Free The Royal Sorceress by Christopher Nuttall

definitely pose a problem,” she warned. “If he hears that you’re back, he’ll go running to the Runners. The Rookery can’t afford to have them pounding the beat through here. A man won’t be able to earn a dishonest living.”
    “And if he happens to live here, he won’t be able to earn a honest living,” Jack said. The people of the Rookery survived, somehow. It was a dog-eat-dog world. The strong survived and prospered. The weak perished. It was no way for a human being to live. “I think I’ll go and have a few words with young Henry. Perhaps I can bring him over to my way of thinking.”
    “Watch your back,” Lucy said. “Are you going to be staying here?”
    “I’ll find somewhere to stay,” Jack assured her. He trusted Lucy as far as he trusted anyone, but this was the Rookery and trust was in short supply. Who knew who could turn into a betrayer, given the promise of enough money to move into a more upmarket part of London? “And I want you to find young Olivia a position here.”
    Lucy narrowed her eyes. “You haven’t become one of… them , have you?”
    “No,” Jack said. “And I’m sure that you’re not servicing them , even here.”
    “No,” Lucy said. “And what are you going to do with her?”
    “She knows the streets,” Jack said. “She may come in handy.”
    He smiled. “I’ll do something to show that we can strike back at the oppressors,” he said. “You start spreading the word; I want to talk to Davy and start preparing for the revolution. Our time has finally come.”
    “Yeah,” Lucy said. “I heard that from you before, Mister Spark, and it ended badly for all concerned.”
    “This time will be different,” Jack promised. He tipped his hat to her as he stood up. “And call me Captain Swing.”
    Outside, he took a moment to introduce Olivia to Lucy and offer the young girl a chance to work at reasonably good wages. The child was nervous, unsurprisingly, but Lucy had a way with children; after all, she acted as mother to over thirty whores. Lucy took care of them, ensured that rough clients were shown the door before they could inflict permanent harm on the young ladies, and paid them reasonably well. It had once troubled Jack’s conscience to know that his lover was marketing girls of dubious virtue, but he had long since overcome his doubts. None of the girls were forced into the brothel. They had had the choice between selling themselves or starving to death. Besides, Lucy’s brothel was relatively safe. The gang wars that threatened to tear the Rookery apart never touched its walls.
    The sun was setting in the sky as he strode through the streets, heading for Ebenezer’s house. It was surprisingly well-built for the Rookery, but Ebenezer – although he’d been a miser and a ruthless bastard – had loved his comforts. He’d ensured that his home was always heated against the cold night air of London. A pair of thugs stood on guard outside, holding clubs and thoroughly-illicit pistols, daring anyone to challenge their might. Their master ruled most of the Rookery with an iron hand. Few would dare to see him unless they were desperate or already in his grip.
    Smiling, Jack strode up to the lead thug and slapped him with a blast of powerful magic. The thug staggered backwards, blood pouring from his nose and lips, and collapsed to the ground. Jack laughed as the second thug drew his pistol, took aim with a shaky hand and fired. The bullet was caught in the magic and deflected back at the thug, who gasped as it slammed into his chest. Jack had added a little extra speed with his magic. Leaving the two thugs moaning on the ground, Jack headed inside, wincing at the heat. Henry had few scruples about showing off his wealth and power, even in the middle of the Rookery. It was a testament to the fear his father had inspired.
    Jack lashed out with his magic and the inner door shattered into dust. He strode onwards and was unsurprised to see Henry running for