49

Evander’s mindwas still reeling from all he had learned that afternoon when he returned to his townhouse in Mayfair.

“Would you like dinner now, my Lord?” Hargrove said.

“Yes,” Evander replied distractedly. “I shall freshen up first.” He crossed the foyer and paused, one foot on the staircase. “Has there been any news from Mr. Stonewall?”

Hargrove’s expression made him immediately regret the question.

“I’m afraid not, my Lord,” the manservant said in a saccharine voice. “You shall be the first to know when he sends a missive.”

Evander sighed. “Jasper?”

“Yes, my Lord?”

“Stop smiling like that. It’s making me want to punch you in the face.”