Deception of the Magician (Waldgrave Book 2)

by A. L. Tyler

  Deception of the Magician

  Waldgrave Part 2

  By A.L. Tyler

  More books by A.L. Tyler

  http://addisynltyler.blogspot.com/

  The Waldgrave Series

  Arrival of the Traveler

  Deception of the Magician

  Secrets of the Guardian

  Redemption

  The Spider Catcher

  Rabbit Bones

  Serpent’s Bite

  Pale Hound

  Lion’s Shadow (coming July 25, 2015)

  *****

  Story © A.L. Tyler 2011. All rights reserved. http://addisynltyler.blogspot.com/ Cover art by A.L. Tyler, using images found at http://www.123rf.com/profile_massonforstock

  and http://www.publicdomainpictures.net/view-image.php?image=111403&picture=fairy-iris-flower&large=1

  4th Edition.

  This book is a work of fiction. The names, characters, places, and incidents are products of the writer's imagination and used fictitiously and are not to be construed as real. Any resemblance to persons, living or dead, actual events, locales or organizations is entirely coincidental.

  *****

  For my friends, who have always provided me an outlet and a blue couch.

  For my family, who have always supported my creative endeavors.

  And especially for my sister, who graciously allowed me to use her image for the cover.

  *****

  Table of Contents

  Chapter 1

  Chapter 2

  Chapter 3

  Chapter 4

  Chapter 5

  Chapter 6

  Chapter 7

  Chapter 8

  Chapter 9

  Chapter 10

  Chapter 11

  Chapter 12

  Chapter 13

  Chapter 14

  Chapter 15

  Chapter 16

  Chapter 17

  Chapter 18

  Chapter 19

  Preview: Secrets of the Guardian, Waldgrave Part 3

  *****

  CHAPTER 1

  “I’m telling you, I’m done.” Hesper groaned. “I don’t care what Serena says, the little parasite is sapping my energy and I want her out. You know, I’ve been taking care of this baby twenty-four seven for the last eight months straight—the second I pop, the next nine months are Eric’s.”

  Lena and Hesper laughed. They hadn’t seen each other in months, but they had been on the phone almost every day. Hesper’s last visit had been in January, and she hadn’t been allowed on planes since. It was now May, and Hesper was ready to welcome her daughter to the world. Really, really ready.

  “Now, have you actually confirmed with the doctor that it’s a girl?” Lena asked. “With one of those scan dealies?”

  “No, I told you—it’s a girl. I just know it’s a girl. It’s a Silenti thing…you’ll understand when…” Hesper paused, and both of them knew what she had been about to say. But due to her family’s unique status in the Silenti world, Lena had sworn time and again that she would never have children. “Well, just trust me.”

  “Yep. That’s right.” Lena smiled. “I’m going to have to take your word on it. So when are you coming to see me?”

  And that was the other thing that had changed…given the results of her last trip to Australia, and the new Council restrictions on her leaving Waldgrave, Howard hadn’t been able to clear any further travel plans for her. Even to be there for the birth of her best friend’s daughter.

  “Well, you know—as soon as a pilot can look at me without freaking out.” Hesper laughed. “June eighteenth, if I can’t get my hands on some castor oil and make it happen sooner. Or a few days after the eighteenth, I guess.”

  She wasn’t serious about the castor oil. She was sick of being pregnant, but Lena was sure she wouldn’t take the chance that it would harm her baby. She had put a lot of time and energy into that baby, as she so often whined. But Lena had called Eric and warned him just to be sure; a pregnant woman was a hormonal woman, and Lena knew better than to trust the judgment of a hormonal woman.

  “How’s Eric holding up in all of this?” Lena asked.

  “Oh, you know him. Internet college, and all that. Like I said, he’d damn well finish before mid-June because that’s when he goes on diaper duty. He’s already got a job proposal for some IT place.”

  “Well, that’s good.” Lena grinned at the way that Hesper’s words had slowly morphed since her move to Australia; it wasn’t a dramatic change, but she was starting to lose her California accent in favor of one with a hint more Outback twang.

