The Unmage Read Free Page B

“It’s probable that he cursed Santos.”
    “I don’t care,” Arabella replied. “As I told Timo, if he did, he would have had good reason to. You are not to tell him anything.” She was fairly certain that Valerio had cursed Santos—she was only sorry that the old Mage was no longer mad. What had that witch she’d given birth to done to him?
    “All right,” Rorik agreed. “But surely he can see the records now. Santos was right about that—six years is far too long to keep the boy away from them.”
    “No! I forbid it.”
    “He is my Apprentice,” Rorik replied. “I am the one who decides on his training.”
    “But he is my son.” Arabella stared at Rorik until he looked away. She smoothed her hands along her skirt. “Now. We must not tell anyone about our meeting. No one must find out that Santos is no longer insane.” She wished she’d known just how lucid the man was and had come prepared with her own spells to use on him. She would never again get close enough to him to curse him. Although . . . would the woman have seen any spell she’d cast? That was what she’d claimed: she could see spells and determine their intent. Once Timo was her Journeyman, she would see if he had some of the same talents. But not until then. She did not want Rorik to control her son’s other abilities. They would be hers to use—and she would.
    “It is not in my best interests to tell,” Rorik assured her.
    “Not if you want to remain Primus,” Arabella agreed. “Make sure Timo doesn’t mention this to anyone. Can you at least do that? We can’t have anyone on council insisting Santos take up his duties.”
    “Timo has no friends to tell,” Rorik replied. “Besides, telling would not be in his best interests either.”
    “How do you mean?”
    “If I’m no longer Primus then you’re no longer Secundus. Any protection he has because of that, he will lose.” Rorik paused. “Although he would be Apprentice to the Secundus—me.”
    Arabella pasted a smile on her face and pretended that Rorik hadn’t just threatened her. But it was true. If Santos was to resume his responsibilities as Primus, then Rorik would become Secundus. And she would become just another council member—unprotected and vulnerable to attack. She and Rorik would have to make sure that never happened.
     
    KARA STUDIED THE mage lights that dotted the underside of Mage Guild Island and shivered. She knew the island wouldn’t fall on her, knew that it had been kept aloft for years—decades—by the myriad spells that wisped around it, but she still felt in danger. The small boat parted the water silently, as silently as Kara parted the mage mist that swirled around.
    “They haven’t sent any spells after us,” Kara said, turning around to face Reo and Santos.
    Reo nodded before he resumed scanning the small docks they passed. He wouldn’t ease off until they were on Old Rillidi, back behind their barriers—both magical and non-magical. Even then she knew he wouldn’t feel completely safe. A result of his early training, he’d told her years ago. A relaxed Assassin was a dead Assassin and he had too much to lose now that he had her and their children.
    “I didn’t expect it,” Santos said. “But it’s better to be sure.” He flung his right hand out and grass green mist surrounded the small boat. Santos turned to face her.
    “He looks like you,” the old man said.
    “Do you think so?” Kara asked. “I thought he looked like Arabella.”
    “Yes,” Santos replied. “And so do you.”
    “Already fourteen and I only now get to meet him,” Kara said. “I hate her for that.”
    “Only for that?” Reo asked. “She tried to hire me to kill you, and when I refused, she tried to kill us both, and you hate her for keeping you from your brother?”
    Kara sighed. She’d made her peace with her mother’s actions years ago, although Reo never would. She’d tried to explain to him that she’d expected nothing other than