While I was sure Volusian’s life history was fascinating, we had no time for it. “Volusian, enough small talk! Do something to help us!”

“Gladly, mistress.”

Volusian moved as though to attack but didn’t get far when Varia shrieked, “No!” Her mental attack on me disappeared, and instead, I felt a ripple of invisible power go through the air and threaten to unravel the bonds that held me and Volusian together. His image flickered, and I could barely believe what was happening.

“Impossible,” I murmured. “She’s trying to banish him.” Considering I couldn’t even banish him alone, I at first thought this must mean Varia was far more formidable than I’d suspected. Then, thinking about the conversation I’d just overheard, I reconsidered. If she had some sort of familial connection to Volusian’s curse, she might also possess an inherent ability to shatter it and send him from this world. Volusian was a pain in the ass, but I couldn’t risk losing an ally like him—especially now. I was in possession of my powers once more and used them to slam Varia into a wall with a blast of wind. At the impact, her grip on Volusian loosened, and my bonds to him reestablished themselves.

“I’m doing you a favor!” she hissed to me. “You want nothing to do with a black wizard like him! He’s evil and traitorous!”

“You can thank your mother and grandmother for that,” returned Volusian smoothly. “I would have been the most loyal of servants if they hadn’t betrayed me. Had I been able to then, I would’ve made them pay. Instead, I had to wait all these centuries until I was bonded to someone strong enough to bring me back to this wretched land. I would rather take my revenge on Ganene and Onya than you, but I’ve long learned to make do with what I have.”

I thought for sure that Volusian was going to rip her apart with his bare hands, just as he’d threatened to do to me on countless occasions. I wondered if I should stop him. Before he made any more advances, however, he paused and glanced at me.

“The cost of me being here, of course, is that I must still serve you, mistress. You asked me to help in some way. From what I can see, the enchantment on the talismans holds.”

“The incantation didn’t work,” I said. “It has to be recited by a Yew magic user—”