Read Online The Age of Mages: Book I of the Mage Tales by Ilana Waters - Free Book Online

sighing the entire time. My first thought was to leave the restroom as quickly as possible. But when the louse came up beside me—not to wash up, but to light another cigar—it gave me an idea.
    “Nice work there before, with the waitress,” I said dryly, wiping my hands on the towel the attendant handed me.
    “What? Oh yeah—which one?” The louse grinned and blew a puff of smoke—not quite in my face, but not far enough away, either. “Eh, doesn’t matter. I try to get as much tail as I can. I make it a little game, you know? How much can I grab and how hard before they get away. And that’s just what happens outside the bedroom, if you know what I mean.” The louse chuckled.
    A quick scan of his meager mind, and I knew the closest Larry came to having sex in months was visiting pornography websites. The stench of his cigar was even more revolting in such an enclosed space. I covered my mouth and tried not to choke.
    “That’s . . . that’s great,” I coughed. I slipped a twenty out of my pocket and pressed it into the attendant’s palm. “Could you give us a minute?” Wordlessly, the attendant left the room.
    “But you know, there’s one trick you can use to get women to do anything you want.” I swallowed and rubbed my throat, which was already starting to burn. I couldn’t wait to get out of there.
    “Really?” Larry leaned forward, grinning widely.
    “Oh yes,” I said. “One trick that never fails to have them eating out of the palm of your hand.”
    “Well, what is it? Don’t hold back, son. Lay that shit on me!” he laughed, releasing a pungent wave that was half cigar smoke, half foul breath.
    “The number one way to win over girls is . . .” I bent my head closer to his, trying not to inhale.
    “Is . . .?” He put his face inches from mine, just where I wanted it.
    “Is . . .” Before Larry could release the next cloudful of nicotine, I grabbed him by the back of the neck and slammed his face on the counter.
    “Is don’t act like a jackass !” I snapped. Larry’s hands clutched his face and he dropped his cigar, which rolled a little ways into a small puddle and fizzled out. When he tried to stand, blood dripped down his chin. I dropped the towel I’d been using into the laundry bin and went to the door.
    “My nose!” he cried. “You broke my nose!”
    I had? This had gone better than expected.
    “Never mind that. It may not be cheating at cards,” I called over his groans of pain, “but you really ought to treat the ladies more gently.” I gave a little smile and left.
    What? Oh, come now. I know I’ve given the impression I’m not terribly violent, but there’s a time and place for everything, after all.
    And I am Titus Aurelius’s son.

Chapter 6
     
    It’s one of the first trips to the library that I can remember. I don’t know how old I am, but the library card is nearly as big as my hand. I look down at the laminated piece of plastic covering my entire palm. It has my name on it. My very own library card!
    From somewhere above comes my mother’s voice .
    “Don’t lose it now, baby, you hear? Or do you want me to keep it for you?”
    “No, I want to keep it . It’s mine !” I clutch the card to my chest as if someone is going to snatch it away from me .
    My mother laughs, a sound like someone trying to catch their breath. I look up at her. She isn’t that tall, but she’s a giant to me. With curly, dark brown hair and matching eyes, her scent is a blend of wisteria and hyacinth. She smells like childhood and summer wind. And a little bit like soil—wild, like nature itself.
    “C’mon—the kids’ section is over here.” She takes my hand, but I pull away.
    “No, I want to go where the big books are.” I point to where the grown-ups are reading in their individual cubbies. My mother knows what I mean.
    She laughs again. “ Maybe later . . . when you’re all grown up. ”
    I don’t remember who won the battle that day. Probably her, but the