Page 49 of Sharpen Your Claws

Henry laughed, distant and cold. “His Majesty remains updated on all we learn here. Trust that he is aware and trust that he does not want to consider the possibility of disciples continuing their master’s work, especially after the war was declared over. Imagine how the public might react? There would be riots and fear. The fae lords don’t want it, either. They rather remain ignorant until there is proof they cannot ignore.”

“Meaning I have to go to Faerie and find that proof myself.”

“Unfortunately.” Henry scurried around his desk in search of something. “When are you leaving, and who is going with you?”

“Charmaine roped herself into it.”

Henry snickered, sounding far too proud of her.

“Evera Bloodbane and Nicholas Darkmoon, as well. He knows of a shimmer we can pass through without being caught. We leave in two days.”

“Darkmoon,” Henry repeated while tearing through his desk. “The one I met and who slayed Fearworn?”

His cheeks warmed. He internally cursed them for doing so. “Yes.”

“You have a valuable ally.” Henry retrieved a green crystal little bigger than his thumb and threw it. William narrowly caught the gem. “Take that with you.”

He examined the crystal. “Why? What is it?”

“A mage of far higher caliber than I made that with the help of a fae,” Henry explained. “So long as you have that on you, I can find you, so if you’re gone too long, I will drag you back.”

William dropped the crystal in his pocket, swearing that Henry wouldn’t make use of it. “How sweet of you.”

“Aren’t I always?”

A knock rapped at the door. Henry’s eyes brightened, delighted.

“Oh, that must be my delivery.” He skipped around his mess without causing an avalanche. William found that in itself magical.

Throwing open the door, a young woman smiled jovially on the other side. She wore a plain blue dress with a fresh coat of pale pink lipstick that matched the dusting of color beneath her cheeks. In her arms, she held a package of books, based on the shape.

“Good afternoon, Lord Vandervult.” She stuck a lock of auburn hair behind her ear.

“Good afternoon, Miss Thomson.” Henry took a package from her grasp. Her hand stroked his. Henry signed a paper, signaling he retrieved his package before returning the paper to her. “Thank you once again for such a speedy delivery. I hardly have to wait at all when you’re in charge.”

“Oh, it isn’t a problem.” Miss Thomson giggled, her pink cheeks darkening red.

“Good day, then.” Henry smiled and Miss Thomson nearly swooned, but he shut the door and ripped into his package of books.

William tried not to grin. “Who was that?”

Henry proudly added four new books to his desk, somehow not toppling anything over. “Miss Thomson? She’s a clerk employed by the society. When we need something specific, we can go to her. She’s as speedy as they come.”

“Yes, she seems exceptionally dedicated to getting your packages to you.”

“I suppose so. It is her job.”

“Henry.” He gestured toward the door. “Did you not see how she looked at you?”

Henry glanced between the door and his younger brother. “She looked no different from usual.”

“She was red in the face.”

Henry looked at the teapot on his desk beside a half-empty cup of the beverage. “Ah, the poor girl must be in a rush. I should have offered her tea.”

William mirrored his brother’s expression. “Blushing, Henry, she was blushing. She likes you.”

“Excuse you?” Henry checked the books individually, then took two to put on the shelves.

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