Prisha crossed her arms and sighed. “You’re so lucky, you know? I’ve never seen anything like the entrapment spell Eva made. I didn’t think I’d ever feel bad for Angus, but what an awful way to go.”

“What did the spell do?” I didn’t feel any sympathy for Angus, but I was also very aware that spell had almost been Declan’s fate.

“As far as we can tell, it took his magic.” She shuddered. “Drained every drop. Eva got all of it. That level of magic, she probably didn’t even feel her mating bond sever.” She scowled. “I’m actually surprised she got away. Someone must have helped her escape. If I’d had that dose, I wouldn’t have been able to walk.”

“She might have built up a tolerance,” I said, internally shuddering at the thought. How many people had Eva tortured in the name of magic over the years?

“Probably.” Prisha wrinkled her nose. “Arcanist Woodbridge is beside himself. You should have heard him over the phone. How can someone be so happy over something so awful?”

“It’s his super power, I guess.”

She snorted. “I’m actually surprised he’s not here.”

My mom came over then, wrapping her arm around me. “Mage Bhatt, can we finish this tomorrow? My daughter is exhausted.”

Prisha rubbed a hand over her eyes, suddenly looking as tired as I felt. “I should lock all of you up for ignoring my orders.”

Luis, looking fresh as a daisy compared to the rest of the crowd, came over, his smile wide. He was having a blast. “Mage Bhatt.” He held a hand out to her and she shook it. “It’s good to see you again.”

She lit up, her grin genuine. “Mr. Velasquez, always a pleasure. What are you doing here?”

He flashed her his million-dollar smile. The man was so handsome it should be illegal. Go, Mom. “A date gone slightly haywire.” He slipped an arm around my mom’s shoulders.

Prisha dropped her hands to her hips. “They got to you.” She shook her head. “And you were so reasonable, too. I’ve seen how this family works, Luis. Good luck.”

“Thanks,” he said. “Think I could take them all off your hands?”

Prisha sighed. “Fine.” She pointed a finger in my face. “Tomorrow. Three o’clock. Uncanny Tribunal Commission. You and this whole sorry lot will be there, or you will not like the consequences.”

“We will be there,” I said. “Promise.”

She walked off, muttering to herself about mages, shifters, and well-earned vacations.

“How do you know Mage Bhatt?” I asked.

Luis’s grin turned decidedly sly. “Fundraisers. My company has donated to some of Prisha’s pet projects over the years.”

“She seems nice,” my mom said.

“If she’d said I couldn’t leave, you would have put her head on a pike,” I said.

“Well, yes, but she didn’t, so she gets to be nice.”

Luis laughed and kissed her temple. My mom actually blushed. She didn’t stand a chance against Luis. He held out a hand and pulled me up. “Gather your troops and let’s get you home.”