  “Yeah, it is. He’s worked hard for it, and I’m proud. Bloated and fat, but proud.” Hesper said with more than a hint of dissatisfaction.

  Lena was happy to hear a knock on her door. She loved Hesper, but didn’t want to have to hear about how bloated she was again.

  “I’ve got to go.”

  They hung up and Lena answered her door. It was Cheryl, balancing a basket of clean clothes on her hip and a heavy catalog under her arm. “Rosaleen wants you to pick some clothes out of here.” She pushed the catalog at Lena. “She said no more tee-shirts and no more teen clothes, and you need to pick out some suits from the ladies’ professional section. No short skirts.”

  Mrs. Ralston had been cracking down on the style that Hesper had brought into Lena’s life since meeting her. There weren’t any female Council members for her to base Lena’s look on, so she had made the decision that Lena was going to dress extremely formal and professional in any situation that involved other Council members. While it was true that Lena had a need to be viewed as serious and qualified, getting a hold of new clothes was becoming an issue. There weren’t any designer shops in the nearby town, and since Griffin had moved in, there wasn’t anybody to take her out anyway; Howard couldn’t leave, and neither could Mrs. Ralston because the number of Darays at the house was now too big for either one of them to effectively watch alone by Council standards. Plus, there was the fact that no one on the Council trusted Lena anymore—not even to run into town to look at new clothes. She was left to guess at sizes and order out of a catalog; they wound up sending back almost three-quarters of what they ordered in the first place.

  Cheryl walked over to the closet and started unloading clean clothes. Lena threw the catalog onto the bed and went to help. Cheryl gave her a look reminiscent of Mrs. Ralston. “She wants your selections by dinner, so you’d better get moving.”

  “I know.” Lena walked into the closet and started pulling out some of her older outfits, fondly eyeing a pair with rhinestone swirl patterns on the back pockets. Some of them weren’t even that old, but Mrs. Ralston wouldn’t let her wear them anymore, so they had to go. She carried a pile of blouses, sweatpants, tee-shirts, sneakers, and jeans out and threw them on the bed. It was a shame to see some of it go, but then, there would always be new clothes. “You can take whatever you want, as always. Marie too.”

  Cheryl hung up the last shirt and walked out to the bed, where she dug through the pile. “You know Marie won’t. The old bat upstairs doesn’t like us to wear your stuff.”

  “It’s not my stuff. It’s your stuff after I give it to you.” She picked up a tee-shirt—she was sure she had only worn it once—and held it up to Cheryl. “It’s a little long in the sleeves, but I bet Mrs. Ralston could alter it. Are you in a size nine shoe yet?”

  Lena picked up the three pairs of shoes she was getting rid of; one of them was a strappy pair of black sandals. Lena had made a direct plea on their behalf to Mrs. Ralston that black was professional, but the older woman insisted that skin seen through straps, and especially black one
s, was scandalous.

  “I’m an eight and a half, but close enough. Marie’s a seven, I think. Tiny little feet.” Cheryl sighed and picked up a shirt with a butterfly motif on it. The shirt was a pale pink that made Cheryl’s mousy brown hair and delicate features seem deceptively childish. She was still a child, but part of the nature of being a Silenti was growing up quickly. Cheryl was already taking studies at a high school level, and some days, Lena was sure she was the most emotionally mature person in the house. “She’d love this, too. I don’t know why she’s so scared of them. Did you know she won’t even go upstairs anymore? She won’t do any of their laundry or cleaning? It’s a pain. I’d call her a brat, but she’s so sensitive.”

  It was true; Marie was sensitive. Lena couldn’t blame her, because she hated being around her grandfather just as much. If anyone had a problem it was Cheryl for being so fearless. She had even told off Griffin once for staining a new shirt, letting it sit, and then getting angry when Mrs. Ralston couldn’t get it out. Griffin had almost gotten her kicked out for that stunt, but Howard had refused to do it, and in a rare twist of events Master Daray had chosen to abstain from backing Griffin up; Lena had to wonder if he found Griffin’s sudden ambition of leadership within the household a challenge to his own authority. Cheryl collected the clothes that she wanted, and the ones she thought might fit Marie, and left.

