Free The Iron Witch by Karen Mahoney Page A

from bubbling up inside her. Her heart felt lighter and, for the first time that day, the shadow of worry began to melt into the background.
    They texted back and forth, arranging a meeting at the center of Ironbridge Common at four thirty the next day, which was the earliest Donna thought she could make it after her classes with Alma Kensington. She wouldn’t even have to tell Aunt Paige where she was going, since she often met Navin after school and rarely went straight home from the Frost Estate.
    Staring at her cell phone, Donna wondered how she was going to be able to concentrate between now and then.
    “Donna!” Aunt Paige called. “I thought you were coming downstairs. I’ve made the tea … ”
    Donna jumped guiltily off the bed. “Coming!”
    She was suddenly nervous about spending time with her aunt; she’d never been good at hiding things from her. She tried to put all thoughts of Xan and Navin, and especially Maker, out of her mind. But … she felt sure the old alchemist was up to something. The most disturbing thing about all of it was that Maker hadn’t even seemed phased about hiding a dark elf in his workshop. It was almost as though it had been normal . And the word “experiment” set all sorts of alarm bells ringing.
    Shaking her head, Donna shoved her feet into fluffy slippers and ran downstairs to see her aunt.

    “Tonight?” Donna gasped.
    Aunt Paige pursed her lips and ran a hand through her dark hair. “It’s only once a month. I don’t think I ask much of you, Donna.” She was using the no-nonsense tone that was an all too familiar feature of her strong personality.
    “I really can’t go, not tonight.” The monthly dinners with the alchemists were something Donna was resenting more and more with each passing year. It was like being indoctrinated into something. If there was one thing she hated above all else, it was not being given a choice —a regular feature of the life she’d been born into.
    Aunt Paige held her gaze, glancing away only to fold up the cuffs of her soft red sweater. Her casual clothes today made her look only slightly less intimidating; a tall woman, Paige Underwood usually lived in fitted charcoal trouser-suits. She was Donna’s father’s sister, three years younger than him, and was very well regarded among the alchemists. The Order had thrown a big party for her on her fortieth birthday, with a dizzying array of members from other Orders in attendance. Quentin Frost had turned his estate into the perfect high-class venue: there had been a marquee, beautiful catering, and even a live band.
    Of course, Donna would rather have celebrated her aunt’s birthday in a quieter way, but Quentin wouldn’t hear of it. Not for one of the Order’s “Moon Sisters”—an ancient name for female alchemists that Donna had always found amusing. Apparently it was a title she herself could look forward to if she followed in her parents’ footsteps and became a full initiate when she was eighteen. It wasn’t something she liked to think about, because it wasn’t something she wanted to do . She just hadn’t gotten around to telling anybody that. And she wasn’t entirely sure that they would even listen to her if she did.
    Aunt Paige’s face was lined with tension, as always. She worked full-time in the offices of the Mayor of Ironbridge, and by all accounts he was a hard taskmaster. But Paige thrived on the workload, and Donna knew that the real reason she worked there was so she could keep the Order informed of any relevant insider political information. It wasn’t unusual for alchemists to be situated in high places; centuries ago, in countries like Great Britain, it was thought that some alchemists were royal spies.
    When Donna didn’t offer any further information, Aunt Paige crossed her arms. “And why is it that you can’t come with me tonight? Do you have plans with Navin?” The unspoken word “again” hung in the air between them.
    “No, it’s just