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“Enough!”he growled.“If we meant you harm, you’d already be dead.”

His captive stilled, chest heaving beneath the dress.Up close, Viggo could see subtle signs that challenged her feminine appearance—a strong jawline, hands slightly too large for a woman of her stature.

“Who are you?”she demanded, fear and defiance warring in her voice.

“Viggo Stonewall,” he replied, cautiously releasing his grip but remaining ready to restrain her again if necessary.“I work with Duke Ravenwood.We’re investigating Professor Whitley’s disappearance.”

Recognition flickered in her eyes.“The Ironfist Brute,” she breathed.Her gaze darted to the ruined cobblestones her magic had torn up.“So it’s true.You’re immune to magic.That’s how you withstood my attacks!”

“Most of them,” Viggo grunted.He stood up and helped her to her feet before rotating his shoulder where the brick had struck.It would bruise, but nothing was broken.“Your earth magic is pretty impressive.”

She swallowed.

Rufus appeared at the entrance to the alley, panting slightly from exertion.“Did you—ah, I see you have our quarry.”The inspector eyed the devastated alleyway cautiously as he approached.“What happened?”

“She resisted,” Viggo muttered.

The young woman’s expression remained wary.“Where’s Mary?What have you done with her?”

Evander’s voice came from behind them.“Your maid is safe.”

Viggo turned to see the mage approaching with the older woman, his hand resting lightly on her elbow.Unlike her companion, she showed no signs of having fought back.

“I’ve explained our purpose,” Evander said.“She seems to think you should hear us out.”

Mary nodded, her plain face etched with worry.“It’s true, Master James.The Duke says they’re trying to help find your professor.”

The captive stiffened at the name.

Evander’s gaze sharpened.“James Thornfield, I presume?”He studied the young woman’s face with new intensity.“The transfiguration potion you used is quite remarkable.I’d wager it’s your own creation.”

For a moment, Thornfield seemed ready to deny it.His shoulders slumped in resignation.

“How did you know where we were?”

“A first-year student saw two women fleeing the Institute the night you disappeared.One of our forensic mages found the broken vial containing traces of the transfiguration potion in the quadrangle.”Evander’s mouth quirked in a slight smile.“You would have gotten away with it had it not been for the clue Lady Whitley gave us this afternoon.Why did Professor Whitley have a piece of paper containing the address to these lodgings in his possession?”He glanced at the building beside them.

Thornfield rubbed the back of his neck.“He’d anticipated that people working for his sponsor might come after us.I thought it far-fetched at the time but after the professor disappeared, I knew I could be next on the list.We’d agreed that if anything happened, we would meet here.”

“Perhaps we should continue this conversation somewhere less exposed,” Rufus suggested, glancing at the curious faces now peering from the windows above them.

Evander followed the inspector’s gaze.

“Your room would suffice if you’re willing to invite us in properly this time,” he told Thornfield with a frown.

Thornfield brushed dirt from his skirts.“Very well.But I warn you, if this is a trap?—”

“It isn’t,” Viggo interrupted firmly.“Though I can’t say the same for whatever you were running from.”

The young man’s face tightened.“Follow me.We’ll use the back stairs.”

Chapter30

The room Thornfieldand Mary had rented was small and spartan, with peeling wallpaper and two narrow beds.A trunk in the corner appeared to contain their only possessions.Despite the squalid surroundings, someone had clearly made efforts towards cleanliness—the floor was swept, and the bedding, though worn, was neatly arranged.

Thornfield sat on the edge of one of the beds while Mary busied herself making tea on a small spirit stove.The student addressed Viggo.

“I apologise for attacking you.”He glanced at Evander and Rufus.“When I heard footsteps on the stairs, I assumed the worst.There are only three rooms in use on this floor.The other lodgers aren’t due back until late tonight and it is not yet meal time.”