He conducted them into Hardwick’s outer office, set down their valises, and knocked on the councilor’s door. Almost immediately the door swung open; Hardwick must have been listening for them. The councilor stepped out, beaming. If he was as surprised as Jerome had been at the women’s youth, he gave no indication of it. “So these are the magicians?” he said with a heartiness that might to the women have betokened a genuine welcome but which Jerome recognized as stemming from the man’s colossal greed. Clearly he saw in the wonder workers an opportunity for profit.
“They claim not, sir.” Jerome kept his voice carefully noncommittal. “They are two women traveling alone from Dabney, the only such journeyers to arrive on the evening train from North Woods. They wanted to go to a hotel, but I advised against it. I’ve told them that you would be happy to find them more appropriate accommodations.”
“Ah, quite so. As usual, Jerome, you have acted prudently. I commend you. Ladies, please step into my office.” He backed against the open door and waved them inside. Jerome saw two chairs already positioned in front of his desk. As the women moved toward the chairs, Hardwick said, “If anyone comes, tell them I’m in conference.” He swung the door shut, closing Jerome out.
“Old fool,” Jerome muttered under his breath at the closed door.
He considered leaving. His workday was technically over, and despite Hardwick’s order, no one was likely to visit the office at this time. No one would expect Hardwick to be here. He didn't think the councilor would object to his leaving; he clearly wanted to conduct his interview in privacy. But Jerome was curious. More than curious. He had felt something, some kind of emanation from the two women. Power? Maybe. Whatever it was, he had to investigate. If it was power, and it could be shared, he resolved to get his share.
There were many ways, after all, to get ahead in the world, and Jerome intended to grasp every one that came his way. He determined to occupy Hardwick’s position one day—and to use it as a stepping-stone to rise even higher.
The way would not be easy; it hadn’t been. He’d thought to advance himself by marrying Hardwick’s daughter, Genevieve, until that time four years ago when, against all reason, she’d rejected him in favor of Matthew Wirth, whose greatest ambition was to take over his father’s funeral parlor someday. The failure to win Genevieve had been a setback, but these wonder workers offered him a new and different type of opportunity.
He’d stay to see what happened in Hardwick’s office. To occupy the time, here were their valises, begging to be searched. They might disclose some of the women’s secrets and might tell him more than the women would reveal to his employer.
ABOUT THE AUTHOR
E. Rose Sabin lives in Pinellas County, Florida, where for many years she taught Spanish and English to middle school students. During those years she used her summer vacations to travel extensively in Mexico, Spain, and other Spanish-speaking countries, but since retiring from teaching to become a professional writer of fantasy and science fiction her travels are limited mainly to science fiction and fantasy conventions. She has had many short stories published, and her writing has won several awards, including, in 1992, Andre Norton’s Gryphon Award for the unpublished manuscript of A School for Sorcery, a novel inspired by her teaching career.
Her published works include the science fiction Terrano Trilogy novels—Shadow of a Demon, The Gift of the Trinde Tree, and Touch of Death—and stand-alone fantasy novels Seduction of the Scepter, Were House, A House Full of Dreams, Deathright, and The Twisted Towers, as well as a fantasy novel for young teens, To the Far Side of the Forest, and a children’s chapter book, Grandy’s Grand Inventions. All these books are available from Amazon.
Visit her web site: http://www.erosesabin.com/ and her Facebook author’s page: E. Rose Sabin’s books.
ACKNOWLEDGEMENTS
Two poet friends graciously responded to my request by writing the poems in Chapter Eleven of Mistress of the Wind. The first was written by the late Ben Levin, who couldn’t really write a bad poem even when he tried. The second is by Joyce Levesque, a dear friend and excellent poet, who also is an early reader and critiquer of all my novels.
Another early reader of all my work is my friend and critiquing partner, Diane Sawyer, author of several mystery novels, including The Tell-Tale Treasure and Trouble in Tikal.
Although Mistress of the Wind was published previously, I asked for beta readers to review the manuscript and suggest any needed changes as well as comment on the novel’s strengths and weaknesses. I am grateful to the three readers who responded to that request: James Tucker, Jean Brown, and Heather Dewey Pettet. I appreciate their willingness to undertake that task, and I am especially grateful that James pointed out a contradiction that had escaped notice until caught by his sharp eyes and that Heather kindly did a full copyedit.
I am also grateful to Sheahadin Jeffers of StratgiX Consulting and artist Rubey Shea for helping me in promoting this novel both prior to and following its reissue.
I also wish to thank my cover artist, Igor Deŝić, for his beautiful work and infinite patience in dealing with my suggestions and requests for changes. See more of his fantastic work at
https://igordesic.artstation.com/
Thank you for reading this book. Please consider leaving an honest review on Amazon.
Mistress of the Wind (Arucadi Series Book 1) Page 33