He’d asked Grey once: “So if this is the Unseen World, why is it so small?”
“What?” Grey looked blank.
“I mean, it’s just a bunch of people from the city. All of you live in the same few blocks, pretty much, and I’m the only new guy since I don’t know how long. Aren’t there other magicians anywhere?”
“Sure. But this is how we do things here, and since we’re here, this is what matters.”
It had been an unsatisfying answer at fifteen and had grown even more so in the years since.
“My home away from home,” Merlin said. “I’d be delighted to put you up for membership at the end of the Turning.”
“If I’m ranked high enough to be able to establish a House,” Laurent said. “There’s still a lot that could happen.”
“Even this early, it seems an outcome worth betting on. That girl you hired is quite something. I’ll bet she’s fun to work with.”
“Sydney is an extremely gifted magician, yes.”
“Of course, of course. I didn’t mean to imply anything untoward,” Merlin said, in a voice that suggested that was precisely what he had meant to imply and that he was a bit surprised Laurent had caught on. “Obviously, you’re to be commended for finding her. That’s the kind of strategic thinking I like to see, knowing who to hire to get things done. We could use more of that sort of thinking among the Houses. Too many traditionalists who think there’s only one way to go about things.”
“I hadn’t realized hiring a champion was so novel. House Prospero does the same. Other Houses as well,” Laurent said.
“Well, yes, but no one knows where your girl came from.” Merlin leaned forward just the slightest bit, in anticipation of being offered a secret. “There are so many rumors.”
“No one knew where I came from either. It’s worked out okay for me so far,” Laurent said.
Merlin smiled and nodded, a politician performing approval. “That’s certainly true. Though, really, where did you find her? Is she also an outsider? Did you know her in your mundane life?”
“She answered an online posting.”
Merlin barked out a laugh. “No. Really?”
“As you pointed out, I’m new here. Not a traditionalist. I issued an open call, and I liked her response.”
“Really. And you hired her just like that?” Merlin asked. “Without knowing anything else?”
“I didn’t need to know anything else. What I did know is she did the most powerful piece of magic I’ve ever seen for her audition spell and didn’t even break a sweat doing it.”
“Well, I’m just sorry I didn’t find her first. Another drink?”
Laurent looked deliberately at his still-full glass and stood up. “I’m afraid I have a social engagement this evening. But thank you again. I do feel this was a very useful meeting.”
“Likewise. We should do this again—maybe even with Sydney next time. If she’s going to be part of this world, I ought to get to know her.” Merlin’s practiced smile didn’t quite reach his eyes.
“I’ll be sure to pass that along.” He didn’t bother with the smile. Whatever this meeting had been, it hadn’t been about making an alliance.
As he left the room, Laurent texted Sydney, to let her know of Merlin’s interest.
His phone lit with her response: Good.
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They met in a park, both in peacoats, scarves wrapped around their necks against the oncoming winter. Ian arrived first, then Lara joined him on the opposite side of the chessboard. “I’m glad you finally decided to say hello,” she said. “I’d begun to think you’d turned your back on your entire family.”
“You still live at the House. It’s not like I was going to stop by for dinner.”
“Yes, but as you see, it’s quite possible for us to meet other places. I am your sister, Ian. I’m your family.”
“Family,” he said, “is precisely why I left.”
“And it’s why I stayed. Fine. Let’s not have that fight again. Lovely to see you. So glad you’re back. Now, are we going to play or just talk?”
“To play.” Ian moved a white pawn to open the game, then hit the timer.
“Dad’s convinced you’ll be sorry. That you’ll apologize and come back and be a Merlin again,” Lara said. She was bird-boned and sharp-eyed, a raptor with short, Ziggy Stardust–red hair. She made her move and hit the timer. “Or, better still, that you’ll feel bad enough about your—how did he put it? Oh, yes—your gross betrayal of House and family, that you’ll make up for it by sabotaging Prospero from the inside, preferably during a challenge.”
“I’m not sorry for leaving, and I don’t plan to do any of that. I made a choice. One our House should have made a long time ago.” Ian’s hand hesitated over a pawn, then moved to a knight.
“He named me champion. Heir for now as well, though I suspect if you do as you’re told he’ll bump me right out of that. He told me all this over omelets. Ham and Gruyère. Quite good, really. Dad has his issues, but he can cook. I am, of course, honored by the opportunity to represent the House. Which is good, as I wasn’t given a choice in the matter. Also, if you do that, I’ll have you in check in three moves.”
“I haven’t beaten you at chess since you were nine, Lara. It’s not like I think today’s going to be my lucky day.” He knocked over a rook. It shattered into words on the board.
Magic is failing.
Lara’s hand paused, but only for a moment, before tipping a pawn.
Dad’s fault?
And that was the crux of it: Because of their family’s connection to the House of Shadows, because of Miles’ connection in particular, it could be. It was House Merlin that maintained the spell. A knight cracked and dissolved.
Not sure. Ideas?
She moved her bishop. Another pawn disappeared from the board.
No. Will watch.
“Our House—” Ian began. “If this is Dad’s fault, if that gets out, House Merlin will be unmade. Your magic could be stripped, Lara.”
“I’m aware.” No change in her expression.
“I’m just saying, maybe you ought to consider whether he’s worth your loyalty.” A castle melted into words.
Be careful.
“He’s going to ask me to kill you, you know.” Lara looked straight at Ian. “During a challenge. And I may well be better at chess, but I also know which one of us is better at magic. So maybe you ought to consider your loyalties, too.”
Ian’s glance flicked down to the chessboard, but no secret letters spelled out an alternate message.
“Because that is what he’ll make it come down to, Ian: Betray your principles or murder your sister. You forget—Dad’s even better at chess than I am.” Lara reached out and tipped over his king.
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