  Lena!

  What?

  Ryan Ashmore’s on my cell phone for you—I’m in the office!

  Lena’s term at Waldgrave was becoming too drawn out again. She needed to get on a plane or in a car, but as things were, there was no hint of a promise that she would ever be allowed to leave again. Her whole life was stuck in a cyclical rut; there would never be anything to look forward to besides birthdays, Council, and the rare occasion that Cheryl badgered Griffin for making a mess. And, apparently, unexpected phone calls.

  Lena rushed from her room to the office down the hall, where Howard was sitting diligently at his desk, typing on the computer with one hand while holding the cell phone at arm’s length with the other. Lena grabbed it and sat down in a chair.

  “Hello?” She said, trying to keep her voice level after her jog down the long second floor hallway.

  “Lena, nice to hear from you again.” Ryan Ashmore’s voice came back at her, as pleasant and confident as ever. Ryan was a confirmed Council heir, and a natural at the political games the Silenti liked to play. When he spoke, Lena could imagine the easy smile that would grace his eyes. “We’re settling all the planning for the rafting trip on the Colorado next month, and I was wondering if you’re still interested in going?”

  Lena flinched. She wanted to go more than she’d ever wanted to do anything in her life, but composed herself to sound professional. “Ryan, it’s nice to hear from you, too. Life’s been a little hectic around here lately…”

  “Oh?” He asked; he sounded so concerned. Lena had to wonder where he had learned to fake such wonderful social skills, because she was sure his interest in her was merely political. They had managed less than a handful of meaningful conversations in the time that they had known each other.

  “Oh, yeah…Paperwork.” Lena responded, hoping she sounded half as genuine as Ryan did. “Howard’s got me doing a lot of paperwork, and there’s been some hassle with the arrangements for Mrs. Corbett.” Mrs. Corbett had given birth to a son last March, which greatly complicated the future of representation for the Corbett household. Griffin was in the process of trying to arrange for his last remaining blood family to live at Waldgrave until other arrangements could be made. “And I’d love to go, I really would.” Howard stopped typing and his eyes wandered over to Lena. “But I’ll need to work out my schedule first. What date were you planning on leaving?”

  “The reservation’s been made for July thirteenth.”

  “Reservation?”

  “For the first camp site.” Ryan responded.

  “Oh, right. Well,” Lena looked over at Howard, who was still watching her, “I’ll look things over and get back to you later today, alright?”

  “That sounds great.” Ryan smiled. “Have a good afternoon, then.”

  “Yeah, you too…”

  Lena hung up the phone and Howard crossed his arms. Trying not to blink, Lena shaded the phone call as best she could. “I’ve been invited on a political outing with some other heirs, and I believe it would benefit my future on the Council to go.”

  Howard sighed; his arms remained crossed. “And where is this outing being held?”

  “Colorado.” Lena said quickly.

  Howard didn’t move anything but his lips. “Where in Colorado?”

  “Well…” Lena tried to think, but there was no other way to say it. “Progressively downstream on the Colorado River.”

  Howard went back to typing. “Don’t get your hopes up. You’ll need an escort. I have to stay here with your mother, grandfather, and Griffin. And to my knowledge, Rosaleen doesn’t do rivers.”

  Lena tried to keep the desperation out of her voice. “There will be lots of other people there—people who will be on the Council someday. It’s not like I’ll be alone. Isn’t that enough?”

  “They may have status as adults in our community, Lena, but we still recognize them as a bunch of naïve teenagers. They’re young and stupid—and I’m not sure how I feel about you going off with a bunch of young, stupid boys, anyway.” Howard looked away from his computer screen just long enough to see the depressed look on Lena’s face. He shifted uncomfortably. “Get me a list of names and I’ll see what I can do.”

