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“This operation requires significant personnel,” Rufus pointed out with a frown.

“I’m sure Winterbourne will authorise a Met task force and a mage squad from the Arcane Division,” Evander said briskly.

Shaw grimaced.“Technically speaking, he already gave you carte blanche to do whatever you want, your Grace.”

“She’s right,” Rufus admitted grudgingly.

Evander came to a decision.“Very well.”He turned to the inspector.“Have a team of twenty assembled and ready to move within the hour.Everyone should be briefed on what we know of these shadow creatures and how to combat them.”

“And Musgrave?”Shaw asked tensely.“We haven’t had time to send officers to his home yet.”

“I suspect he’s at the facility.”Evander studied the map with a scowl.“That’s probably where he disappeared off to this morning, when he detonated that device.”He turned to McAndrew.“I know you’re still working on it, but how soon can you and Mrs.Scarborough complete that anti-shadow magic device I tasked you with?”

The artificer scratched his head awkwardly.“I didn’t want to say anything yet, but we actually completed a working prototype last night.”

Evander’s stomach flip-flopped.“You did?!”

“Yes.”Wariness clouded McAndrew’s face at his expression.“Wait, your Grace.You’re not thinking of taking it on this mission, are you?!”

“That’s exactly what I’m proposing,” Evander said grimly.

Horror widened McAndrew’s eyes.

“Mrs.Scarborough’s going to have my hide,” he groaned.“She told me not to tell you for this very reason.”

“Yes, well, the cat’s out of the bag now,” Evander muttered.

The mage caught Viggo’s arm and drew him aside while the others dispersed to their assigned tasks and McAndrew left to give Mrs.Scarborough the unwelcome news.

“We’ll find Solomon,” he promised quietly.

Something raw and vulnerable flashed in Viggo’s dark eyes—a glimpse of the fear beneath his anger.“He’s like a brother to me, Evander.If they’ve hurt him?—”

Evander wished sorely he could offer more comfort than words.“Solomon is strong and he’s clever.If anyone can survive this, it’s him.”

Viggo nodded stiffly, his throat working as he swallowed.

Chapter37

The Royal Instituteloomed like a dark sentinel at the end of the cul-de-sac as Evander headed briskly towards it with Shaw and a team of mages from the Arcane Division.This area of Bloomsbury was eerily quiet, the cordon they’d erected at the end of the street keeping much of the traffic out.

Sergeant Griffiths and his men were already at the gates.

“We’ve finished evacuating the properties within a five-hundred-foot radius of here, your Grace,” the sergeant reported briskly.

“Good.”Evander scanned the assembled men and women.“Remember, we’re dealing with dark mages and shadow creatures.Do not hesitate to engage full offensive powers.”He hesitated.“And fall back if you feel you’re in mortal danger.That’s a direct order.No one will think any less of you if you do.I would rather you walk out of here alive than die a foolish death.”

The officers and mages nodded, their expressions resolute despite his warning.

A figure hurried towards them from the direction of the cordon.It was Rufus.

“Winterbourne has stationed officers at the other exits,” he told them quietly.

Richfield and Inkwell had identified where the underground tunnels connected to the secret facility had openings in the city.If Musgrave or any of his associates attempted to flee, they would be intercepted.

The buildings of the Institute stood silent as they crossed the courtyard, windows dark and not a soul in sight thanks to the evacuation order Evander had convinced Headmaster Rigley to issue under the guise of structural concerns after the magical confrontation with Musgrave that morning.

His thoughts strayed briefly to Viggo.The Brute should be approaching the sewer entrance with Leon by now.