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Thornfield looked miserable in the face of their accusing looks.

“It was never their purpose to do something that horrific,” he protested.“Their research was meant to be theoretical.Or so I was led to believe.”

“It seems the people sponsoring them felt otherwise,” Evander said bitterly.

Dread tightened his chest.

If “I” was indeed the one behind these crimes, then it seemed subjugating thralls was not his only mission.He intended to make himself and the ones faithful to him the most formidable mages in the Empire by stealing magic from others.Having living vessels that could store limitless magic meant they would never run out and would be in a position to access enormous power at will.

Evander clenched his jaw so hard he almost cracked a tooth.

And if he gets his hands on the powers of several Archmages, he will be invincible.

A sharp knock at the door made them all tense.

“It’s probably just Mrs.Flack with dinner,” Mary whispered, though she didn’t sound convinced.

Viggo moved silently to one side of the door.Evander’s hand drifted to his hidden cane, magic surging in his veins.Rufus positioned himself defensively in front of Thornfield and his servant.

Evander signalled to Thornfield with a curt bob of his head.

The student swallowed.“Who’s there?”he called, his voice rising to a feminine pitch once more.

“Comte Leon Beaulieu, Special Arcane Investigator from Paris,” came the low reply.“Duke Ravenwood sent a message to Scotland Yard.I came as quickly as I could.”

Evander released a pulse of magic.It was met with the familiar power of his former lover.He nodded to Viggo, his shoulders unknotting.

The Brute cautiously opened the door.

Leon stood in the dim hallway.He was immaculate despite the weather, his elegant clothing a stark contrast to the squalid surroundings.

“How did you know we were in this room?”Viggo asked the Frenchman suspiciously as he closed the door after him.

Leon lowered his brows.“You caused quite a fracas in the alleyway.It didn’t take long to figure out where you’d gone.”He assessed the cramped room and its occupations with a sweeping gaze.“What do we have here?”

Evander quickly explained their findings at Whitley’s home and what had ensued.Surprise widened Leon’s eyes as he listened.

“This is Monsieur Thornfield?”he asked, shocked.

“Yes.”

“Remarkable,” Leon murmured, studying the young man’s disguise.“That transfiguration potion was worth every penny you paid for it.”

“I made it myself,” Thornfield muttered.

“Even more admirable, then,” Leon concluded.His gaze settled on the journal in Evander’s hands.“Is that?—?”

“Professor Whitley’s journal,” Evander said grimly.

He summarised what Thornfield had told them.

Leon visibly stiffened.“The Magical Conduit Theory?”

Chapter31

“You’re familiar with it?”Thornfield asked, surprise evident in his voice.

“Unfortunately, yes.”Leon’s expression darkened.“It was one of the reasonsLes Prophètes Illuminéswas disbanded.Chevalier would have been privy to their findings.”