He's A Magic Man (The Children of Merlin)

He’s A Magic Man

A Children
of Merlin Novel (2)

by

Susan Squires

Version 1.0, Sept
ember 2012

Copyright 2012 by Susan Squires

Discover other titles by Susan Squires at
http://www.susansquires.com

This is a work of fiction. Names, characters, places and incidents either are products of the author’s imagination or are used fictitiously. Any resemblance to actual events or locations or persons, living or dead, is entirely coincidental.

All rights reserved, including the right of reproduction in whole or in part in any form.

CHAPTER
ONE

The old woman wheezed, gasping for breath. Time was running out. “Jason,” she whispered. “Come closer.”

Jason obeyed, though she knew he thought her decaying body distasteful. Even she could smell the scent of subtle rot that permeated the hospital room. She was beyond even a Healer now. They couldn’t fight age. But she could. She just needed the sword.

“Ma’am?” Jason asked. He was frightened of her, big hard man that he was. The minute he wasn’t, she’d feel his hands around her throat. He thought he’d hidden his burning desire to lead the Clan. But he couldn’t hide it from her. She’d seen everything at her age.

“Has Hardwick called?” she rasped.

She saw Jason’s look of dismay turn to relief as his cellphone chattered.

Jason snapped her a look of confirmation with a forced smile. “Hardwick.” He listened. She raised her hand off the bed an inch or so, an impatient command. “Just a minute.” Jason took the phone away from his ear. “He thinks it’s in the Caribbean.” Surprising. “A queen gave it to some pirate named Drake to hide it from the Spanish Armada.” He looked puzzled then put the phone to his ear. “What’s an armada? Oh. Okay.”

It obviously didn’t take education to have the gene. But Hardwick’s theory made sense. Elizabeth couldn’t have let the sword’s power fall into her archenemy’s hands. “Where in the Caribbean?” Her voice felt like leaves rustling in dry wind.

Jason listened again then got an anxious look. “Don’t know.”

How many islands in the Caribbean? She didn’t have time for an extended search. There was now only one sure way to get what she wanted.

“What about the Finder?” She’d been looking for years. She’d almost given up hope. But Prentice had gotten a lead before the Tremaine spawn killed him.

Jason answered eagerly. “I followed up on the notes Prentice left. They say the guy can find anything anywhere. Got a salvage business.”

“Where?”

“Florida Keys.”

Right neighborhood. Things might finally be going her way.

“I’ll head out.” He saw her expression. “I know—no publicity.”

“Don’t ... trust you with this,” she breathed.

His eyes got a haunted expression. He must be remembering the punishment for his last failure. “Who do you want to assign?”

*****

Drew Tremaine took a glass of champagne from the tray held by the tuxedoed server and another for her friend Jane. “Knowing your destiny is really a good feeling.” They made their way through the elegantly dressed crowd to the next lighted display case.
Hard to get excited about fifth century Anglo-Saxon cloak pins.
Drew searched the room. He wasn’t here yet.

“It must be,” Jane said.

Drew realized she’d just been an ass. Jane knew the Tremaine secret, of course. She practically lived at the Breakers since her mother was such a witch (figurative, not literal). But it must be hard to know she wasn’t special like Drew and her siblings. “Apologies, Jane. You know how unthinking I can be,” she said.

“You can’t help what’s in your DNA.” Jane was forgiving. Drew could count on that. She wasn’t sure why Jane put up with her. Drew couldn’t help but outshine her shy friend. Most girls would have found a more comfortable BFF or gotten outlandish in some ill-conceived attempt to garner attention. But Jane was terminally loyal, even when it was difficult. Drew had to love her for that. And Jane still wore gray and taupe and sensible shoes, in spite of Drew’s periodic offers of a makeover weekend. Jane was just Jane. That was her destiny.

“Mrs. Lindstrom, how nice to see you,” Drew said smoothly, as a sleek older woman approached. They exchanged pecks on the cheek and a mock hug careful of their sequins. Mrs. Lindstrom’s copper dress was Stella McCartney if Drew wasn’t mistaken. Nice. “You know Jane Walker?” Mrs. Lindstrom greeted Jane politely.
She was on the museum’s board.
Not very effectual, according to Father, but well meaning.

“They’ve just done a wonderful job with the exhibition, haven’t they?” she gushed.

