Page 28 of Wizard of Most Wicked Ways

Growling, Silas jerked from the bearded man’s grip. “You know nothing,” he spat, and started down the street.

“Now we’re stupid?” chimed in one of the men. “Hear that, Gerry? He thinks we’re dumb.”

“In the wayandstupid,” the bearded man agreed.

Silas quickened his step.

“Didn’t we fight a war to rid ourselves of pompous Englishmen?” one of them asked.

“I think we did,” said the bearded man.

“I didn’t get a chance to fight it,” said the last. “Might take that chance now.”

Silas was so focused on his destination, so focused on Charlie andherthat he didn’t realize the men had followed him until a low chuckle sounded behind him. Silas turned, and a fist pummeled his gut.

“Curs!” he spat as he doubled over and reached for his magic—

Charlie stayed his hand. Wrestled Silas down even as a second fist slammed into his jaw, and a kick to his leg sent him face first into the cobbles. Silas fought against Charlie as the thugs beat into him again and again and again, until the pain was so much that, this time, Silas gladly stepped into the dark.

Chapter 11

June 18, 1851, Blaugdone Island, Rhode Island

“It’s our best choice.” Hulda spoke in her most monotone, authoritative voice. The one she usually pulled out for her daughters. “I’ve already confirmed it with her, besides.”

Owein managed to suppress most of his sigh, though it streamed from his nose like the last pump of a blacksmith’s bellows. It was so easy for people to mistake him for a child, even if this body was technically adult. He didn’t want to lend to the image. “I’ve stayed home before. I usually stay home.”

“It isn’t safe,” Merritt said at the same time Hulda glanced at Fallon, who perched, human, on the farthest dining room chair, and declared, “Absolutely not.”

Owein wanted to argue. He was good at arguing. Hulda had been an adept teacher. But he saw the strain in her forehead and the exhaustion shrinking Merritt and found he didn’t have the heart for it. Striking a compromise, he offered, “Beth, then. Can I go with her?”

He didn’t miss the flash of hurt in Hulda’s eyes. At least, he was fairly certain that’s what it had been—she schooled herself so quickly even a clairvoyant would have doubted herself. She glanced out the window, the same one Silas Hogwood had shattered right before pulling Owein’s spirit from the walls of the house, though the Babineauxs’residence wasn’t easily viewed from there. Beth, Baptiste, and Henri weren’t traveling with the Fernsbys, and no one could blame them. They hadn’t been Silas’s target, and it was better for them if it remained that way. The three were going to Delaware, to stay with Beth’s parents. “Of course, if that’s what you want.”

He nodded, but just then, Hattie screamed upstairs. Pattering feet immediately followed, and Mabol shouted down, “She chewed on my dress! Daddy! Shechewedon it!”

A wail punctuated the exclamation. Rubbing his eyes with hisrighthand, as Blightree had mended the break in his collarbone, Merritt pushed off the wall he’d been leaning on and started for the steps. “I’ll go check on the girls.”

“I’ll come to Cambridge with you,” Owein amended, meeting Hulda’s gaze before glancing once toward Fallon. He didn’t like spending time with the Tanners, but this was his family, and the Fernsbys needed him more than the Babineauxs would. Hopefully, this would all be over in a fortnight and they’d be together again, same as always. “We’ll both come with you, unless you’d rather go home, Fallon.”

Fallon snorted. “And leave you to get yourself killed?”

He hated the hope that leapt within him at her refusal. It would be better for both of them if she went home, however much he wanted her to stay.

Hulda bit her lip, but whether her uneasiness was from the idea of Fallon coming with them or the reminder of the threat on their lives, Owein wasn’t sure. Regardless, he set a hand on Hulda’s shoulder, meaning to comfort, before jogging up the stairs.

Lord Pankhurst emerged from the girls’ bedroom as Owein reached the top. He pushed Mabol ahead of him; she was red-faced and had her short arms folded tightly across her chest. “I offered her a different dress,” Pankhurst tried, looking out of sorts. His hair was mussed on one side of his head. “I’m trying to move them quickly. Merritt went off to see to the babe.”

Owein managed a tight smile. “I think you might be better suited to the watchmen.”

The Queen’s Leaguer nodded gratefully and hurried down the stairs and out the door, eager to get away from the mess. Owein wondered if he had a family. And if he did, if he usually left looking after the children to his wife and a nursemaid.

“We can wash your dress.” Owein picked up Mabol, took her back into her room, and sat her on her bed. Hattie was already playing with blocks in the corner, the confrontation forgotten.

“I want to wear ittoday.” She sniffed.

“But if you wear it today, you’ll only get to wear it for a few hours.” Owein picked through the girls’ half-packed suitcase, counting the clothes there. “If you wait until tomorrow, you’ll get to wear it all day, and your cousins will get to see it. By the time we get to Aunt Danielle’s tonight, they’ll be asleep.”

Mabol considered this as Owein selected two comfortable dresses and another set of undergarments to pack in the suitcase. For Hattie, he just grabbed the first things in her drawer. She wasn’t old enough to care yet, thank God.

---