Riston said. “We’re still not sure how.”
I
picked up both books and considered the available space in my jerkin. There
wasn’t as much room as I would have liked. “I’d like to see him try tacking me
to the ceiling,” I muttered.
Vegard’s
chuckle was downright evil. “I want to see him try.”
Nelek
came back in record time, but he wasn’t alone. The two assistants who had
brought the books stood behind him.
“We’re
here for the books, ma’am,” he said, brisk and professional. Then he gave me a
quick wink. “Marten and Cecil, if you would take the history volumes, I’ll take
care of the other two.”
After
the assistants collected the two goblin histories, Nelek held out his hand. I
hesitated and then gave him the journals, never taking my eyes from his. He got
the message loud and clear. If he tried to go anywhere with those books other
than the front desk, I was going to tackle him.
“The
chief librarian requested that I escort you to the front desk,” Nelek said,
watching the two librarians walk around the corner and into the stacks. His
mouth curled in a tiny, conspiratorial smile. “If you’ll follow me, we’ll take
care of your request.”
Vegard
and I traded a look. You gotta love friends in high places.
A
tall figure stepped out of the stacks, blocking our way.
His
hair was the color of winter frost, eyes the pale blue of arctic ice, an
alabaster complexion, a cold, sharp beauty. Pure-blooded high elf. His black
and silver robes were understated and elegant, and clearly cost a small
fortune.
Nelek
instinctively clutched the books to his chest. “Magus Silvanus, always a
pleasure to see you.” The librarian didn’t sound pleased in the least; he
sounded terrified.
So
this was Carnades Silvanus, senior mage on the Seat of Twelve, Ailia Aurillac’s
faculty advisor, and parental brownnoser.
I
sensed Vegard and Riston come to reluctant attention behind me. They had to.
The Guardians’ main duty was the protection of the archmagus and the mages of
the Seat of Twelve.
Silvanus
was as tall as Mychael, which put the top of my head level with his jaw. He
looked down on me—in more ways than one. I’ve always made it a point not to
dislike someone on first sight, but I was willing to make an exception for this
one. Gleaming against the black silk of his robes, a mirrored disk dangled at
the end of a silver chain. A high elf and a mirror mage—no wonder I
didn’t like him.
“You
must be Raine Benares, the seeker we’ve heard so much about.” Silvanus smiled,
revealing perfect teeth. The smile was as fake as the charm he tried to put
into his voice. “I’m Carnades Silvanus.”
He
extended his hand for mine, palm up, his long fingers slightly curled. He was going
for a hand kiss, not a handshake. I was brought up to believe that it’s rude
not to shake someone’s hand. I was also brought up to trust my instincts. The
touch of a hand was all it took for some mages to assess another’s magical
strengths or weaknesses. I didn’t want Carnades Silvanus knowing either of
mine.
I
inclined my head; I tried for gracious. “Magus Silvanus.”
He
left his hand out a moment longer, then slowly lowered it, never taking those
arctic eyes from mine. “I understand you’re assisting the city watch in their
investigation of Ailia Aurillac’s disappearance.”
“I
understand it’s a kidnapping.”
“So
it appears. Have you made any progress in your investigation?” he asked
politely.
“The
paladin and chief watcher are aware of my findings. Since the investigation is
ongoing, I can’t discuss them publicly.”
His
smile was back. “But you are a private consultant— and I’m hardly the public.”
“The
paladin or chief watcher will have to determine who knows my findings.” I tried
a fake smile of my own. “That decision’s not mine to make. I’m only a
consultant on this case and a guest on this island.”
“My
apologies, Mistress Benares. I meant no offense. I
I
picked up both books and considered the available space in my jerkin. There
wasn’t as much room as I would have liked. “I’d like to see him try tacking me
to the ceiling,” I muttered.
Vegard’s
chuckle was downright evil. “I want to see him try.”
Nelek
came back in record time, but he wasn’t alone. The two assistants who had
brought the books stood behind him.
“We’re
here for the books, ma’am,” he said, brisk and professional. Then he gave me a
quick wink. “Marten and Cecil, if you would take the history volumes, I’ll take
care of the other two.”
After
the assistants collected the two goblin histories, Nelek held out his hand. I
hesitated and then gave him the journals, never taking my eyes from his. He got
the message loud and clear. If he tried to go anywhere with those books other
than the front desk, I was going to tackle him.
“The
chief librarian requested that I escort you to the front desk,” Nelek said,
watching the two librarians walk around the corner and into the stacks. His
mouth curled in a tiny, conspiratorial smile. “If you’ll follow me, we’ll take
care of your request.”
Vegard
and I traded a look. You gotta love friends in high places.
A
tall figure stepped out of the stacks, blocking our way.
His
hair was the color of winter frost, eyes the pale blue of arctic ice, an
alabaster complexion, a cold, sharp beauty. Pure-blooded high elf. His black
and silver robes were understated and elegant, and clearly cost a small
fortune.
Nelek
instinctively clutched the books to his chest. “Magus Silvanus, always a
pleasure to see you.” The librarian didn’t sound pleased in the least; he
sounded terrified.
So
this was Carnades Silvanus, senior mage on the Seat of Twelve, Ailia Aurillac’s
faculty advisor, and parental brownnoser.
I
sensed Vegard and Riston come to reluctant attention behind me. They had to.
The Guardians’ main duty was the protection of the archmagus and the mages of
the Seat of Twelve.
Silvanus
was as tall as Mychael, which put the top of my head level with his jaw. He
looked down on me—in more ways than one. I’ve always made it a point not to
dislike someone on first sight, but I was willing to make an exception for this
one. Gleaming against the black silk of his robes, a mirrored disk dangled at
the end of a silver chain. A high elf and a mirror mage—no wonder I
didn’t like him.
“You
must be Raine Benares, the seeker we’ve heard so much about.” Silvanus smiled,
revealing perfect teeth. The smile was as fake as the charm he tried to put
into his voice. “I’m Carnades Silvanus.”
He
extended his hand for mine, palm up, his long fingers slightly curled. He was going
for a hand kiss, not a handshake. I was brought up to believe that it’s rude
not to shake someone’s hand. I was also brought up to trust my instincts. The
touch of a hand was all it took for some mages to assess another’s magical
strengths or weaknesses. I didn’t want Carnades Silvanus knowing either of
mine.
I
inclined my head; I tried for gracious. “Magus Silvanus.”
He
left his hand out a moment longer, then slowly lowered it, never taking those
arctic eyes from mine. “I understand you’re assisting the city watch in their
investigation of Ailia Aurillac’s disappearance.”
“I
understand it’s a kidnapping.”
“So
it appears. Have you made any progress in your investigation?” he asked
politely.
“The
paladin and chief watcher are aware of my findings. Since the investigation is
ongoing, I can’t discuss them publicly.”
His
smile was back. “But you are a private consultant— and I’m hardly the public.”
“The
paladin or chief watcher will have to determine who knows my findings.” I tried
a fake smile of my own. “That decision’s not mine to make. I’m only a
consultant on this case and a guest on this island.”
“My
apologies, Mistress Benares. I meant no offense. I
Similar Books
