Do you think Azoria knew? Do you think that’s why she chose Mrs. Erickson?

The house was transferred to her family before she was born. There was nothing that would indicate magical ability to anyone. Azoria may have been able to detect something that we couldn’t detect.

How? Sanabalis strongly implied that there were different tests—and those required the most protected room hidden in the palace. There’s no test she could have made that wouldn’t be seen or remembered—certainly by Mrs. Erickson. Although I hate to admit it, I don’t think the Imperial Mage responsible for dismissing her magical aptitude or potential failed to perform the usual tests.

Good, Severn said, and meant it; she could feel the relief.

Good?

I think there’s a reason that Mrs. Erickson never fell to the possible enchantments Azoria placed in this “normal” home. I was curious about one thing, and I did a full audit of tax and property Records. With permission, he added, as he caught wind of her surprise. The home was transferred to the Swindons—to Mrs. Erickson’s mother—when she was pregnant. Care to guess who sealed the transfer?

Azoria?

Yes. According to the paperwork, she gave a parcel of the lot she owned to the Swindons—and she allowed them to build a house suitable to the lot itself. A small house. Before you ask, no, we have no Records about how the house was constructed, but we do know who owned it. Legally, it now belongs to Mrs. Erickson. In the past, however, it belonged to Azoria.

You think she...approached Mrs. Erickson’s parents?

When they were expecting, yes.

You think she tried to do something to Mrs. Erickson before she was even born?

Severn didn’t answer, which was answer enough.

How did she even meet the Ericksons?

There’s no information in regard to that, and no further legal Records of any kind surrounding them. It’s likely—but not impossible—that Azoria did occupy the house that once stood here, and that she hired human servants to tend to daily tasks. If Mrs. Erickson’s mother was one of those people, she might have offered the land and the small house—in keeping with servant houses historically—as a gift, perhaps a wedding gift. This is entirely conjecture. I haven’t had the chance to ask Mrs. Erickson herself.

No—things have already gone pear-shaped. We can ask her later.

“Jamal? Esme?” No answer. “Callis? Katie?” She looked over her shoulder at her partner. “Either they’re not here or I can no longer see them.”

“Should we ask Mrs. Erickson?”

Kaylin shook her head. “I want Mrs. Erickson to stay by Terrano and Serralyn if at all possible. We should really move her to somewhere safe—but I don’t want to risk opening that door.”

Severn nodded. He, too, thought there was a chance the door would no longer open into Elantra.