  Lena jotted down Ryan Ashmore’s number from Howard’s cell phone and headed back to her room. Convinced that she had to make it work or she would die of seclusion, she programmed the phone number into her cell phone and called it. A moment later, she had acquired the guest list—and she wasn’t sure if it was longer or shorter than she would have liked it to be. There were only seven people going besides her, and of the names she knew, at least three were from Old Faith families. She made another jog back to the office, where Howard looked over the list with an uncertain expression.

  “Lena, I don’t know…” He said, scratching behind his ear.

  Lena pouted. “Please, Howard…Please. I really want to go. I need to get out. And I’m pretty sure I’ll really need to get out after two more Corbetts move in here. Please, please, please let me do this!”

  Howard continued to stare at the list and heaved a sigh. “Let me think about it, and even then I’m not too sure how the Council will react to this request. We’ll see.”

  At dinner that night, with everyone gathered around the table (except Cheryl, Marie, Pete, and Mrs. Ralston, whose presence at the table had annoyed Master Daray to such an extent that they now ate in the kitchen instead), Howard was reserved. As he liked sharing good news, this was typically a sign that the answer was going to be ‘no.’ Instead, the conversation turned to Griffin’s family.

  His three-month-old brother was in good health, but his mother wasn’t doing nearly as well since the loss of her husband. Mrs. Corbett still refused to believe that he would have killed himself. Hesper was going to pop any day now, which would land her arrival to visit with Lena around the time that Mrs. Corbett was planning to move in. Ava was the only one who didn’t see a problem with this inconvenient fact, as she was too overjoyed to have babies in the house again—ones whose diapers she would not be obliged to change.

  Griffin was acting as though the situation was a bomb that needed to be diffused. “You’ll have to tell her to delay her trip, Lena. My mother’s dealing with enough already, and having the family disgrace in the house might put her over the edge.”

  Lena fought the temptation to hurl a fork load of peas at Griffin. He had become domineering in the past months, even given how little she had seen him. “She’s my best friend. In fact, she’s probably closer to being my sister than yours. So no, I’m not asking her to delay, and I’m not going to be making her stay out of yo
ur mother’s way any more than your mother should have to stay out of hers. She’s my guest, and I want to meet my niece. Your niece.”

  “Yes, it’s a pity it’s not a boy. Mason will never get an heir now—not that it’s a bad thing. I voted against letting him in to begin with.” Lena tried to ignore Master Daray, but he had known her long enough to have figured out which buttons to push. “But then, these things do tend to happen. Similar types are drawn together with similar results; that’s why the girl went off with them to begin with. She goes off with young Mason and then they have a girl, and their only blessing is that they’re both too stupid to mourn the loss.”

  Lena’s jaw dropped and Howard set his utensils down to hold his face in his hands. He shot an apologetic look at Lena.

  “Excuse me.” Lena stood up and took her plate into the kitchen, where she sat down to eat between Pete and Mrs. Ralston. She felt bad for leaving Howard in the dining room alone, but was sure he understood.

  The next morning, Howard confirmed that the Council was, indeed, refusing Lena’s request. Even one of the families represented on the guest list had spoken against her going. This fact particularly upset Howard, even though he had only been cautiously okay with Lena going to begin with. He felt insulted on a personal level because his heir was being snubbed for reasons that didn’t have much to do with the political disagreement surrounding her bloodline. Lena, however, was just upset that she wasn’t going to go.

  “Why can’t I go? Why?” Lena was trying to hold the tears back, and was failing miserably. She was starting to hyperventilate, and on a perverse level she was hoping it might require someone to take her to the hospital—anything to get out and away. “I’m going to die here. They’re going to keep me trapped here until I die, and there’s nothing I can do about it…”

  Howard walked out from behind his desk and sat down in the chair next to Lena. “Stop being so melodramatic. You’ll get your chance. You’ve just got to find a way to make them trust you. My father was the foremost among researchers, scholars, and historians who specialized in the portal, but he was also married to a human woman with two sons, and one of them was human. He was a hard-core integrationist and believed in equal rights and representation for our lower classes, but he still found a way to get along with your other grandfather to continue his studies.” He passed her a box of tissues. “He found a way to make it work, and so can you. It might not happen quickly, but you can make them trust you.”