A Shadow Bright and Burning

by Jessica Cluess

  “Yes,” he said. His voice was almost a whisper. He turned his watery eyes to Agrippa. “Yes,” he said again with a nod.

  With that, he shuffled out the door and into the hall. I heard him collect his hat and coat, and call for his carriage. Agrippa said nothing; apparently the Imperator was allowed to be rude.

  Palehook took my hand in his. His eyes searched mine, a small smile playing on his lips. “My dear girl,” he said. “Happy day, is it not? The queen shall commend you. Yes, Cornelius,” he said, nodding. “The Imperator has spoken. You may train her. The Order grants permission.”

  —

  WE WENT TO DINNER, WHERE THE aromas overwhelmed me. There was buttery oyster soup, roast duck with cherries, a succulent leg of mutton, a rib of beef, marrow and potatoes, three types of vegetables, and a plum pudding. Sorcerers ate better than kings, I decided. I’d been too nervous to eat before, but I wanted to make up for that. I yearned to tuck in with the most unladylike relish possible, but I managed to contain myself. Brimthorn had schooled its girls in nice table manners.

  “A toast,” Agrippa said, raising a glass, “to our lady sorcerer.”

  The gentlemen joined him. Looking down the candlelit table, seeing all these men toasting me, I felt as if I’d entered some bizarre dream world. Nervous, I tried some wine, coughing at the taste.

  “Once you’ve received Her Majesty’s commendation,” Palehook said, sawing at his duck, “you’ll be the most admired woman in all of London. We shall host a ball in your honor, Mrs. Palehook and I. Of course, there’s certain to be an undercurrent of nasty gossip. The masses are always ready to condemn a young lady of such independence. But you needn’t worry, Miss Howel. I’ve seven daughters, did you know? They should be glad to meet such a charming and unusual girl. To get on well in society, why, the Misses Palehook might be instrumental.” His tone indicated I must force myself to become chummy with his daughters. He was apparently used to getting his way.

  “I suppose they might.” While Palehook intimidated me more than I cared to admit, I bristled at his veiled order. I would choose my own friends. Taking a sip of water, I said nothing else. Magnus elbowed Cellini. This exchange had captured his attention.

  “Mmm.” Palehook took a bite of potato. “Cornelius tells me you’ve an Unclean friend who’s joined this household as a servant. We typically send the Unclean away, you know. To a colony near Brighton, where they might live peacefully.”

  “I’m sure Rook will be peaceful here,” I said, keeping my tone pleasant. “You have nothing to worry about.”

  Palehook nodded. “We shall see.” Before I could respond, he turned to Blackwood. “Your father designed that system, did he not, Blackwood?”

  “He did,” Blackwood said without looking at Palehook. I got the feeling he didn’t much like the sorcerer. Well, that was at least one thing we had in common.

  “He was a great man. You must be careful not to let down the family name. You work hard, but you haven’t your father’s charm. Well, children cannot inherit everything.”

  Blackwood nodded, his eyes fixed on his plate. “Yes, sir. How right you are.”

  I couldn’t think of any response to this shocking display of rudeness.

  “Cornelius also tells me the boy’s scars probably came from Korozoth,” Palehook said, turning back to me as if nothing had happened. “And as you know, Korozoth often attacks London. This puts all of us in a precarious position. But for you, we will make an exception and allow this boy to live behind the ward.”

  “Rook is the best person I know,” I said, clenching my fist. This was not the time for going up in accidental flames. “The Order is so wise and kind to show him mercy.” I swirled the wine in my glass, watching it catch the candlelight and make a beautiful, glowing pattern of red on the tablecloth.

  Palehook nodded. “Of course. No matter what the cost to us, Miss Howel, we will do most anything to please you.” His words didn’t feel as nice as they sounded. “For women, as we all know, are the most simple and tenderhearted of God’s creatures.”

  My temper rose. I gripped my glass as the fire practically danced under my skin. Palehook seemed the sort to subtly draw out another person’s anger. Everyone had their eyes fixed on us, looking back and forth as if we were characters in a play.

  “Women are tender, of course,” Cellini said, lifting his eyebrows. “Much more tender than men. But women can also be wise. Don’t you find, sir?”

  “Oh, certainly,” Palehook said with a nonchalant wave of his hand.

