Page 80 of Arcane Entanglement

He chuckled.

“What?” Evander said, puzzled.

“I think we’ll have to call this one the Great Mud Bath of the 1800s.”

The dirt Evander had used to put out the blaze had mixed with the water still soaking people, buildings, and the ground alike, turning everything to sludge.

Finn was cursing and spitting mud out of his mouth down below.

Strangled laughter left Evander.

With the immediate danger passed, the reality of what had just happened began to sink in. Viggo observed the scorched buildings before focusing a frown at the church.

This had been no random attack.

“It was a trap,” Evander said quietly, reading his mind. “An anonymous letter was sent to the Met this afternoon. It was a setup to lure us here. To luremehere.”

Viggo clenched his jaw as he met the mage’s gaze.

“Why? What were they after?"

“The vial.”

Viggo stared, nonplussed. “What vial?”

Evander grimaced. “Oh. I didn’t tell you about the vial.” He paused. “To be fair, it’s evidence in an active murder case, so it’s not as if I could talk openly about it anyway.”

Viggo sighed at his defensive tone.

“I’m not going to blame you for doing your job, Evander.”

Relief brightened Evander’s eyes. Viggo wanted to kiss him then.

Evander faltered and chewed his lip.

“Those devices you used. The fog and that thing that disrupted their magic. Where did you get them?”

Viggo tensed, acutely aware of the weight of the pouch against his chest. He’d known this conversation was coming, but that didn’t make it any easier.

“Nightshadehas—connections,” he said carefully. “Ways of acquiring things most people can’t get their hands on.”

Evander narrowed his eyes. “They’re illegal,” he said.

It wasn’t a question.

Viggo met his gaze steadily. “Yes and no,” he admitted. “They’re not officially classed as criminal artefacts under the laws of this land.” He paused. “Let’s just say they’ve saved the lives ofNightshadeagents more times than I can count. In our line of work, we can't afford to be defenceless against magic.”

He expected anger or at least disappointment. But Evander just looked tired.

“I understand,” the mage said softly. “I may not like it, but...I understand.”

Viggo felt something in his chest loosen at those words. He cupped Evander’s face gently.

“Thank you.”

Their tender moment was interrupted by the arrival of Rufus, looking harried and smoke-stained as he stomped down a path that was no longer there. The inspector froze in his tracks at the sight of the mud-stained slums.

“Did you use your earth magic?!” His shocked gaze moved to Evander and Viggo. He stiffened, eyes shrinking to accusing slits. “Why is he holding you?”