Chapter 2
I reached the manor gates and found them guarded.
Before I could step inside, two more acolytes blocked my way.
"Stop! Who are you? The Grand Magus is holding a banquet today. No outsiders allowed," one of them snapped.
"I'm here to see the Grand Magus," I said.
One of them sized me up and sneered.
"Got an invitation?" he asked.
"No."
I reached for my medallion, but he shoved me back.
"Then beat it. Today it's invitation-only. Doesn't matter who you think you are. Scram," he barked.
I was done being polite.
A flick of will sent both guards flying. They hit the ground unconscious before they could scream.
I strode into the courtyard.
Music and laughter spilled from the main hall. Glasses clinked, voices overlapped in cheerful chaos.
But I felt no trace of Gideon anywhere.
I followed the one familiar signature I did sense—Felicity's—and walked straight into the inner hall.
Everyone was gathered around a richly dressed little boy, showering him with birthday wishes.
"Happy birthday, young master!" everyone called out.
The child beamed, standing right beside Felicity.
The moment a stranger like me appeared, the room went dead quiet.
Every head turned. Curious stares, wary glances.
I ignored them all, faced Felicity, and gave a small, formal bow.
"Felicity," I said, flashing her a bright smile. "Your turn."
At the sound of my voice her whole body went rigid. The smile slid off her face.
She turned slowly, eyes wide, and whispered, "Dominic?"
"Yeah. It's me," I replied.
I managed a tight smile. "Didn't expect my first day back in the mortal world to land me right in the middle of a party."
Whispers erupted around us.
"Dominic Harrow? Is that really the Archmage who ascended to divinity three hundred years ago?" someone murmured.
"Gods above, what's he doing back in the mortal realm?"
Just then, the little boy barreled toward me and shoved me with all his might.
The boy yelled, "Get away from her, you jerk!"
His cheeks were puffed out with rage, eyes already brimming with tears.
"You ruined my birthday feast. I hate you!" he shouted.
I turned and fixed him with an icy stare.
He flinched, then darted behind Felicity, clutching at her robes and whimpering, "Mother…"
"This is your son?" I asked.
Felicity instinctively nodded as she held the boy close.
"Where's my brother?" My voice dropped, cold as winter steel. "I don't see him anywhere."
Right on cue, a deep voice boomed from the doorway. "Who dares cause trouble in the Empyrean Conclave?"
A man in the flowing robes of a Grand Magus strode in, every step radiating authority. Everyone in the hall immediately bowed low.
"Hail, Grand Magus!" they chorused.
I frowned at him. There wasn't the slightest trace of my brother's presence in this man.
"You're the Grand Magus?" I asked.
His eyes settled on me, clearly annoyed, and he gave a curt nod.
"That's right. I am Silas Blackthorn, current Grand Magus of the Empyrean Conclave. And you are?" he asked.
Felicity's voice shook as she spoke up. "Silas… this is Dominic Harrow."
A flicker crossed Silas's face, gone almost before it appeared.
He quickly composed himself and said loudly, "So it's the legendary Archmage Dominic.
"My apologies for not recognizing you sooner. My predecessor stepped down a century ago, saying he wished to wander the world and see its wonders."
He sounded utterly convinced, but the guilt in his eyes gave him away.
"No chance," I snapped. "My brother would never abandon the Conclave. This place is his home, his life's work.
"He has a wife here, a family. He'd never just walk away from all of it."
My arcane blade materialized in my hand and, in the blink of an eye, pressed against Silas's throat.
"Tell me the truth. Where is my brother?" I barked.
"Ah!" The boy let out a terrified shriek and threw himself at Silas. "Father!"
He wrapped his small arms around Silas's leg, then turned and pounded his tiny fists against my shin.
"Don't you hurt my dad, you big bully!" he shouted.
Father?
The word hit me like a thunderbolt. Everything clicked into place.
I turned a withering glare on Felicity. "Felicity, what the hell is going on here?
"You're supposed to be my brother's wife. How could you marry someone else and have a kid with him?
"You promised me you'd take care of him. Is this your idea of taking care?"
"Archmage Dominic, please!" the surrounding elders and acolytes cried out. "Show respect to the Grand Magus and his lady!"
Divine aura surged from me in a sudden wave, slamming the noisy crowd backward and pinning them against the walls.
In the next heartbeat, my sword was at Felicity's throat.
I bit out each word. "Felicity, why did you betray my brother? Where is he right now?"
She trembled violently.