Free The Unmage by Jane Glatt Page A

cultivate, and she wouldn’t be able to offer newly minted Mages anything. There were a few Apprentices ready to move to Journeyman. Could she take one on? Would they become her ally or another threat?
    Maybe the girl—the one who had helped Timo get into the Hall of Records. What was her name? Ah, yes. Barra Eska. She was Inigo’s Apprentice. It might be a delicate matter to gain her trust, but she could always appeal to her as a woman, couldn’t she? Would the girl be loyal to her, or had she already been poisoned by Inigo?
    Hours after Rorik left, Arabella remained in her sitting room. She had to try to cultivate allies as soon as possible. When Rorik died she would be alone.
     
    REO SET THE map on the table, and Kara leaned over his shoulder to look at it.
    “We should wait until dusk,” Reo said. “Santos will spell us invisible but a boat carrying all of us will produce a noticeable wake.” He turned to her. “Have you talked to Giona?”
    “Yes,” Kara said. “I’ll reinforce the barriers before I go. He’s adding a spell to notify him if anyone uses magic against it.”
    “I still don’t like risking both you and Santos,” Reo said. “You’re his heir.”
    “And the children are mine,” Kara said. Years ago Santos had discovered that Kara was related to him through her mother. Only a living heir ensured that Old Rillidi Island remained free from the guilds. “He’s my brother.”
    She looked down and met Reo’s eyes. His lips softened into a sad smile, and she knew he agreed.
    “My skills will be needed,” she added.
    “I know,” he said. “But I don’t have to like it.” Reo sighed and turned back to the map.
    “Can we make sure Timo’s there?” Kara asked. “Mole’s contacts say he hasn’t been outside of Rorik’s quarters in almost a week.”
    “I’ll tell him,” Mole said. “Next time I see him.”
    He lounged on the opposite side of the table, and Kara gritted her teeth and stifled a retort. He seemed too relaxed—and so unconcerned about this trip to Mage Guild Island that she wanted to slap him.
    Mole had been stealing onto Mage Guild Island for over a year without being noticed but Kara wanted— needed —them all ready for anything. Until Timo was safe she’d be uneasy. Mole’s description of her brother’s life made her desperate to help him.
    “Kara, you’ll be with me. Once I enter the Guild Hall, all eyes will be on me,” Santos said.
    Kara wanted to slap him too, for grinning like he was a kid going on a great adventure. Her brother’s life was at stake!
    “We’ll leave Mole invisible and hope that Timo will be able to see him,” Reo said.
    “I can,” Kara said. To her, someone with an invisibility spell was simply covered in mage mist. “We have to assume he can too.”
    Santos was going to proclaim himself—truthfully—as the Mage Guild Primus and insist on giving the greeting. He didn’t really expect to be allowed to speak but very few people outside of the Mage Guild Council knew he was still Primus. His announcement would cause an uproar.
    “Once Mole has Timo we’ll need to form up,” Reo said. “As small a group as possible for Kara to shield. Then we make our way back to the boat and home.”
    “You don’t expect fighting,” Kara said. She’d been told that it would be quick and secretive. No one would realize Timo was gone until he was safely away.
    “There will be verbal fighting,” Santos said. “I don’t expect magic to be used. We’ll be so covered in defenses that nothing will be able to touch us anyway.” Santos looked across the table and met her gaze. “I don’t think anyone in this room cares if Mage Guild destroys itself.”
    “Not once Timo’s out,” Reo said. Then he looked over his shoulder at Kara. “Unless you want us to warn your mother?”
    “No.” Kara shook her head. “My mother made her choices long ago. I don’t owe her anything.” Nor would Arabella Fonti thank her daughter for her