Page 28 of Heir of Uncertain Magic

“Good. It’s ... good.” He should thank him, but his tongue wouldn’t form the words. Merritt rubbed his hands together, trying to warm cold fingers. “How?” he managed. He knew he should be asking about the magic, but there was so much more he wanted to know. So many scabs picked that needed balm.

“How what?”

“How did you and my mother ...” He avoided eye contact. “How did it evenhappen?”

Sutcliffe grinned. “Well, when a man and a woman—”

“Don’t patronize me.”

The grin faded. “You’re right; I shouldn’t. Guess I haven’t thought too hard on how this affects you.” He adjusted again. “That is, I heard about your father—”

“Disowning me because I was a bastard?”Nowthe bitterness leaked out.

The constable splayed his hands as though in surrender. “I’m sorry, Merritt. Had I known it would lead to a child—”

“So you’d have preferred it if I’d never been born.”

Sutcliffe’s eyebrows drew together. “Don’t put words in my mouth.” But his expression relaxed. “It was a mistake.Youare not a mistake, but Rose and I ... She was a witness to a robbery at the bank. Just a small thing, but I looked into it and talked to her a bit. We both grew up here. Went to school together. I’d always liked her but never had the nerve to—” He waved a hand. “But that doesn’t matter. One thing led to another, which led to you.” He sighed. “It was only the one time.”

Only the one timewasn’t an excuse. Merritt knew from experience.

Another deep breath. “So,” Sutcliffe went on, “how’d you figure it out? She say something?”

Merritt met the man’s eyes. “I haven’t spoken to my mother in thirteen years.”

Sutcliffe didn’t respond.

Leaning back in the chair, Merritt said, “My ... housekeeper ... figured it out through the Genealogical Society’s records. There were some instances of wardship in the house, and—”

“Wardship?” The man perked up. “You got it?” The smile returned. “The magic?”

“Apparently.” Merritt couldn’t share the man’s excitement. He didn’t even think he could stand, heavy as he felt. “Perhaps if my father hadbeen more present in my life, I would have known sooner.” Merritt wondered how many times he’d have to wipe the smile off Sutcliffe’s face before it stayed off.

“That’s incredible, though,” the man pressed. “Skipped me.”

Merritt’s hopes dribbled into puddles on the floor. “All of it?”

Sutcliffe nodded, and the hopes iced over.So much for getting help from him.

“I’m ... I’m honestly surprised it showed up in you.” Perhaps to fill the silence, Sutcliffe continued, “There was a break in the family line a while back ... one side joined some sort of magic cult to build on what they had, and the other joined the Quakers.” He chuckled. “They hate magic. I’m actually from the former, but the magic never took in me. My father, though, he could talk to plants.” He shrugged.

Merritt straightened. “Communion spells?”

Sutcliffe nodded.

“Is there a way I could talk to him ... ask him a few questions about how he manages it?”

Sutcliffe frowned. “Unfortunately, he went the same way as your grandmother. Passed away nearly ten years ago, now.”

The man might as well have punched him in the gut. It took Merritt a moment to regain his breath. Licking his teeth, he tried to get moisture in his mouth. He didn’t want to ask for a drink.

“Your sons?” he tried.

“Newton has a sliver of wardship—can make small walls. Most useful for windows, but he’s got such a weak constitution it’s not worth it for him. Last time he caught pneumonia ...” He looked past Merritt, face sagging, lost in thought.

“Are there other relations living who have communion? Someone I could ask ...” His studies with Gifford could go only so far if, indeed, he’d learn anything. Oddly embarrassed, he added, “The magic is new to me. I’d like some pointers, if nothing else.”

“Yes ... a couple. Here.” Sutcliffe stood and exited room, returning less than a minute later with a piece of paper. He handed it to Merritt. Two names were scrawled on it, with addresses. One was in Maine, and the other in Delaware.

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