Page 25 of Storm of Shadows

“Will I be able to cast the spell in the physical realm as well as I’m able to here?” I ask.

“It might take a few attempts for your body to adapt to the spell, but it won’t be too difficult since your mind already knows how to cast it.”

“And what would you suggest I learn next?”

“I don’t know which spells the magi have already taught you.”

“Suggest something, and I’ll tell you.”

He pauses, and his silvery brows pinch together as he thinks. “Gladis?”

I conjure a crystalline sword and hurl it at the nearest target. The sword fractures the obsidian before it shatters and disperses.

“What aboutastrombis?”he asks.

I frown, not recognizing the spell. “Is that the Medeican or Lumarian name?”

“Medeican,” he replies.

“Then no, I don’t know that one. What does it do?”

“In Lumaria, we have a similar spell calledreiltinnara, meaning ‘star fall.’ The spell causes shards of aether to rain on its victim.”

“It sounds rather like our blizzard spell, but with aether. I don’t see what new advantage this spell will offer me.”

“Knowledge alone should be advantageous enough,” he replies with the shake of his head. “But the fact this is cast with aether rather than ice means it will be more powerful. Energy is lost when converting aether into the elements, and in this case, it means transferring aether into both water and air. This is why we enchanters favor aether above all else. It is far more efficient.”

I don’t point out his mention of ‘we enchanters.’

“But aether is easily corrupted into dark magic,” I say. “As it stands, my blizzard spell will be far more effective against the necromancers. Or perhaps you know a fire equivalent? Fire fares best against dark magic and the undead. And I’m sure I saw a spell of the sort in my father’s book.”

“Ignir’tempis?”

“That’s the one. Do you know how to cast it?”

“Of course,” he replies. “I know every spell both Lumaria and Nolderan have ever invented.”

“But surely not the ones invented after you became a demon?”

“No, not those.”

“What about the flaming wings spell? Do you know that one?”

“You’ll have to tell me the Medeican name.”

“But then the spell might be activated.”

He casts me an exasperated look. “Do you really possess that little control?”

“Well no, but we’re taught not to say the names unless we intend to use them. Don’t the enchanters encourage a similar approach?”

“Indeed, but only those lacking any skill at all would be required to follow such a ridiculous rule.”

I press my lips together. “Ignir’alas.”Thankfully, no flames burst from my fingers, proving I do have at least some control over my magic.

It takes an age for him to say: “No, I do not know that one.”

“I didn’t think you would,” I reply. “One of my ancestors, Alvord Ashbourne, invented the spell five hundred years ago.”