Page 43 of The Tribes of Magic
“Hey, I’m only trying to help you build up your reputation.”
“Actually, I think she’s doing a pretty good job of that herself, Dante. She’s been an Apprentice for under two weeks, and she’s already saved every Spirit Tree in the Many Realms.”
Dante nodded along to Nevada’s words. “And don’t forget how she usurped the freewill of every member of the Court, turning them into a bunch of mindless puppets. That’s not something people will soon forget!”
“That’s what I’m afraid of,” I muttered.
Dante was right there to pat me on my back, even as I slouched over in my chair. “Chin up, sis! You should be proud that you’re making such an impact on the Many Realms. How many Apprentices—or even Knights—can say that? You’re famous!”
“I’d rather beanonymous. So where’s this secret science retreat that Mom’s doing?”
Dante shrugged. “No idea. It’s a Government project. They put her in charge of a science team that’s working on some super-secret, super-important work.”
“I wonder what kind of work she’s doing.”
“We’ll probably never know. The Government likes its secrets. All I know is: it must bebigif the Government gave her special lodging in Paradise.”
“Wow, that is a huge step up,” Nevada said. “Only the most important Government employees end up in Paradise.”
“Mom says the Government put her up in a huge house on the waterfront in Paradise.”
I smiled. “I bet she hates it.”
“Oh, she definitely does,” Dante said. “Mom never wanted to live in Paradise. She wanted to stay close to us. But it’s not like you can say no to the Government.”
“Yeah.”
Nevada reached over and swiped the blueberry muffin off Dante’s plate.
“Hey!”
She tossed the muffin to me. I caught it.
“What’s this for?”
“You look like you need it.”
“I do. And who am I to argue with a free muffin?”
“Mymuffin.”
“Savannah needs it more than you do, Dante. You’ve already eaten five muffins this morning. Did you putthatin your journal?”
Nevada leaned over to catch a peek at his journal, but Dante stuffed it back in his bag before she got the chance. They stared at each other, arms folded across their chests.
Finally, Nevada broke the staring contest, which made Dante grin, but she obviously didn’t care. “So, Savannah. Did you do any special training this morning?”
“No, not today. Conner is still out there, hunting down the Templars. And the General is keeping Kato close to him andveryfar away from me.”
“Why?”
“The General thinks I’ve bewitched Kato to do my evil bidding. And he thinks if he keeps Kato away from me long enough, the spell will wear off and Kato will come to his senses.”
“Wow, talk about paranoid.”
I shrugged. “Well, you know the General.”
“Yeah, he’s the biggest sourpuss in all the Many Realms. No contest.”
