Read Online Iron Kin: A Novel of the Half-Light City by M.J. Scott - Free Book Online
Authors: M.J. Scott
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room.
Like Master Columbine, he wore black and gold, though in his case, his chains of office were so elaborate, a complicated intertwining network of gold medallions and looping chains of every possible kind of metal, that it was more gold than black, as though he were clothed in metal. Indeed, the chains shifted and flowed more easily than they should have, the enchantments that bound them and powered the Master’s bonds singing softly through the air. The spark of power within each medallion made it gleam, so that to a mage’s eyes, the Master was surrounded by a glow of authority, an echo of the molten earth fires from which the metals we worked came.
Master Aquinas was not overly tall but he bore the gold decorations easily, despite their weight. He, like me, was a mage whose affinity was for iron and he seemed to echo the strength of that metal as he laid the leather-bound book he carried on the lectern, set his shoulders, and waited for the silence to be total before beginning to speak.
I listened to his words with only half an ear, impatient for him to get to the important part. We all knew that the negotiations were important, perhaps more important than ever, given the current unrest in the Night World and elsewhere. What we wanted to know was who would get to take part in them. Aquinas spoke for several minutes before he finally finished the formalities and opened the book.
“These are the Guild delegates,” he said and began to read the names. Masters first, then journeymen. I held my breath as he read out the tenth journeyman. There was a soft buzz of voices now, whispered reactions to each name, but it died away as Master Aquinas paused and looked out over the room with a frown before he turned back to the book.
“And finally, the students who have been chosen to serve the delegates.” Master Aquinas paused again and I fought to keep my hands calmly in my lap. “First year. Carlisle Abernathy.” He held up a hand for silence when there was another buzz of noise. “Second year. Marcus Trent. Third year. Rebecca Covington.” He took a breath and I felt mine freeze in my throat. “Fourth year.” He paused and looked out over the crowd. Not at me. “Sara Ledbetter.”
I didn’t hear him speak the fifth name over the roar of shock in my ears. Merely sat frozen, trying not to show dismay on my face as the naming drew to a close and, eventually, everyone started to depart the hall. It was almost empty when there was a light touch on my shoulder and I looked up to see Master Columbine.
“Saskia, you have an appointment with Master Aquinas. No dawdling.”
There seemed to be no polite response that I could conjure. I merely nodded, managed to stand, and headed toward the exit, moving automatically.
* * *
The time spent cooling my heels in the Master’s antechamber did nothing to cool the rage burning in my heart. Hell’s fire and blighted earth.
Simon and Guy had done this. I knew it.
Somehow they had convinced Master Aquinas to keep me out of the delegation. I didn’t know how they’d done it. I wasn’t aware that they’d visited the Guild at any time over the last few weeks, but Master Aquinas didn’t spend all his time here. Somehow my brothers had gotten to him.
Convinced him that I wasn’t worthy. How
dare
they?
I sucked in a breath, the prentice chain at my neck—plain silver and iron—growing warmer as my anger increased. I could hardly convince Master Aquinas that my brothers were wrong about me if I lost control of my powers in his presence. I tried to let my mind go blank, to direct the power back down into the earth. The tiles beneath my feet began to feel too warm.
Hell’s fucking fires indeed.
Where was a bucket of ice water when I needed one?
Just as I was wondering if I dared risk leaving the chamber, the Master’s door finally swung open and Master Columbine stepped out. For a moment I thought I saw sympathy in her expression, but then it returned to its usual
Like Master Columbine, he wore black and gold, though in his case, his chains of office were so elaborate, a complicated intertwining network of gold medallions and looping chains of every possible kind of metal, that it was more gold than black, as though he were clothed in metal. Indeed, the chains shifted and flowed more easily than they should have, the enchantments that bound them and powered the Master’s bonds singing softly through the air. The spark of power within each medallion made it gleam, so that to a mage’s eyes, the Master was surrounded by a glow of authority, an echo of the molten earth fires from which the metals we worked came.
Master Aquinas was not overly tall but he bore the gold decorations easily, despite their weight. He, like me, was a mage whose affinity was for iron and he seemed to echo the strength of that metal as he laid the leather-bound book he carried on the lectern, set his shoulders, and waited for the silence to be total before beginning to speak.
I listened to his words with only half an ear, impatient for him to get to the important part. We all knew that the negotiations were important, perhaps more important than ever, given the current unrest in the Night World and elsewhere. What we wanted to know was who would get to take part in them. Aquinas spoke for several minutes before he finally finished the formalities and opened the book.
“These are the Guild delegates,” he said and began to read the names. Masters first, then journeymen. I held my breath as he read out the tenth journeyman. There was a soft buzz of voices now, whispered reactions to each name, but it died away as Master Aquinas paused and looked out over the room with a frown before he turned back to the book.
“And finally, the students who have been chosen to serve the delegates.” Master Aquinas paused again and I fought to keep my hands calmly in my lap. “First year. Carlisle Abernathy.” He held up a hand for silence when there was another buzz of noise. “Second year. Marcus Trent. Third year. Rebecca Covington.” He took a breath and I felt mine freeze in my throat. “Fourth year.” He paused and looked out over the crowd. Not at me. “Sara Ledbetter.”
I didn’t hear him speak the fifth name over the roar of shock in my ears. Merely sat frozen, trying not to show dismay on my face as the naming drew to a close and, eventually, everyone started to depart the hall. It was almost empty when there was a light touch on my shoulder and I looked up to see Master Columbine.
“Saskia, you have an appointment with Master Aquinas. No dawdling.”
There seemed to be no polite response that I could conjure. I merely nodded, managed to stand, and headed toward the exit, moving automatically.
* * *
The time spent cooling my heels in the Master’s antechamber did nothing to cool the rage burning in my heart. Hell’s fire and blighted earth.
Simon and Guy had done this. I knew it.
Somehow they had convinced Master Aquinas to keep me out of the delegation. I didn’t know how they’d done it. I wasn’t aware that they’d visited the Guild at any time over the last few weeks, but Master Aquinas didn’t spend all his time here. Somehow my brothers had gotten to him.
Convinced him that I wasn’t worthy. How
dare
they?
I sucked in a breath, the prentice chain at my neck—plain silver and iron—growing warmer as my anger increased. I could hardly convince Master Aquinas that my brothers were wrong about me if I lost control of my powers in his presence. I tried to let my mind go blank, to direct the power back down into the earth. The tiles beneath my feet began to feel too warm.
Hell’s fucking fires indeed.
Where was a bucket of ice water when I needed one?
Just as I was wondering if I dared risk leaving the chamber, the Master’s door finally swung open and Master Columbine stepped out. For a moment I thought I saw sympathy in her expression, but then it returned to its usual
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