“Yes. It was so nice of you and the board to arrange this opening as a benefit for Mother’s favorite charity.” Drew’s parents were in the reception room, making sure the well shod of the LA scene and the Hollywood crowd were ponying up the dough.

“Oh, yes, well, we couldn’t have acquired many of these pieces without your father’s largesse. And who doesn’t like supporting Children’s Hospital? They do
such
fabulous work.”

“Who, indeed?” Drew drawled. She didn’t think she could bear an extended conversation. The older woman was eyeing her dress. In a minute she’d be asking whose design it was. Boring. And Drew had more important things on her mind. “Have you seen the coins with the porcupine engravings?”

Mrs. Lindstrom looked around. “No … I can’t say I…”

“They’re over in case thirty-four,” Jane said, gesturing. Mrs. Lindstrom smiled, not quite certain she’d been dismissed, and went off in search of porcupines.

When she’d gone, Drew gave the room a quick scan.
Nothing yet.
“Knowing my destiny kept me from suicide after Father refused to let me go back to Brown,” she said to Jane as they found a corner out of direct circulation. “But living at home is driving me mad. Not to mention our constant ‘companions’ back there.” Three hulking members of her security detail were trying vainly to look interested in Anglo-Saxon artifacts about twenty feet behind them.

“Your father is only thinking of your safety.”

Drew heaved a sigh. “I know.” She smiled and shrugged. “I suppose I just hate being told what to do.”

Jane suppressed a chuckle. “No! Really? You?”

“But if I hadn’t left Brown, I never would have met Roger. Destiny will win out.”

“You’re only twenty-four,” Jane said. “You have plenty of time to find true love.”

Jane just wouldn’t believe that Roger was the One. “I knew immediately, just as the Parents said we would. Roger walked into the seminar and that was it. Maybe that’s my … uh, talent. Matchmaking. Remember Melissa and John? And I knew Maggie was made for Tris long before he did. Now I’m making a great match for myself. If you’d only let me work on
you.…”

“Oh, no. Not on your life.”

“You never let me
do
anything for you.”

“You are the most generous person I know, Drew. But no matchmaking.” Jane seemed to have given up on men. They’d spent a year in France without Jane falling in love, for God’s sake. Who could do that?

Jane’s brow creased. “Have you had any sign of ... you know?” She stepped into the shadows at the very periphery of the room.

“No. But that doesn’t bother me.” Except it did. It was the only ant at her very perfect destiny picnic. She’d been dating Roger since March and she had been sure, after they’d been intimate … but nothing. “Maybe I just don’t recognize it yet. Tris took a while to get his … his … talent. And I have a plan.”

Jane smiled. “What now? And what exactly is my role in said plan?”

“I’ve had a breakthrough in my research on the history of the tarot. I reveal it tomorrow night. Which means my reward is at hand. Mother said you and I
can
have a whole week alone at the Ritz-Carlton. Father promised no security other than what the hotel normally provides.”

“See what I mean? That’s very generous.” Jane cocked her head. She knew there was a catch. “Is there something I can do in return?”

Drew was a little embarrassed. “If Roger just happens to check in at the same time…”

“I’m the cover for a summer romance.” Jane sighed.

“I’ll just
have
to get my
 
…” Drew looked around to see who might be listening. “My … you know … then.” She wasn’t above pleading.

“Drew,” a young man called.

Darn. Everett. He’d had a crush on her for years. She waved languidly, giving him a smile, and drew Jane off toward the ladies’ room. There was no way she was dealing with Everett now.

“If you don’t want to do it, I understand,” Drew whispered. “I don’t want to take advantage of you.”

“There’s nothing I’d like more than to help you get a week away from your family, dear as they are. And I’m always up for time away from Mom. It’s just … well, Roger is so much older than you are
and
he’s your professor.”

Drew chuckled. Jane was so straitlaced sometimes. “Modern relationships aren’t defined by ages or societal roles.” They ducked into the ladies’ room. The outer lounge area was quiet. And it had overstuffed chairs. Drew’s Jimmy
Choos
were killing her.

Jane tried to smile. “I just think he’s a little full of himself. I’d like to see the relationship on a more equal footing.”

Wow. She really wasn’t a Roger fan. But how could she be? If Drew found her one true love, where did that leave Jane? So Drew refused to take offense. “He can be … supercilious. But I’ll change that.”