Free Risk (A Mageri World Novel) by Dannika Dark Page B

lengths to steal the file? Simon wondered if there ever was a file.
    Ella’s mental gift was rare, but he was certain that based on Ella’s reaction, neither Hannah nor the Mageri were aware of it. Even if they were, it didn’t make sense why Hannah would risk getting caught taking the file. There was more to the story, and Simon needed to know.
    “So when is your Relic going to become one of us?” Simon asked, shifting subjects.
    Justus leaned closer. “It has not been an easy decision for her to make. Very few Relics ever choose immortality.”
    “Yes, but that’s because they’re too busy passing down all that knowledge to their offspring. Then guilt sets in about outliving their children and abandoning their family. She won’t have that problem with Rose. Or has that changed?”
    “Rose’s light grows with each passing year. Page is certain she’ll stop aging when she reaches maturity.”
    “This isn’t about the baby weight, is it?” Simon snorted, thinking how silly women could be.
    Justus narrowed his eyes. “Do not speak again of her weight. I have trained her as I would a Mage, so that is not the issue.”
    “Much to your dismay? Don’t think I haven’t noticed you trying to sabotage her fitness plan with cakes and biscuits. I’ve known you a long time, my friend. I know how you like the curves.”
    Justus scratched his square jaw. “It’s complicated. Novis agreed to become her Creator, but we still have to work out the logistics on how to handle her training. Unless they’re unfit or dead, a Creator looks after his progeny.”
    “You still haven’t asked him about being her Ghuardian?”
    After a few beats, Justus finally answered. “Page wanted to wait five years, but after the car accident last month, she realized the foolishness of putting it off any longer. She was lucky to have walked away with only a burn on her arm from the airbag, but it could have been worse.”
    Simon remembered how distraught Justus had been when he received news about the accident.
    “It would be a mistake for me to ask Novis without first demonstrating that my relationship with Page won’t interfere with her training.”
    Simon stretched his arm over the corner of the booth. “Perhaps you two should get bonded and make it official. How long are you going to string her along like a harlot?”
    Justus cut him a menacing glare. “I’ve made the offer, but she won’t bond with me until she is a Mage.”
    “Now I see why you’re shifting gears.” Simon chuckled with amusement. Justus had wanted to bond with her from day one, but Page was a planner.
    “She cannot leave her child to live under his roof. Novis is an obedient man of the law who follows rules. I need to tread carefully.”
    Simon glanced toward the bathroom. “Maybe you should shack up with them. Sunny and the twins might enjoy the company.”
    “Why did Hannah ask you to train her progeny?” Justus narrowed his eyes until Simon could no longer see the blue in them. “I assumed she was a capable Creator, at least from what I’ve seen with Gregory.”
    Simon sipped the last of his drink, the alcohol warming his stomach. He began to feel a mild flutter of annoyance at the way Hannah treated Ella. The more he thought about it, the more he wanted to confront the woman. Brilliant . Now he was going soft just because Ella was a woman.
    A fetching woman.
    Perish the thought . He needed to subjugate himself and keep this professional.
    Easier said than done after five drinks.
    Simon pushed his glass away. “Hannah obviously recognizes that I’m a better man than she is. Although, it’s debatable who has more follicles on their chest,” he said with a snort. “Perhaps she doesn’t have the time to fool with an incompetent Learner. Look, don’t mention Ella’s impediment to anyone. I’m sure you can understand why Hannah wants to be discreet about it. If you blab to anyone, then Hannah will have me hanged, drawn and quartered.”
    “Lock