It would in no way match my confiscated one, but a lot of the principles remained the same. The wood would allow me to focus my magic through the jewels, drawing on their inherent properties. It would’ve been better if the jewels had been properly charmed, but then, there were a lot of things about this wand that could be better.

Casting a wary glance at the door, I stood and held the wand straight out. This magic was shamanic and human. It should be undetectable to the gentry outside. I spoke Volusian’s summoning words and felt the magic falter as it went through the wand. Still, it was stronger than if I’d summoned him unaided. Remembering the effort I’d needed before, I channeled every bit of focus I could into the magic, trying to break through the land’s enchantment blocking his bond to me.

Against all reason, just when I thought I’d failed, Volusian appeared in the cell. He had that flickering appearance again but didn’t look like he was going anywhere. The bond between us had been hard to summon, but I didn’t feel it was going anywhere either. His red eyes took in the scene and then came to rest on my “wand.”

“My mistress summoned me with ... that?”

“My options were kind of limited,” I said, sitting on the mattress.

“I would feel insulted,” he said, “save that it’s a greater slight to those who cursed me that their wards could be overcome so easily.”

I smiled. “Well, don’t get too cocky because we’re still in kind of a mess. Varia’s people have us all prisoner here in her palace.”

“You are still in possession of your magic.”

“If I use it, there’s a good chance they’ll kill off my friends before I can actually accomplish anything.”

Volusian said nothing but gave me a look that clearly stated he didn’t see what the problem was.

“Is there any way you can free them?” I asked. “That would take a lot of stress off me.”

“It seems to me, mistress, it would remove a lot of stress if I freed you.”

I shrugged. “I’m sure I can free myself. Well, maybe. I mean, I’m not the one with a handicap here. The rest of them are bound and blocked off from their magic. I’m not because Varia knows I won’t risk their lives. Once they’re out of trouble, though, I can start doing some serious damage.”

“That plan is ill-conceived and ill-advised, mistress. Fortunately for you, I am unable to comply. I can’t stray vary far from you in this land.” It was kind of what Dorian and I had talked about, how Volusian needed me and our bond to overcome the magic that would normally bar him from the Yew Land.

“Can you go to Dorian?” I asked. “I think he’s down the hall.”