Key Of Valor Read Free Page A

anything.”
    â€œMom.”
    â€œI’m nervous. Give me a break.” She drove slowly toward the entrance. “But, really, don’t touch anything in there.”
    She stopped the car, and hoped she wasn’t the first, or the last, to arrive, then took out a lipstick to replace what she’d worried off since leaving home. Automatically, she flicked her fingers over the ruler-straight ends of the hair she now wore shorter than her son’s.
    â€œYou look good, okay? Can we go?”
    â€œI want us to look great.” She caught his chin in her hand, and used the comb she’d plucked out of her purse to tidy his hair while he crossed his eyes at her. “If you don’t like what they give us for dinner, just pretend to eat it, but don’t say you don’t like it, or make those gagging noises. I’ll fix you something else when we get home.”
    â€œCan we go by McDonald’s?”
    â€œWe’ll see. We’re fine. We’re great. Okay.” She dropped the comb back in her purse and started to open the car door.
    The old man who greeted guests and took care of theircars was there to do it for her. He always made her jump. “Oh. Thank you.”
    â€œMy pleasure, Miss. Good evening to you.”
    Simon gave him a long study. “Hi.”
    â€œHello, young master.”
    Liking the title, Simon grinned at him and walked closer. “Are you one of the magic people?”
    The creases in the old face deepened and shifted into a broad smile. “It might be I am. What would you think of that?”
    â€œSweet. But how come you’re so old?”
    â€œSimon.”
    â€œIt’s a good question, Miss,” he said in response to Zoe’s horrified hiss. “I’m so old because I’ve had the pleasure of living a long time. I wish you the same pleasure.” He leaned down with a creak of bones until his face was level with Simon’s. “Would you like to know a true thing?”
    â€œOkay.”
    â€œWe’re all of us magic people, but some know it and some don’t.”
    He straightened again. “I’ll see to your car, Miss. Have a nice evening.”
    â€œThank you.” She took Simon’s hand and walked to the portico and the twin entrance doors. They opened before she could knock, and there was Rowena.
    Her flame-tipped hair tumbled gloriously over the shoulders of a long dress the green of forest shadows. A silver pendant hung between her breasts, its clear center stone winking in the sparkling light of the entrance hall.
    As always, her beauty was a quick shock, like an electric jolt.
    She held out a hand in welcome to Zoe, but her eyes—a bolder, richer green than her gown—were all for Simon.
    â€œWelcome.” There was a lilt to her voice, echoing those of the foreign lands Zoe had once longed to see. “It’s goodto see you again. And such a pleasure to meet you, Simon, at last.”
    â€œSimon, this is Miss Rowena.”
    â€œJust Rowena, please, for I hope we’ll be friends. Come in, won’t you?” She kept Zoe’s hand in hers, and touched the other to Simon’s shoulder.
    â€œI hope we’re not late.”
    â€œNo, not at all.” Rowena stepped back, leading the way over the tile floor with its colorful mosaics. “Most of the others are here, but Malory and Flynn haven’t yet arrived. We’re in the parlor. Tell me, Simon, do you like calf’s liver and brussels sprouts?”
    He made gagging noises before he remembered his mother’s order, but even as he caught himself Zoe was flushing. And Rowena’s laugh flowed around them. “Since I feel exactly the same, it’s fortunate they’re not on the menu tonight. Our latest arrivals,” she announced as she stepped into the parlor. “Pitte, come meet young Master McCourt.”
    Simon slid his gaze up to his mother, nudged her with his elbow.