Blood Debts (The Temple Chronicles Book 2) by Shayne Silvers

answer. I’m interested to see what happens if you use up all your power between now and then. Logic leads me to believe that if you use up your magic, it will be gone for good, but of course we have yet to test it out. Regardless, the longer the curse rests on your shoulders, the higher the risk that the power loss will be permanent. This is fitting, as the extra magic you briefly wielded was not truly yours, and could have only been granted through black magic or Demon-craft.” His smile mocked my fear. Was this really happening? What was I without my magic? Who was I if not a wizard?
    I was about to find out.
    “The only way we will remove the spell is if you comply. Or beg Gavin’s aid. It most likely won’t replace what was already taken, but will halt the continuous of deterioration of your magic. Again, all we demand is your compliance — your pledge to serve the Academy, and access to the Armory. It’s past time for renegade wizards to do as they please unchecked. I think we are done here, unless you have something to add?” He asked with a leering grin. The other Justices looked troubled, but resolute. This was all they knew. They didn’t know me. They knew their indoctrination into the Academy, and wholeheartedly believed the creed enforced upon them from such a young age. This was why my parents hadn’t let me train at the Academy. At least Gavin looked uncomfortable. That was a plus, right?
    One fear plagued my thoughts. “How am I supposed to rid my city of Demons if my power is waning and you aren’t helping? You told me I should have asked you for help a few months ago, well, now I’m asking.”
    Jafar looked at me with the cold eyes of a bureaucrat. “Of course… right after you give us what does not belong to you. Or when you come crawling back to us in three days, powerless. It’s up to you. In the mean time, Gavin will be there to make sure you break no further laws. Despite his insolence earlier, he’s a firm believer in order and justice. He’s a tough task master.”
    I growled under my breath. “I’ll figure it out on my own then. Like I usually do. You know, this is the kind of action that makes wizards rebel.” The words hit me as doubly true after my conversation with Hemingway at the bar. He sympathized with the Fallen Angels… sort of.
    With a rustle of fabric, everyone disappeared except Gavin and I. “So, this blows.” I muttered. Gavin stared at me through the mask that resembled a frowning face, offering nothing. “Are you not allowed to talk to the criminal?” I asked him.
    He cocked his head slightly, and then tore his mask away. It disappeared in a puff of vapor. Huh. Fairy make? “My job is to make sure you don’t break the law. We aren’t friends. I’m not here to help you, but to watch you. To make sure you don’t cross any more lines. I’m not saying that I agree with the Captain, but I also don’t believe that what you did was right.” I simply stared at him, curious. Silence brought on the best answers, I had found, so I waited. “Order is important. Laws are in place to keep the greater good safe.” He said vehemently.
    “I guess the greater good doesn’t include Regulars then.” I said softly, watching his face. He looked torn.
    “Apparently not.” He answered with a sigh. “Look. The current system is broken. I agree, but without a system we are animals. Something is better than nothing. What can we do?” He asked with a helpless frown. “You want to find your parents’ murderer. I understand. I won’t stop you. But let’s get one thing clear. I won’t let you hurt anyone in your effort to do so. Jafar was right. You caused a lot of trouble with the dragons. The Academy should have helped you. But even though they didn’t, it didn’t give you the right to take the law into your own hands. If all it takes is an ideal and the power to enforce it, how is a vigilante any different than a criminal?” He asked me with all the passion of