Viktor felt his mouth drop in shock as Sister Aura giggled. “You’re a Seer?”

“Is that so surprising? Lots of people have heightened senses. It makes life interesting.”

It makes life hell for me. Seers are dangerous! Viktor looked at the spot the paper had been and tried to appear nonchalant. “So, that spell you just used didn’t belong to you? Why didn’t you start with that?”

Sister Aura shook her head. “Spells like that require a ton of mana. I can’t ask spirits to help me like some people. And it’s better to try the less costly methods first.”

“Spoken like a true merchant.”

“Thank you.”

That wasn’t a compliment. But Viktor kept his mouth shut as the air took on a pinkish hue and vibrated as if from countless wings flapping. I’ve never seen this spell before. Is it really going to be enough for her to see what happened? Viktor looked at Sister Aura, but the woman was staring at a nearby building.

Viktor assumed it was a house, given the lack of anything else to go on. And hissed as he saw a figure appear at the window. Did someone see us? He stepped forward to get a better look, but Sister Aura shouted. “Don’t move. The spell needs to stabilize.”

He froze obediently, eyes darting everywhere as more figures puffed into existence around them, frozen in scenes of bustling life… until they shimmered and shifted into what had to be their positions at night. The lone figure Viktor had seen was now floating in midair on its side near the window.

That window must lead to a bedroom. He fought the urge to try to find the place he and Nadia were that night and asked. “Why can’t we see what they look like?”

“We’d have to get close enough to touch them for that, and besides.” Sister Aura shivered as a pale purple and green mist swiftly enveloped the village. “We’re not looking for the villagers. Hurry, we need to find the source!”

So, that’s what Nadia’s power looks like. He wanted to call it beautiful. The mist covered everything, gently enfolding the figures without causing them to stir. It was a swift death Viktor didn’t need to be reminded of. He tried following the source of the mist, glad to hear Sister Aura was having a hard time finding the source… until the mist streamed in one direction.

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No! Viktor stepped forward, his heart pounding as the mist flew into the trees. Sister Aura climbed onto Sonne, kicking her heels as she urged the horse into a gallop. “Come on, Brother. We don’t have time to waste!”

“I know!” Viktor ran as fast as he could, but without the spirits, he could only go so fast. He was in the forest when he heard Sister Aura cry out. “Sister?”

Was she attacked? Viktor reached into his pocket and palmed one of the gems Father Gregor had given him and drew in some mana, strengthening his legs and making him reach a clearing he barely recognized. But knew what it was without needing to see the two figures representing him and Nadia.

Sister Aura had dismounted and stared at them in shock before turning to look at him with wide eyes. “Why?”

Why indeed? “What was the mist we followed?”

Sister Aura stepped closer to Sonne and frowned. “What?”

“The mist. It wasn’t mana. People with greater skills than ours would have sensed it. So, I’m asking what you think it is… and what it means.”

She shook her head and pulled a dagger out of her sleeve. “You’re a monster. You don’t deserve to be a cleric!”

“I don’t.” Viktor agreed, making no move to arm himself as she let her spell end. “But that’s not the point here.”

“Not the point? People are dead because of you and Nadia!”

“I know, and more will die if I don’t figure out what that mist was.” He stared at her, hoping she wouldn’t attack, but those hopes were quickly dashed as she swiped the air between them, making light burst through the air, knocking Viktor into a tree. He groaned but was given no time to move as the dagger was placed against his throat.

“You’re under arrest. You and that woman both. I”- Viktor surged up, knocking the dagger aside and grabbing her by the throat before slamming her into the ground. Sonne neighed and ran away, but Viktor didn’t look away from Sister Aura with cold eyes.

“That was foolish. You need to ensure your target can’t escape before running your mouth.”

“You mean like you”- She tried to stab him, but Viktor tightened his grip hard enough to hear something snap as she went limp.

“Yes. Just like me. Except I’m stronger than you. That’s why Father Lena wanted us to work together.” Sister Aura didn’t reply, though Viktor stayed by her side for several moments to make sure she wasn’t faking. I just killed a fellow… no. She was right. I no longer have the right to call myself that.

But he refused to call himself a necromancer. Viktor checked her pockets, taking anything that looked valuable before turning in the direction Sonne went. The mare hadn’t gone back to the ranch. And Viktor had other things to do before fetching Nadia.