Chapter 70

"I'll do it."

At last, Hendricks gave his answer.

Foolish Hendricks, accepting a contract he'd spend years regretting afterward.

"Just a moment. You're not signing there yet."

I rummaged through my magic pouch. Hendricks wore an expression of unbearable curiosity, dying to know what I'd pull out this time.

I set down, in front of him, the kind of contract mages used when signing agreements. The contract, written on magic parchment, had a blank space for a notary's name.

I waved the contract back and forth and laid it on the table.

"You're even getting it magically notarized?"

Hendricks asked, brow furrowed.

"Just to make sure trust is airtight, yes, magical notarization too. The term is exactly eleven years. No matter what happens, you work in Helsinkin, for Helsinkin."

Since he'd spent ten years studying fourth-circle magic before running off, I'd set the contract length at eleven.

Ten years he…