The Royal Sorceress by Christopher Nuttall Page B

person can break Charm if they realise what is happening to them, but if the effect is subtle they literally never realise what is happening to them.”
    Gwen scowled, inwardly. She knew what happened when a Charmer came into his or her powers, because Charm had been the first talent she’d used. The young Gwen hadn’t had the slightest idea of what she was or what she could do – and the effects had been staggeringly bad, bad enough to ensure that rumours continued to swirl around her even as a teenager. Master Thomas had used brute force to demonstrate Charm, yet she knew that that was far from the most dangerous form, even without Doctor Norwell’s lecture. She’d proved it herself as a child.
    She glanced over at Lord Blackburn as he sat on the opposite chair, staring at her. He was unmarried, Gwen knew, but he didn’t seem to be sizing her up as a possible bride, not like some of the other students. His gaze made her feel as if she was an insect trapped under a glass, unable to avoid his stare – or to resist him when she was finally pinned down and placed in a box. There was nothing, but coldness in his eyes, a coldness that sent chills down her spine. Lord Blackburn was a very dangerous person, even without a peerage that linked him to the highest families in the land.
    “Charm is also the most feared of all the talents,” Doctor Norwell continued. “The Houses of Parliament have passed strong laws against its use, with a number of cases being brought to the Old Bailey. However, proving the use of Charm – particularly subtle Charm – is extremely difficult. As always, it is hard to prove what a magician is capable of doing without actually witnessing them using magic.”
    “And that concludes the lecture,” Lord Blackburn said. His voice was cold, almost dispassionate. He took an interest in politics, Gwen recalled suddenly. It might be worth writing to her mother and asking for a briefing on his life and prospects. Her mother knew everyone who was anyone, or who thought they were. “We will now proceed to the practical part of the lesson. You may leave us.”
    Doctor Norwell scowled at him, but accepted his dismissal without comment. “Master Thomas wishes to see you after this part of the lesson,” he told Gwen, as he picked up his case of papers and headed to the door. “You will report to him before lunch.”
    “Yes, sir,” Gwen said, automatically. Doctor Norwell wasn’t usually so rude. Lord Blackburn had definitely put him out of sorts. The door closed behind him with an audible thump and she turned to look up at Blackburn. His face was expressionless, but there was something in his eye that made her fear being alone with him. She couldn’t have put it into words, apart from a desire to run for her life.
    “Charm requires dedication and focus on the part of the magician,” Lord Blackburn said, flatly. His eyes had never left her face. “To reveal that one is using one’s Charm is to lose an advantage. The human mind does not take well to having suggestions pushed into it by a Charmer. Even the weakest of souls will fight Charm if they are aware that it is being used on them. And pushing too hard can break their minds.”
    His gaze fixed on her eyes. “Why don’t you stand up and take off your dress?”
    Gwen was on her feet and unbuttoning her dress before her mind caught up with him. He’d used his Charm on her…and done it so subtly that she hadn’t even realised what was happening, even though he’d spoken his outrageous orders out loud. Her mind hadn’t registered them properly…even though she knew what had happened it was still hard to force her treacherous fingers to stop. She buttoned up her dress, sat down and glared at him. The force of her glare made absolutely no impression on him at all.
    “You realised that something was wrong,” he said. “Had I suggested something a little less...unpleasant, you would probably not have noticed until it was far too late. A