Free A Shadow Bright and Burning by Jessica Cluess

lovely,” he said, looking me up and down. My face warmed at the compliment.
    “Thank you,” I said. Magnus snorted. “Are you getting on all right?”
    “Certainly better than Brimthorn, isn’t it?” He hadn’t answered the question. “What’s happened upstairs?”
    “The Imperator agreed to my training. Master Agrippa wants to take me to the queen for commendation. Can you believe it?” My smile stretched wider with every word I spoke.
    “You’ll be the greatest sorcerer of the age.” Rook didn’t sound nearly as excited as I’d hoped he would be.
    “Oh, will she?” Magnus said, studying his fingernails. “Where does that leave me? Handsomest sorcerer of the age? I’m more than just a pretty face, you know.”
    “I meant no offense, sir,” Rook said.
    I didn’t like him calling Magnus “sir.” “Why don’t you stand by the door outside, Mr. Magnus? I’ll be finished soon,” I said firmly.
    “Ah, I only meant to tease. If there’s one thing Miss Howel loves, it’s a bit of teasing.” He clapped Rook hard on the shoulder. “I’ve noticed that already, upon such a short acquaintance. But you knew that, surely? You being so close.” Rook gently but firmly took himself out of the other fellow’s grip.
    “I’ve noticed much, sir,” he said. There was a coldness in his look that I hadn’t seen before.
    “So have I. Well, I shall wait to escort you back upstairs, Miss Howel.” He left with a bow. What a tiresome young man.
    Rook nodded toward the door after Magnus had gone. “He seems to like you.”
    “Sadly, that feeling is not mutual.” I spoke a bit louder than necessary. Around the corner, I heard a laugh.
    “It’s good to see you with others of your rank,” he said. Lord, not this again. “Don’t argue—you know it’s true. Magic sorts, Nettie. You belong in their world now.”
    “You make it all sound so formal,” I said, letting my irritation show.
    Before we could continue this discussion, Lilly appeared and cleared her throat in the doorway. She fidgeted with her apron.
    “What is it?” I smiled.
    “Rook, you must help. There’s trouble outside with Master Palehook’s carriage,” she said, sounding rather breathless. Rook nodded by way of thanks. Lilly made a strange sound and accidentally banged against the doorframe on the way out. Apparently Rook had an admirer. I shifted uncomfortably.
    “I’m glad he’s going,” Rook said. “He asked the most peculiar questions.”
    “Who? Master Palehook?” A chill walked down my spine.
    “That thin one, yes. He was very interested in me.”
    “What did he ask you?” I murmured, deep in thought.
    “Where’d I come by my scars, did they hurt, did I ever feel urges to run away or do things I couldn’t control.” Rook frowned. “I don’t like him, Nettie.”
    “I don’t like him, either.”
    “Don’t let him near you more than necessary.”
    “I can’t exactly order him about, can I?”
    “Oh, I don’t know. You handled the young gentleman nicely,” he said, mimicking Magnus with an exaggerated bow. I laughed. Once Rook had gone, I turned the corner to find Magnus leaning against the wall, waiting for me.
    “I am here to spirit you back upstairs. Don’t swoon,” he said.
    “I’ll try not to.” I rolled my eyes and brushed past him. Emerging into the foyer, we found servants dimming the lamps. Everyone else had gone to bed.
    “Well,” he said as we climbed the stairs, “congratulations. You’ve survived your first dinner with bloody Master Palehook. An Incumbent rite of passage. This calls for celebrations. I’d compose a sonnet on the occasion, but all I can think of that rhymes with
Palehook
is
bailbook.
”
    “It can wait till morning,” I said. “Thank you for your help.”
    I turned to walk down the hall but stopped when Magnus said, “By the by, I hope you won’t set me on fire for asking this.” He leaned against the banister. “But I have to know: How long has that boy been