The private study in Marcus's lodgings looked like the headquarters of a rebellion run by madmen.
Maps of the capital city covered the floor.
Parchment scrolls were taped to the walls with generous amounts of wax.
Charcoal sticks, half-eaten sandwiches, and cups of cold tea cluttered every flat surface.
Marcus stood in the center of the chaos. He held a piece of charcoal like a conductor's baton.
"We need to attack the root of the problem," Marcus said. He pointed to a large sheet of paper pinned to the heavy oak bookshelf.
It was labeled TARGET: SERAPHINA.
"Professor Ashwood values competence and emotional stability," Marcus explained.
He drew a line connecting her name to Theo's. "She needs to see Theo not just as a student, but as a rock. A dependable figure."
Damien sat cross-legged on the floor. He was surrounded by his own notes.
He looked up, chewing on the end of a quill.
"In the novel, she fell for him after he saved her from a mana overload," Damien countered.
