Read Online Magic Zero by Christopher Golden, Thomas E. Sniegoski - Free Book Online Page B

he was also open and warm and amiable in a way Argus had never been. What a fool I was to doubt you, Argus, Leander thought. Yet now, what can I do to correct my mistake?
    Softly and with purpose, Nicodemus cleared his throat, capturing their attention. Leander placed a hand upon the boy’s back and ushered him toward the Grandmaster.
    “Nicodemus is the one I was telling you about, Tim,” he explained to the youth. “Grandmaster of the Order of Alhazred. If there is anyone in all of Sunderlund who can help you with your . . . affliction, it is he.”
    Timothy glanced about nervously as he stood before the great mage, then he lowered his head to stare at his bare feet. Even though Leander had provided the boy with adequate footwear, he insisted on going about barefoot, as if still living upon a tropical island.
    “I’ve heard great things about you, sir,” the boy managed, still refusing to look up.
    “And I, you,” Nicodemus replied. The Grandmaster reached out and lifted the boy’s chin, forcing Timothy to meet his gaze. A sad smile appeared upon Nicodemus’s face. “You have your father’s eyes. Argus was among the greatest of us, not merely in our own order, but in all the world. He is sorely missed.”
    Timothy nodded gratefully, visibly relaxing now that he grew more comfortable in Nicodemus’s presence.
    A whistling noise filled the foyer, startling Leander, who turned in alarm to find that it was no new attack, but merely a blast of steam from the angled pipe that jutted from the side of Sheridan’s head.
    The mechanical man clomped closer. “Where are my manners?” he said in his echoing, metallic voice. “Can I getanybody some refreshments? An herbal decoction perhaps?”
    “Not now, Sheridan, maybe—,” Leander started.
    “Yes,” Nicodemus interrupted. “A warm libation would be just the thing.” He clasped his hands behind his back. “And please have it brought to the study. This special young man and I have much to discuss.”
    Sheridan bowed his head and started off toward the kitchen with the grinding of gears and a hiss of steam.
    Nicodemus’s feline familiar strolled into the lobby as if he had been living there for years, and leaped into the waiting arms of his master. Alastor began to purr as the Grandmaster stroked his hairless back. Leander’s mind was in turmoil as he began to wonder how word of Timothy’s existence had gotten out, why the Cuzcotec had attacked, and if there might be other enemies already on the hunt for the boy. Still, Nicodemus exuded a calm that was almost intimidating, and Leander felt that he must follow the Grandmaster’s example.
    “Well,” he said, shaking his shaggy head to clear his mind. “Shall we proceed to the study then?” He motioned toward the hallway at their left and they all began to move in that direction. From the corner of his eye he saw that Ivar had cautiously descended to the foot of the stairs, his skin mimicking the colors of his surroundings, rendering him almost invisible. Despite having thwarted the attempt on Timothy’s life, the warrior remained wary.
    “It’s quite all right, Ivar,” Leander assured the Asura warrior. “We just need to speak with Timothy about some very important matters. He’ll be safe with us.”
    Leander gestured for the warrior to accompany them, but Nicodemus frowned and glared at him.
    “The primitive will stay outside the study,” the Grandmaster of the Order of Alhazred proclaimed with obvious disdain. “Our discussion is not for his ears.”
    Timothy stopped, obviously startled. He glanced uncomfortably at Ivar. “But—”
    “Come, boy,” Nicodemus interrupted, and then he escorted the boy into his father’s study at the end of the hall as though Timothy had never spoken.
    Marks of jagged black flushed upon the warrior’s passive face, the only real sign that he had been in any way affected by the Grandmaster’s harsh words.
    “I’m sorry for that,” Leander said softly,