The Seer Read Free Page B

propelled up the stairs by Phantasm, his angelic face
radiating a force of intent that was both mesmerising and terrifying to behold.
    ‘Oh no! 
Please stop trying to dress me like some toy Phantasm!  I really don’t appreciate it.’
    ‘Mistral.’ 
Phantasm spun her round to fix her with a flinty look.  ‘You are going to
have to dress appropriately now that you are the Ri’s Seer.’
    ‘I am dressed
appropriately!’
    Phantasm’s eyes
travelled over her ripped trousers and shirt in icy silence, ‘Those trousers
are so torn that they are hardly even decent anymore and – Mistral!  Are
you really wearing one of Mage De Winter’s shirts?’
    Mistral
shrugged and dropped her gaze, ‘Ran out of clean ones.’  She wasn’t about
to admit that she liked to wear Fabian’s shirts because they carried his scent.
    ‘Not
anymore.’  Phantasm said shortly and flung open the doors to his wardrobe
with a flourish.  ‘For the funeral tomorrow you have a choice,’ he ran a
hand lightly along the line of dresses hanging in front of him.
    ‘Just a clean
black shirt and some new trousers will be fine.’  Mistral said quickly,
eyeing the colourful array of dresses in trepidation.  ‘It’s just another
funeral.’
    Phantasm turned
on her, his green eyes blazing with anger, ‘No, it is not just another funeral
Mistral!  This is the Divinus’ funeral!’ 
    ‘Calm down
brother!’  Mistral said quickly, taken aback by his sudden anger.  ‘I
know it’s not going to be like one of the usual bonfires in the village square,
but I can’t really see the need to dress up just to hear Leo make his usual
boring speech before we have a few drinks in The Cloak!’
    ‘A few drinks
in The Cloak?’  Phantasm repeated incredulously.  ‘Mistral, this is a
state occasion!  The Divinus was two hundred and thirty five years
old!  He was influential in several major international treaties and was
held in high regard by all of the famous Mage families as well as the Arcane
tribes – and not just those who live on the Isle!  This funeral will be
attended by Mage delegates from the Isle and abroad, and probably all of the
Arcane chieftains as well!’
    Mistral pouted
moodily, ‘So?  It’s going to be busy!  But I don’t really think that
they’re going to be looking at what I’m wearing.’
    ‘Yes they
are!’  Phantasm hissed through clenched teeth.  ‘You are the Seer
now!  Of course they’re all going to be looking at you … and us! 
Until a new Divinus is elected, we are the Ri!’
    Mistral threw
him a disdainful look, ‘No we’re not!  You’ve got serious delusions of
grandeur Phantasm!  Mycroft has taken control of the Ri until a new
Divinus is elected.’
    ‘Master
Casterton couldn’t organise a drinking competition in The Cloak!’
 Phantasm snapped scornfully.  ‘He’s only been awarded the position
on a temporary basis to take the attention away from the real contenders. 
Until either Master Nox or Master Sphinx have their appointment confirmed by
the Council we are going to have to use our gifts to ensure that Master
Casterton doesn’t make too much of a mess!’
    ‘Again, I fail
to see how their pathetic power struggle will be helped by me appearing in a
selection of frilly gowns!’
    Phantasm gave
her a pained look, ‘Please credit me with some taste.’ 
    ‘Alright,
maybe not frilly.’  Mistral conceded grudgingly.  ‘But can’t I just
wear some new trousers?  Please?’ 
    ‘No.’
    ‘But … you
will be!’
    ‘Poor argument
Mistral, try again.’
    ‘But –’
    A loud
knocking on the door followed by the sound of Prospero barking joyously put an
end to their bickering.  Before the visitor even spoke Mistral’s face had
broken into a huge grin, she ran from the bedroom and flew down the
stairs.  ‘Fabian! ’  hurtling across the lounge she threw
herself into his arms, inhaling the scent of snow, cold air and his warm body
in a heady rush.
    ‘I wish I