Mallory took the ring from Emica, also taking the seven silver pieces Jorgen gave her. “Thanks.”
Jorgen pointed to the drawstring bag. “You might want to have a look inside that.”
“Why?” She asked the question as she opened the bag, having slipped the ring and coins into her belt pouch. She frowned when she tipped out a vial of red liquid and a lock of hair.
“That’s what I thought.” Jorgen took the vial and lock of hair. He threw the hair into the fire, then poured the liquid in, the smell of burning hair and blood filling the air. “That mage was going to make a poppet. It wouldn’t surprise me if the mage had been a member of the dark forces.”
“I wonder if they all were.” Mallory picked up the rag doll. “Are you certain it’s not a poppet?”
Jorgen nodded. “I’ll clean out the vial, then
