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He removed a small glass vial from his coat pocket.

“Be careful,” Rufus warned.

“I will.”

Evander collected a sample of the residue before bringing it to his nose so he could take a sniff.He clenched his jaw.

Though faded, there was no mistaking the foul stench of dark magic it emitted.

He put away the vial and straightened before examining the bookcase more closely.It appeared as unremarkable as the others in the room, its shelves filled with leather-bound volumes on elemental theory.

“Something happened here,” Evander said with a frown.“Something that meant someone had to use dark magic.”

Rufus reached for one of the books.He jerked and recoiled when magic crackled against his fingers an inch from the shelf.

“This bookcase is warded!”

Evander’s pulse quickened.“Allow me.”

He extended his hand cautiously, not quite touching the surface.The air around his fingertips grew warm when he encountered the wards.Heat licked his veins, bringing forth a faint aura of fire magic.

Cecillia drew a sharp breath as sparks came to life in front of Evander.They formed a shimmer that rippled as he carefully probed the ward.He narrowed his eyes.

The magic within it was complex.He could sense layers of defensive spells designed to repel casual handling.Something dark lurked beneath them.

“Ingenious,” Evander murmured.“The outer wards are standard protection, but there is some kind of trigger mechanism underlying them.”

Rufus scowled.“A trigger?For what?”

“My best guess is anyone attempting to force their way through these spells would activate something quite unpleasant.”

Leon moved to his side and cast his own magic, his hand mirroring Evander’s movements with elegant precision.

“A nested ward with a shadow trap.”The Frenchman arched an eyebrow at him.“Shall I?”

Evander couldn’t help but smile faintly.“Be my guest.”

“What is he doing?”Cecillia asked with a confused frown while Leon shrugged out of his coat and carefully folded it before placing it on the back of a chair.

Rufus looked similarly puzzled.

“He is going to remove the ward,” Evander said quietly.“Let’s give him some space.”

Chapter16

They retreateda few steps while Leon rolled up his sleeves and took up position in front of the bookcase.He cracked his neck, widened his stance, and shook his fingers loose at his side.

Evander felt the charge of magic build as the Frenchman called upon his powers.Static erupted around Leon, causing his golden hair to glow and spark.He raised his hands and skimmed the air with his fingers.

Rufus startled and Cecillia gasped when the wards became visible to the naked eye, runes coming to life in a pale haze.

Leon began unravelling the complex magical protections one by one.

“Is that—” Cecillia stopped and swallowed convulsively as she met Evander’s gaze, her own stunned.“Nullification Magic?!”

Evander nodded curtly and watched his former lover work.“Leon is a tri-elemental mage, with power over wind, water, and the rarerNullification Magic.”

Leon flashed him a cocky grin over his shoulder.“You mean, so rare I am one of a handful people on the Continent to possess the skill?”