Free True Magics by Erik Buchanan Page A

attack. “What does the king want of you?”
    “He wants us to find the other magicians in Hawksmouth,” said Thomas. “Henry and I are supposed to go looking for them.” He looked apologetically at Eileen. “Tonight.”
    Eileen’s opened her mouth to protest, and then stopped herself. She looked away instead. “That’s fine.”
    “Why does the king want magicians?” asked George.
    “To protect them,” said Thomas. “Sir Walter said it would be bad if they fell into Church hands.”
    “Who is Sir Walter?” George sounded exasperated. “No one mentioned Sir Walter before!”
    “He was with the king,” said Thomas. “I don’t know who he is.”
    “He’s the king’s chief spy,” said Henry. “Which is the other reason I think this was about more than just Thomas.” He frowned. “I wonder if the king’s appointment with the Archbishop’s representative came first, or if they found out about us being summoned and tried to head us off.”
    “The king’s chief spy?” said Thomas. “You didn’t think to tell me?”
    “Would telling you have made you any less nervous?” asked Henry.
    “Does it matter?” demanded George. “The king has put you two right in the way of the Church!”
    “I’ll go with you,” announced Eileen. “Just let me get changed.”
    George rounded on Eileen. “You are not going with them. You can come to dinner at the Master Smith’s tonight.”
    “You don’t tell me what to do,” said Eileen, poking a finger in her brother’s direction. “I’m going with Thomas.”
    “What about the Academy?” George demanded. “Tomorrow is your first day there as a girl. You want to go there exhausted, having been out all night searching for magicians who may not even exist?” Eileen’s resolve faltered. George saw it and pressed his point home. “Or maybe end up arrested by the Church and not get there at all? The Academy is everything you want. Remember? Don’t throw it away because these two have a job to do.”
    “He’s right,” said Thomas.
    “He isn’t,” protested Eileen, but there was no spirit behind the words.
    “We’re just starting the search tonight,” said Thomas. “We probably won’t find anyone anyway. You can help us later on, all right?”
    Eileen pouted. “We’re not even getting dinner together, are we?”
    Thomas shook his head. “Sorry.”
    “Fine,” Eileen tossed her head and looked away. “I’ll stay here tonight and study.”
    “Don’t be silly,” said George. “Come to dinner.”
    “No,” said Eileen. “If everyone’s so worried about me being in the Academy, I’d better make sure I can get in.”
    “Wish I could help,” said Thomas.
    “Me, too,” said Eileen. “I’m still terrible at Astronomy, and worse at Trigonometry.”
    “Then you’ll never be a navigator,” declared Henry, looking sad. “Which is too bad, because I hear it pays well.”
    “Not funny,” said Eileen, getting to her feet. “I’ll be in my room. Goodnight.”
    “Eileen,” Thomas started to rise and she caught him in a hug.
    “Don’t you get hurt or arrested tonight,” Eileen said as she crushed his ribs. “You hear me?”
    Thomas hugged her back. “I won’t. I promise.”
    “Good.”
    Eileen went upstairs. George rose to his own feet. “And now I have to get ready to go to the Master Smith’s dinner. So if you’ll excuse me…”
    In the street, Thomas looked up at the light coming from Eileen’s room and sighed. “I was really looking forward to dinner tonight.”
    “Don’t worry,” said Henry. “You’ll still eat.”
    “It was the company I was looking forward to,” said Thomas.
    “It was the kissing you were looking forward to,” said Henry. “Now let’s be off. It’s time to look for a magician or six!”
    “Say it louder,” muttered Thomas. “I don’t think the entire city heard you.”
    “The entire city is getting ready for the feast,” said Henry. “We, on the other hand, are going to the