A New Source of Magic by P. J. Whittlesea

Author:P. J. Whittlesea [Whittlesea, P. J.]
Language: eng
Format: epub
ISBN: 9789492523235
Publisher: Tyet Books
Published: 2023-02-23T23:00:00+00:00

RETURN

The librarian massaged her midriff. As the pain subsided, she sat back in her seat with her arms folded, staring at the steering wheel. It twitched from side to side, keeping the bus centred in its lane as it picked its way through the outskirts of Valletta. Unlike the movement of the wheel, Immi’s sour countenance was fixed.

‘Not nice, Anaïs,’ she sniped at the little witch through tight lips. ‘What’s your intention here?’

Anaïs hung over the guard rail, leaning on it with her armpits. She held the promptuary before her. It lay open in her palms. She looked up from the map on the pages. ‘We’re heading back to the palace, or whatever it is, on the island. We’re going to get Nan.’

‘We? I, for one, am not doing a thing,’ growled Immi. She was silent for a moment before enquiring, ‘How on earth do you want to get her back?’

‘I don’t know.’

‘Great!’ Immi flashed her eyes at the ceiling. ‘You’re taking us back to them and you don’t know! You don’t have a plan?’

Anaïs shook her head grimly.

‘We just got away from them,’ said Immi. ‘We were lucky. I doubt they’ll let you go so easily a second time.’

Anaïs shrugged. ‘I don’t care.’

‘You don’t care!’ Immi was flabbergasted.

‘Nope.’ She sniffed and jutted out her chin. ‘Let them do their worst. I’m not afraid. The guy said he was my father. He won’t hurt me.’

‘I wouldn’t be too sure of that,’ said Immi. ‘Just because he claims he’s your parent doesn’t guarantee your safety.’

Anaïs hissed through gritted teeth. ‘Whatever! I’m still going back.’

‘Fine!’ Immi threw her arms in the air. ‘Then you do it without me. Let me out. Stop the bus immediately. I won’t be a party to this.’

‘No, Immi.’ Anaïs spoke with an uneasy calm. ‘You’re staying in the bus.’

The librarian’s eyes narrowed. ‘I don’t think so. You let me out now!’

Anaïs shook her head vigorously. ‘No.’

’No? Why? You don’t need me.’

‘Yes I do,’ said Anaïs. ‘I need a driver.’

‘You’re driving.’ Immi pointed at the promptuary. ‘Or is it your handbook? What do you need me for?’

Anaïs glanced down at the book in her hands. ‘Don’t you think it would look strange to see a child driving a city bus?’ She turned her attention to the librarian. ‘I need you to stay put. Besides, you have a responsibility.’

‘Responsibility?’ Immi raised a pencilled eyebrow.

‘Caput Mortuum said you had to take care of me.’

Immi narrowed her eyes. ‘Don’t you use that against me.’

‘Well, it’s true.’

The librarian pursed her lips, torn between her task and the desire to get as far away as possible. ‘I’m scared,’ she conceded. ‘What if they do something to me?’

‘They’re not interested in you,’ said Anaïs flatly. ‘They want me.’

The bus reached the crest of a hill. It began its descent down the other side. Centred in the bay below, the island stood in foreboding isolation. Engaging a low gear to slow its progress, the bus’s engine whined in protest, drowning out the opportunity to discuss the matter further.

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