Page 52 of Arcane Entanglement

“Not at all.”

Curiosity piqued Evander as Viggo picked up the vessel and held it up to the light streaming through the arched windows looking out over the river. Contrary to his expectations, the Brute appeared remarkably comfortable in the unusual milieu he found himself in.

Somehow, he suspected few situations would unnerve the man.

Viggo’s eyes gleamed as he inspected the content of the tube. “Monk’s Lilacproduces a deep purple powder when dried and ground.” He uncorked it and took a careful sniff. “It has a sweet musky aroma that intensifies when the powder is disturbed.”

Brown nodded and rubbed his beard approvingly, like a professor pleased with a particularly excellent student.

Rufus scowled when Viggo dipped his index finger inside the vial and lifted specks of the dust onto his skin.

“You shouldn’t be touching the evidence like that!” he snapped.

“It’s alright, Inspector,” Brown drawled with surprising benevolence. “That’s not the only sample Miss Shaw found.”

This earned the alchemist incredulous stares from several of his associates. Anyone else would have had their hand chopped off if they’d attempted the same.

Viggo ignored Rufus’s interruption and rubbed the residue between his fingers.

“Monk’s Lilacis extremely fine and clings to surfaces,” he said thoughtfully. “It was correct of you to assume it would still be present at the crime scene.”

Brown cocked his head to the side, his expression quizzical. “Then, why do think I’m wrong?”

The faint smile that tugged at Viggo’s lips made Evander’s stomach flip-flop. The intelligence and confidence in the Brute’s gaze was a facet of his personality he was witnessing for the first time.

He found it positively breathtaking.

“You forgot to factor in the degradation process in the location where it was discovered.”

Viggo’s answer made Brown blink and Shaw suck in air.

“Cor blimey!” the forensic mage mumbled, earning herself a narrow-eyed look from Rufus.

“The temperature and humidity.” Brown stared dazedly at Viggo before looking out the windows. “It’s autumn!”

Viggo dipped his head. “Correct.” He picked up the bottle containingMonk’s Lilacand poured a small amount in a glass dish before holding it out to Evander. “Do you think you can lower the temperature in this dish to about twelve degrees centigrade and add, say, some eighty percent humidity?” he asked lightly.

Evander noted that the Brute didn’t call him His Grace this time around.

“Sure.”

His fingers grazed Viggo’s hand as he took the receptacle off him.

The Brute’s skin was hot and firm under his touch. Evander hoped he didn’t notice the way his breath quickened and his pulse accelerated at the barest contact.

It took some effort to concentrate on his water magic. Coolness danced through his veins. A damp chill coiled around his hands.

Everyone stared as theMonk’s Lilacfaded to a greyish hue.

“Good grief!” Brown said hoarsely. “Then the powder Miss Shaw found is?—!”

“Noctis Bloom,” Viggo said gravely. “They share many similarities, including their smell and their consistency in powder form.”

“ButNoctis Bloomretains its deep, rich colour when exposed to the elements for a considerable length of time.” Brown gave Viggo a stunned look. “How did you know?!”

The Brute shrugged. “You could say I’m an amateur botanist.”

Heat suffused Evander’s body when their eyes met.