Chapter Seven
“We could have come over with a housewarming present.”
“Move your elbow, Alban! Some warlock you are.”
“I told you not to use lockpicks!”
“I have to! My magic isn’t like yours, dipstick.”
We’re going to get in so much trouble, gearshift.”
“Hey! Is that a crack about mechamagis?”
“No! You’re going to get us arrested!”
“I am not! She’ll never know.”
“Alain, shut up and step aside.Aperi ianuam!
Burglars! Robbers! Intruders!
On a Monday mid-afternoon. Thank goodness my Agatha is safe at work, but Berry! What if they harm my little four-legged companion?
“Kitty, come!” I hiss, but the kitten races the other way, fearless, ready to claw anything unfamiliar.
Footsteps echo in the empty apartment, hushed voices sounding too loud where they don’t belong.
Why are they here? Did they say warlock? Was that a spell?
I decide to remain hidden. Can you blame me? I have had such terrible luck with magical types, after all.
“I should have come alone. You can’t do anything but turn into a machine.”
“I’m your lookout!”
“Then go andlook out! I’m going to do a standard spell of revelation with a dash of intention.”
“Show-off.”
“Go wait by the door!”
The door shuts with a bang, and a tall, dark, and handsome human in a fine suit enters the bedroom, rubbing his palms on his trousers.
Rapid Latin builds and swells, ending in a brutal burst of English as green flames flicker along the man’s hands. “If there are any beings in this home who intend to harm Agatha in any way, show yourself!”
I wait to be yanked into view... But I stay down, kept in icy silver.
Does this mean I don’t intend to harm her?
“Fine. Any beings who will help and protect Agatha, I command you— Argh! What the hell!?”
I smack into the outer wall of my prison so fast that I make an audible splat. Berry rushes in, fur standing out and making her look like a ball of cotton wool instead of a slinky, scrawny feline.
