Magic's Minister [COMPLETED]

Chapter Forty-six

Smoke suffocated the streets from the now-extinguished fire, coating a dismal gray film over the whole area. The stragglers from a former bucket line continued to pour water on the last few dying embers while those who had already finished, cleaned the smoke from their throats with the drinks Crayden had ordered over from a different building of his.

Zedeya leaned against a pillar in the blackened remains of the previously lush front garden. Mydel hung back from her as if corruption and darkness could be caught like a common cold. She rolled her eyes and summoned an essence flare in her hand, admiring how much more powerful and stable it had become.

"You're getting stronger," Tyrinn stated, arriving beside her.

"I have you to thank for that, Minister Tyrinn."

He gave her a predatory grin and leaned close enough to whisper in her ear. "Master Gaiven from the tower, arriving as I predicted." He nodded further into the ruined garden where a man was shouting at a couple of city guards, his face as red at his mage's hat.

"I'll do whatever it takes to bring that man down! You just try arresting me and I'll—"

Zedeya pursed her lips together. The tower's mage hunter was the stuff of legends. She'd heard old stories about his ruthlessness as a wizard and if the burnt building was any indication, he hadn't lost that after he defected.

"I almost wish you'd predicted wrong."

Tyrinn shook his head. "No, this is actually going better than I expected."

"Going to keep me in the dark?"

Tyrinn chucked. "That'd be pretty hard to do with someone as smart as you." He waved toward Master Gaiven. "Why don't you tell me what I'm thinking?"

Zedeya bit the inside of her cheek and stared at the man, letting theories percolate in her brain. "Getting the tower on his side would be very dangerous for us... but you're not worried. Which means you don't think he poses a threat. But if Master Alverdyne got him alone and started talking..."

Zedeya snapped her fingers and turned back to Tyrinn, a gleeful smile on her face. "Gaiven's going in for the kill."

Tyrinn tipped his hat with a flourish. "Bright and beautiful."

"Master Tyrinn?"

Tyrinn closed his eyes in irritation before turning to Mydel as the picture of benevolent leadership. "There you are!" He clapped his hand on the young man's shoulder. "I need you to help me with something, it's very important."

Zedeya ground her teeth in irritation. If she had a coin for every time that annoying little twit had interrupted a moment between her and the ambitious, attractive new minister, she'd be able to buy Mydel a hat that actually fit.

Said twit lit up at the thought of being useful. "Anything, sir."

"Go talk to Master Gaiven. See if you can't calm down the city guards and stir up a little goodwill between the two of us. He might be able to help us find Master Alverdyne and Miss Everbloom."

Mydel dashed off at the mention of that woman's name, firmly wrapped up in his belief that "saving" her would win him her heart...or at least a date.

"Did we have to bring him?"

"An extra witness will prove useful and with Mydel, we outnumber them. Now come on, Crayden has something of mine."

They took off around the back of the building, finally reaching a secluded area. Although less well-tended than the rest of the gardens had been, the fire hadn't touched it so thick bushes choked the area while vines spilled over the stone walls like green waterfalls. Zedeya might have thought it tranquil if not for the sound of a fist connecting with a face.