The Clockwork Wolf Read Free Page B

the fine leather cushions as Connell climbed up and started off. Once the horses’ hooves were making sufficient noise I pulled down the window shades and closed my eyes before I spoke the only incantation I ever used.
    â€œHarry, we need to talk.”

C HAPTER T WO
    My breath whitened the air as the temperature of the interior abruptly plummeted. The shadows before me moved in strange patterns, lightening and solidifying as a man’s form took shape: a thinning mane of silver hair, a smart suit that had been fashionable some twenty years past, and two bright, dark eyes peering out from a narrow, clever old man’s face.
    The face lied, for he was not a man, but a spirit, and an immortal Aramanthan at that.
    The first time the elderly specter had materialized he’d told me that his name was Harry White, but that alias (like Harry Houdini and Ehrich Weiss) was just another of the many he’d used throughout time to conceal his true name: Merlin. Among other things, he could possess the bodies of mortals, which was how he’d sired my mother. While I had no intentions of calling Harry “Grandda,” to keep safe footing I’d made him my business partner. When taking on an associate, I reckoned, you could do much worse than the most powerful magician of all time.
    At present, Harry looked about with visible disapproval. “You had to summon me in his coach? What has the bastard done now, kidnapped you again?”
    Harry hated Dredmore, but then, Dredmore hatedhim. What I hated was not knowing the cause of all the hostility and drama between them. “Not that it’s any of your business, but I voluntarily accepted Lord Dredmore’s kind invitation to meet with one of his clients. She wishes to hire me.”
    â€œSounds so legitimate, too, doesn’t it? I’ll remind you of this kind invitation when he locks you up in his great tomb of a mansion to serve as his personal harem girl.” Harry looked quite satisfied. “Again.”
    â€œI didn’t call on you to discuss Lucien.” I sat back and rubbed my eyes. “Someone tried to kill me this morning by sending an animech with a bomb inside to my office.”
    â€œMust not have been a very good one.” Harry reached across and poked my arm. “You’re still among the living.”
    â€œPure daft luck, I assure you. My friend Docket said the device might have been made by a soldier. Which is odd, considering I’ve done nothing to annoy the militia. Unlike some occupants of this vehicle.” I folded my hands in my lap and gave him an expectant look.
    Harry hunched his shoulders. “I told you, Charm, I never actually spied for the Crown. I used the body of one of their spies to travel to Toriana to look after your mother and you. That’s all.”
    I leaned forward. “The point is, that bomb was sent to the office. Our office, Harry. Your name is on the door now, too.”
    â€œThat was your idea, not mine.” He sniffed. “You shouldn’t have used my true name anyway. Now all my enemies know we’re partners.” He frowned. “Did you find that cat at the cobbler’s I told you about last night?”
    â€œYes. I found the cat.” Getting my grandfather tofocus on the problem at hand was like trying to herd a dozen rabbits in an open field scattered with carrots. “What have you been doing that you haven’t told me?”
    â€œOh, this and that.” He avoided my gaze by examining the state of his cuffs. “I spend most of my time in the Netherside, as well you know. It would be much more convenient if you were to find a body for me to occupy.”
    â€œLet’s be clear on something, old man,” I said. “I am your granddaughter, your business partner, and, I suspect, the only friend you have left on the planet. What I will never be is your personal body snatcher.”
    â€œCalm yourself, gel.” He sighed.