Read Online Rebel Magisters by Shanna Swendson - Free Book Online

was one last long glance at us. When only the cast was left resetting the stage, Lizzie brought our group down to the front. Colin jumped off the stage to come greet us. “So, what did you think of our little show?” he asked.
    “I enjoyed it a great deal,” I said, quite honestly.
    “It was a rather entertaining production,” Henry said.
    “Jolly good show,” Philip added.
    Colin gave a pointed look at the three magisters, then turned back to me, raising a quizzical eyebrow. I knew it would technically be proper to introduce him to the others, as they were higher in rank, but I thought this was hardly a time to stick to social rules. “Colin, you remember Henry, don’t you? And these are his friends, Philip and Geoffrey. “
    Philip stuck his hand out at Colin. “Delighted to meet you. You’re awfully talented,” he said, beaming.
    After a pause that went on long enough to become rude, Colin took his hand and shook it.  “Thank you. You’re obviously a man of excellent taste.”
    Lizzie took his arm. “I need a word with you, my dear brother,” she said.
    To us, he said, “I’m sure she wants to critique the Hamlet . She’s never satisfied.” In spite of his jovial tone, his eyes were serious.
    “I don’t think he’s happy to see us,” Geoffrey said dryly as we watched them go to the other side of the theater, where they had an animated discussion. All of Colin’s discussions were animated, but this one seemed particularly intense. From this distance, I couldn’t tell who was arguing what or which one was winning. They were both smiling when they returned to us.
    “Would you like to join us for the cast party?” Colin asked. “Then we can get to know each other. If you’ll follow me…” We followed him to the theater’s basement. “I’m afraid we’ll have to take the long way around, since you took that doorway away for us.”
    “We can put it back for you,” Henry said.
    “That should probably wait until after the soldiers leave town. We don’t have the machines here anymore, but we don’t want them discovering what we’ve done with their old subway system in case they pull another surprise inspection at the theater.”
    “That’s probably a good idea,” Henry agreed. “But when you want the door back, send a message to Verity.”
    Colin stopped at the end of the passage we were in. “I’m going to show great faith in you by not blindfolding you. You already know about the subway, and you know a couple of the access points, so there’s not much point in confusing you about where you are now. But I will stress that this location is a secret that only the Rebel Mechanics know.”
    “On our honor, we will keep this secret,” Geoffrey said solemnly.
    “Well, good, then. Otherwise, I’d have to kill you.” Colin grinned as he said it, but his eyes were unusually serious. I shuddered at the thought that he might have meant it.

 
Chapter Five
     
    In Which
    We Make Great Plans
     
     
    I felt like Colin was taking us on a particularly circuitous path as we spent longer than I recalled was necessary walking through tunnels. I was tempted to mark a wall so I’d know we were walking in circles if I saw the mark again. Finally, we reached a large steel door.
    “Wait here a moment while I prepare our hosts for your presence,” Colin said. “Ladies, if you’ll care to join me—other than Verity.” Lizzie and Emma followed Colin through the doorway, leaving me with the magister men.
    “I get the feeling we’re not entirely welcome,” Philip said, his tone flippant.
    “But I thought they wanted money,” Geoffrey said, frowning.
    “I don’t think they like having to ask for it,” Henry said.
    “What they wanted was more money from the Masked Bandits,” I explained. “They probably don’t want money from magisters, unless it’s stolen from them. This is…I think this is making them think about people in a different way. They hate owing you anything. Remember,