Starcrossed (Magic in Manhattan) by Allie Therin

Author:Allie Therin [Therin, Allie]
Language: eng
Format: epub
Publisher: Carina Press
Published: 2020-05-17T18:30:00+00:00

Chapter Nineteen

From the library, Jade and Rory went upstairs to the family dining room behind the red curtain. Dinner was just getting underway, and the kitchen had given Rory something to eat, some kind of white steamed bun full of flavorful meat. Zhang said it was Arthur’s favorite. Rory was inhaling it.

“How’s Ace?” Rory asked, as he swallowed his mouthful. “Should I go scry his brother’s office tonight?”

“Perhaps. Jianwei didn’t find anything but maybe you will.” Jade lowered her voice. “Although, to be quite honest, I’m not convinced Alderman Kenzie is the real target.”

“Then who is?”

“Did Arthur tell you what he nearly dreamed last night?”

Rory gritted his teeth. No, of course Arthur hadn’t. “He mentioned his brother but not any dreams of his own.”

She hesitated, then sighed. “It’s really not my story to tell,” she said apologetically. “He should tell you himself.”

“Oh, sure, ’cause that’s gonna happen.” Rory dropped his voice to a frustrated whisper. “Are you telling me Ace could be a target and we’re just letting that magicless high hat walk up and down Fifth Avenue alone?”

Her lips twitched at that, despite the worry in her eyes. “Zhang is keeping an eye on the city from the plane. But the plane has been strange, as of late.” She looked troubled. “Arthur thinks he’s just going to make a quick drop at the hotel, then come here.”

Arthur and his ex, together at a hotel. Rory’s bare finger seemed to pulse. Mrs. Wang had phased the ring inside a solid brass sphere that looked like a big marble, then she’d phased that into a heavy metal trunk that was welded shut. He wasn’t getting his ring back himself. A good thing. Probably.

Rory crammed the last of the bun in his mouth before he could think too hard about having both the ring and Arthur’s former fella around at the same time.

“The thing is, I’ve met Fine,” Jade said, “and I’m afraid he’s a little higher maintenance than that.”

Rory frowned. “I’m going to Arthur’s pad.”

Jade cocked her head. “You’re welcome to stay here, you know, or we’re always happy to have you at the Magnolia.”

And even though he was worried, an unfamiliar warmth crept through him. Been a long time since he had anywhere to go but his room or the shop. “Thanks,” he said, “but I bet you need to go check on your family too, and you haven’t gone yet ’cause you’re worried about Arthur.” When she bit her lip, he huffed. “I’m not as young or helpless as everyone thinks. I’m gonna go scry Ace’s place instead of City Hall. If someone’s ever tried to plant a spell bag or messed with his stuff, I’ll find it in history, and then we can make a plan to make them sorry.”

“All right, then.” She had a small smile of relief as she patted his arm. “For the record, I’m worried about you too. But you make a convincing case.”

Outside Dragon House, Rory gave himself a very fierce order as he headed up toward the train on Canal Street.

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