Tales of Enchantment: Stories from the World of Enchanted, Inc. by Shanna Swendson

Author:Shanna Swendson
Language: eng
Format: epub

Chapter Eight

Owen braced himself for an attack. He had a number of good ways to deflect magic without looking like that was what he was doing. Of all times, tonight he most definitely didn’t want to be caught using magic. Even reporting this culprit would mean dealing with the authorities while he was out with Merlin, who wasn’t supposed to have left the MSI building. In spite of Merlin’s argument, Owen doubted Ramsay would accept that he hadn’t explicitly ordered Owen to keep Merlin in the building as an excuse.

But before the culprit could do anything to Owen, Merlin moved to stand between them. “What did I just see you do?” he asked, his voice soft, but the kind of soft that made people stop and listen. The fact that no one around seemed to be doing so told Owen that someone was veiling this encounter, either Rod or Sam. Good. That might reduce the damage.

The culprit stammered and backed away from Merlin, who took a single step toward him. Even from behind Merlin, he could feel the power and authority radiating from him. For the first time since Merlin had been revived, Owen got the full sense of just who Merlin was, and he understood why Ramsay had felt the need to revive him. Anyone who had Merlin’s backing would have a strong sway over the magical community.

But not if this night ended in disaster before Ramsay had the opportunity to introduce Merlin to the board or even if word got out about Merlin’s return before the meeting. Owen moved to intercept Merlin before he could do anything, and the culprit took advantage of that opportunity by taking off running, weaving his way through the crowds.

Merlin tried to go after him, but he was entirely unaccustomed to being surrounded by this many people and didn’t get far. “We can’t let him get away!” Merlin said.

“But if we catch him and turn him in to the authorities, they’ll find out you’re here and away from where you’re supposed to be,” Owen said.

“I’m no one’s prisoner,” Merlin said. “No one can force me to stay in the office.”

“But I could get in big trouble,” Owen argued. “Remember, I’m really not supposed to have taken you out.”

That did give Merlin pause, much to Owen’s relief.

“Besides, he’s not the one we want,” Sam said. He gestured with a wing toward the seller, who didn’t seem to have noticed the commotion around his recent transaction. “We want to find out what’s up with that guy. He’s the one who could lead us to who’s behind all this.”

“Then let’s do that,” Merlin said. Before Owen could stop him, he went over to that vendor and began looking at his wares.

“These are some of the finest spells you’ll find,” the vendor said. “They give you a lot more flexibility than those others you’d pay more for.”

“These are terrible magic,” Merlin said.

“Hey, I just sell ’em. I have nothin’ to do with how people use these spells.”

“No, I mean the spells are poorly constructed.

Download

Copyright Disclaimer:
This site does not store any files on its server. We only index and link to content provided by other sites. Please contact the content providers to delete copyright contents if any and email us, we'll remove relevant links or contents immediately.