Old Men & Caution.

Jean sighed and shook her head, holding up the comb triumphantly. "I got what we needed."

Lucius snorted, amused. "Why did you bring the entire comb? Were you planning to steal her hair forever?"

"Shut up," Jean snapped, her cheeks warming with embarrassment as she walked to her desk. She carefully laid the comb down, her fingers steady despite her nerves.

Lucius didn't stop teasing. "Did you tell her why you were so fascinated with her hair? Or did you play the loyal maid card?"

Jean glared in the general direction of his voice. "I said shut up." She pulled out the book they had been working on, its weathered leather cover etched with ancient symbols that shimmered faintly. 

She placed the strand of Salviana's hair on the book's center and recited the spell they had rehearsed earlier.