Page 134 of Arcane Entanglement

Evander recalled the uproar that had accompanied the revelation of his Archmage status.

I understand why she chose to remain silent about her powers. Her family must have helped her.

“I appreciate your discretion in this matter.” Ophelia’s gaze searched Evander’s face before flicking nervously to the others. “I hope you can all keep my secret for longer. It’s not something I’m ready to reveal yet.”

“Of course, we’ll keep your secret.” Ginny squeezed Ophelia’s hand, her voice gentle. “We are friends, are we not?”

Ophelia sniffed and nodded, her chin wobbling. Ginny passed her a handkerchief.

“Thank you.” She dabbed at her eyes before steeling herself and meeting Evander and Viggo’s gazes. “The reason I wished to see you is because I had another vision last week.”

Evander’s pulse quickened. He leaned forward. “What was it about?”

Ophelia swallowed hard. “Before I tell you, I must say something. I cannot control my foresight, nor can I force it. The fleeting glimpses I receive of the future are often so vague I cannot fathom their meaning until the events are unfolding before my very eyes.” Her gaze swung between Evander and Viggo. “I’m glad you heeded my advice aboutNightshade. The two of you will need each other’s strength to fight what’s coming.”

Tension radiated off Viggo in waves. Evander held his breath.

“Tell us what you saw, Ophelia,” Ginny urged gently.

Ophelia closed her eyes, as if trying to block out the memory even as she recalled it. “I saw London.” She swallowed, her voice barely above a whisper. “But not as it is now. It was frozen. Decimated by an ice storm.”

Ginny sucked in air. Rufus cursed.

Evander’s hand found Viggo’s fingers, his heart thundering in his chest.

“The Thames was a solid white,” Ophelia continued. She opened her eyes and fixed Evander with a look of desperation. “Buildings were encased in ice and frost, windows shattered by the cold, pipes buckled. And the people—” She stopped and shuddered. “Those who hadn’t fled were frozen where they stood. It was like a city of statues, preserved in a moment of terror.”

A chill that had nothing to do with Ophelia’s vision shook Evander to the core at these words. His mind raced, possibilities and fears tumbling over each other in a dizzying whirl.

“I don’t know when this will happen,” Ophelia mumbled, oblivious to the sick feeling twisting Evander’s stomach. “But it will, that I’m certain of.”

“Evander? What’s wrong?”

Viggo’s concerned voice jolted Evander from his horrified daze.

Perspiration beaded Evander’s brow as he stared at Ophelia. He could see the truth she had yet to reveal in her troubled gaze.

“It was me, wasn’t it?” Evander said numbly. “It was my power that froze London in your vision.”

Ginny gasped, hand rising to cover her mouth.

“What?” Rufus mumbled.

Ophelia fisted her hands on her lap. But she did not deny his statement.

Viggo unfroze and shifted closer to Evander, as if to protect him from what she would say next.

“That was part of it,” Ophelia confessed reluctantly. She met Evander’s stare unflinchingly. “But I am certain it was not the whole picture.”

A heavy silence fell over the room.

“But—how?!” Rufus looked at Evander beseechingly, silently pleading him to deny the very possibility of such a future.

Evander could barely breathe, his chest was so tight.

“It’s happened before,” he said in a brittle voice. “Not to me, but to other Archmages. Losing control of our powers. It’s rare, but when it happens, the results are invariably catastrophic.” His tone turned bitter. “The only reason this is not widely known is because the authorities invariably mask the incident as a natural disaster.”

Viggo’s voice was unusually quiet when he spoke.