Chapter 52

"JUST DROP IT DEAR," Laya chuckled. "Not everything about magic can be explained logically."

"But is there a possibility for me to also be able to communicate with someone far away?"

"I really don't know, asking me over and over again will not change that answer."

Laya had contacted Daniel the night before through thought transference to tell him where they were.

Magnolia had told her that she had done it before on the red hill, she spoke to Daniel through her mind. But Laya said that the magic needed was different, since she was looking into Daniel's eyes when that happened.

Magnolia pouted. "Fine." She pushed Thunder into a gallop.

"Ah, can we just take it slow," Laya complained. "I don't think it's a good idea to ride any faster."

"Maybe if you hadn't eaten both your breakfast and half of mine, you wouldn't be feeling so sick right now."

Magnolia rode away ignoring her friend's pleas and leaving a storm of dust behind her. She only stopped when she reached her family's castle. She turned to look at the horizon, but she couldn't see Laya.

'She probably dismounted her horse and is walking while pulling him.' She chuckled.

Magnolia walked right into the house. For some reason, something had been pulling her into this place. She felt like she had missed something, a clue maybe. She had no idea how, but something deep inside her told her that she needed to be here.

She took slow steps down to the dungeons while brushing her hands against the walls as she walked.

'Are you trying to tell me something?'

As she made her way to the cellar, she came to a halt when she noticed movement.

"Who goes there?" she called, taking a step back and lifting her dagger up.

The man took a few steps to the center of the hallway, allowing the sunlight from the small high windows to hit his face.

He had a tanned face and dry brown hair that reflected how long he had spent in the sun. He was young though, he could not have been older than five and twenty.

"Who are you, and what are you doing here?"

The man's eyes traveled up and down Magnolia's body, taking in how clean her clothes were. He was sure she was a noble, or at least from a baronial family.

"I shall ask you the same question."

Magnolia studied him more, his clothes were humble and quite worn, he was definitely a bandit as his scars and tattoos led to believe.

'He's probably here to steal something, even though the thieves before him took it all. If it were not for bastards like him, I would have probably been able to find clues about my family.'

"Despicable," she whispered, not meaning to say the word out loud.

The man frowned but only for a second. "What is a pretty lady like you doing here anyway?" He took a step forward.

Magnolia squeezed her dagger. It was only for show. If this man tried anything, she would burn him to ashes.

"I suggest you stop where you are, you wouldn't want a pretty lady to slash your gut open."

The man stared at her for a moment before he burst out laughing, his feet halted nevertheless.

"What if I have a bigger dagger?" He pulled one from his back.

'You will still burn if you try to use it.'

Magnolia smiled, which took the man by surprise. He immediately reconsidered his plan. He had been in many situations and learned that underestimating an enemy might cost one his life.

"Listen," he started. "I don't want any trouble." He sheathed his dagger back and lifted his palms up in surrender. "I just want to leave."

The man took slow steps toward her while inching closer to the wall. Magnolia mirrored his movement and stepped back closer to the opposite wall. Each eyed the other carefully.

"You have a good day now, my lady," the man said after they completed the rotation and he was by the stairs now.

When he turned around though, Magnolia glimpsed a book tucked in the back of his pants. Her mind recognized it, even though she did not remember ever laying eyes on it.

She squeezed her eyes shut and snippets of a memory flashed before her. Someone holding that same book, a woman's hands.

"Stop," she yelled, her voice bouncing through the stone walls.

The man sighed dramatically. "I really don't have time for this child play." He pulled his dagger out again. "I will be leaving now."

"Where did you find that book?" Magnolia took a determined step to him.

"What?" He knitted his brows.

"The book, in the back of your pants," she said with a more commanding voice. "Did you steal it from here?"

The man could only stare at her, confused. Then, he shook his head. "It's none of your business." He ascended the first step.

"I beg to differ," Magnolia stepped closer, her dagger almost touching his. "Give it back, thief."

Her jaw was tight. Her temperature had already reached abnormal heights and she was ready to light him up any moment now.

"Are you crazy?" The man shook his head with a raised brow. "Fine." He lifted his dagger, ready to strike but hesitated when Magnolia's grin split her face in two.

Her expression sent shivers down his back, then he felt an arm around his neck with something poking the side of his neck.

"I wouldn't do that if I were you," Laya whispered in his ear as she pushed her sharp nail into his neck, a drop of blood ran down and stained his shirt.

"It took you long enough," Magnolia complained.

"Sorry, I threw up a little." Laya shrugged, making Magnolia press her lips together.

"Hand me the book he has." Laya immediately pulled it out of his pants and threw it to her.

"You're lucky I was busy with her when you sneaked up on me," the man spat, making Laya chuckle.

"Trust me, you should thank me because I'm sure I just saved your life."

Magnolia examined the book's cover, 'The Founding Families'. She ran her hand over the embossed title.

She was certain she had seen it before, probably even read it. She opened it and riffled through the pages when her eyes fell on bold text, Gottanlich, it said on top of one of the pages.

Her eyes darted back to the man. She took fast steps to him and grabbed him by the collar.

"Who are you?" He stared into her eyes, dazed.

"I would answer if I were you," Laya offered.

"I really don't want to, but if you don't answer I will cut you, limb by limb," she articulated the last words as flames arose from her free palm.

The man's eyes widened.

"What are you doing, Magnolia?" Laya sighed.

'Now we have to get rid of this man. Daniel would never forgive me if someone found out.'

"Magnolia?" the man whispered.

He slowly blinked his eyes at her as if his brain had stopped working. His eyes traveled back to hers, and his lips trembled into a smile.

"Magnolia," he repeated. "Magnolia De Solange."

Magnolia's flame died instantly as she took a step away from the man.

"How do you–" Laya tightened her grip around his throat, just in case he tried something.

"I should have seen it earlier." His smile was wider now, eyes glossy. "You look exactly like mother."

Magnolia's breath hitched. "Mother?" She stared at the man with unblinking eyes. "That means…"

"It's me, Killian," he said. "Your brother."