Chapter 64

"I STILL THINK THIS IS A BAD IDEA," Laya complained.

"At least, she is not saying she will kill everyone anymore." Killian smiled sheepishly.

Magnolia rolled her eyes at them both. "So how does this spell work?"

"You'll have a different appearance for half an hour, so you better get out of there before the time is up."

"Are you not coming with us?" Magnolia raised a brow.

"I can't get involved in things like this, the tower will find out. I should stay out here anyway, in case something goes wrong." Laya shrugged. "I think you two can handle yourselves without me."

She handed Magnolia a flask.

"Drink."

After a few gulps, Laya gave it to Killian to do the same.

"So now what–" the words died in Magnolia's throat when her voice changed into a deeper and more manly one. "Oh Gods," she mumbled.

She looked at her hands, they were huge and rough.

"Did I really need this spell as well?" Killian looked annoyed.

"Unless you want your face to end up on posters on every wall in town, then yes." Laya spat. "Now go, remember that you only have half an hour."

"Are you sure it's alright to enter in broad daylight?" Magnolia asked her brother.

"Yes, they won't expect that," he told her as he offered his knee and hands to help her jump over the short wall.

They sneaked in through the back, hiding between the thick trees. Killian led the way as they carefully made it to the house.

They used one of the windows they found unlocked to enter. As soon as they did though, they came face to face with one of the maids. Killian lunged at her immediately and covered her mouth.

"We're not going to hurt you, we are not here for you," he told her. "Do you understand?" The maid nodded with frightened eyes. "Do you know where Baron Pruice is?" She nodded again. "Good, I want you to guide us there." She agreed. "I will release you now, but if you make any noise, I will have no choice but to hurt you."

The maid nodded her head. Killian slowly removed his hand from her mouth, the poor thing was trembling, but she did not make a sound.

The maid guided them to where the baron was, his office. Killian immediately pushed the door open and barged in while pulling the maid with him. Magnolia followed and locked the door behind her.

"What is the meaning of this?" Baron Pruice spat while pushing to his feet.

"Sit," Killian ordered. "We're only here to have a little chat."

With one blow, the maid fell into his arms, unconscious. He placed her in one of the chairs before turning his full attention to the baron. But he was not alone, he had a guest.

'Damn it.' Magnolia recognized the other man immediately, Fred Saknas.

He looked unfazed by the situation. He calmly took another sip of whatever he was drinking. She looked at her brother, but his face did not give away any hints.

"We are here to ask about the duke's son," Killian said.

The baron burst out laughing, surprising the siblings.

"Did the duke send you?" he asked.

"He did not, he does not know we are here," Magnolia offered, still uncomfortable with her deep voice.

"Unfortunately, I have nothing to say in the matter since I don't know anything." He shrugged with a smirk.

"That's unfortunate," Magnolia mimicked his shrug. "I was hoping we could have a civilized conversation." She took a step closer to the two men.

"What? Are you going to try to beat the information out of me?" Baron Pruice laughed again.

"Try burn it out of you," Magnolia grinned before her flames blazed from her arms.

Both men stood and backed away from her with wide eyes.

"Who the hell are you?" The baron's amusement was long gone.

"Seal the door," Magnolia told her brother who immediately used his flames to melt the sides of the door to the wall. "Now, where were we?"

"What do you want?" the baron asked.

"I want you to tell me where Geoffrey Van Konigl is," Magnolia said.

"I told you already, I'm not involved."

"What do you think, Fred?" Magnolia's eyes shifted to Lord Saknas, who was shocked by the way she addressed him.

"If you know who I am, then you better let me go immediately."

"I don't think so," she told him. "I believe you are also involved in this matter."

For a second, Fred looked horrified, but he collected himself quickly.

"How dare you accuse me, the queen's nephew, of kidnapping?" he spat.

"Because you are a despicable bastard, that is why?" Killian looked over to his sister, surprised by her words.

Magnolia walked closer to Fred, he took a few steps back, but he was blocked by the desk. She stood right in front of him, glaring at the man.

"If you do not want me to disfigure you until not even your aunt, the queen, recognizes you, you better talk." She let a single flame dance out of her index as she waved it closer to his face.

"Please, don't burn me," Fred pleaded as his eyes traveled to Pruice.

"Talk," Magnolia ordered. She was getting impatient and time was running out.

"He's in a house in Bergen," Fred said.

"Lord Saknas," Pruice reprimanded.

"Shut it," Magnolia yelled back. "Write down the address." She motioned to the desk behind him.

"I–I don't know the address, but Lord Pruice does."

Magnolia turned to the baron who was already shaking his head.

"Write down the address, Pruice. Otherwise, I will burn your house to the ground, with everyone in it."

He hesitated for a moment, but he reached for a piece of paper and quill.

"If you lie to me, I will come back and kill you and your family." She snatched the paper from him.

"Shall we?" Killian asked as he started to melt the side of the door, it fell to the floor with a loud crash.

Magnolia took a step away from the desk when she heard Fred inhale.

"Interesting," he mumbled. She looked back at him and saw a disgusting grin pull on his lips. "What a familiar scent." She heard him utter as she rushed out of the baron's office.