  “Many sorcerers choose an area in which to become an expert,” Agrippa said, desperate to steer the conversation to a safer shore. “Isaac wants to be a warder, as successful as our dear Master here.” Palehook nodded at the compliment. “And Julian seems to think going into the navy would be a good option.”

  “What’s wrong with the navy? Pounding Nemneris the old Water Spider herself into submission? I think it’s brilliant of me,” Magnus said, humble as ever.

  “What about you?” I asked Lambe, seated beside me. He had barely touched his dinner, preferring to arrange and rearrange the vegetables and meat on his plate into odd shapes.

  “I’ll become a Speaker, a soothsayer,” he whispered. I knew that prophetic ability was rare in the sorcerer community. Lambe was probably the only boy here who’d tested positive for those skills. Honestly, I should have guessed it before. He seemed a bit detached from everything going on around him. He spoke to people as if he were half asleep.

  “Mr. Lambe has quite a talent,” Palehook said.

  “Speakers live in a monastery in Northumberland, on the border of Scotland,” Lambe said. “It will be a quiet life.”

  “There’s no need to go all the way up north,” Wolff said. He frowned. “There’s plenty of work to be done in the Order’s service down here, you know.” It sounded like an argument they’d had several times before. I noticed that whenever Wolff spoke, Lambe lost that dreamy, unfocused look.

  “I must go where I’m needed,” he said. Wolff began cutting into his food with a vengeance, as though his chop had done him some serious wrong.

  “Would nothing compel you to remain in our society?” Palehook asked. Lambe considered this.

  “If the slab of obsidian breaks,” he said slowly, “I will remain.”

  What an odd thing to say.

  “Another toast,” Magnus said, lifting his glass. “To lady sorcerers, and the spirit of change.”

  At the word change, Palehook nearly spit his wine. Magnus winked. Apparently, he had chosen my side. I hoped he’d chosen rightly.

  Gentlemen and ladies spent time apart after supper. Being the only lady, I was forced to wait in the drawing room for fifteen minutes by myself. I paced and stared at portraits. One young woman’s image caught my attention. She was a lovely yellow-haired girl in a blue gown. A placard at the bottom of the frame read GWENDOLYN AGRIPPA.

  There was something familiar about her, though I couldn’t place it. Then I realized that the gown in the painting was the same one I wore now. I flinched and looked away. Poor Agrippa.

  “Sublime, wasn’t she?” a voice behind me said. Palehook helped himself to a glass of brandy. I didn’t like his watchful gaze, and hoped the others would arrive soon. “I always thought Miss Agrippa to be among the brightest lights in our society. Her death was an incalculable loss.” He sipped. “You have much to live up to.”

  “I’m not here to replace Miss Agrippa,” I said, a bit stiffly. “I’m here to become a sorcerer.”

  “Mmm,” he said. “Of course.” He moved away as the others entered the room. I turned back to the portrait, glad to have Palehook’s attention off me. I kept thinking about what he’d said regarding Rook and the colony in Brighton. They wouldn’t send him away, would they? I tried my best to appear at ease, but I doubt I succeeded.

  Twenty minutes later, Palehook mercifully left. We bid farewell at the front door, and I had to let him kiss my hand. He smiled. “Until we meet ag
ain, my dear,” he said, taking his hat and coat and walking out. At last.

  Magnus stood beside me. “What’s wrong?” he whispered. Damn. I wasn’t hiding my feelings as well as I’d hoped.

  “I’m worried about Rook.”

  “Well, we can’t have that. I’ll take you below stairs this instant.” He smiled.

  “Is that really proper?” It wasn’t that I thought the downstairs an unseemly place, more that going anywhere privately with a young man could be bad for my reputation. I had to worry about reputations now. London was not Brimthorn.

  “We might cause a scandal, a young lady and a gentleman going to the kitchen without an escort. We should shock them by baking something together.”

  We slipped down to the servants’ dining area and found them almost through with their supper, the butler and housekeeper at each end of the table, the footmen and the housemaids and Lilly along the sides. They got to their feet as we entered, Lilly with a napkin before her mouth to disguise her chewing.

  “At ease,” Magnus said. He looked about. “Where’s the new boy?”

  “In the kitchen, sir,” the housekeeper said. She was an older woman with a lined and unsmiling face.

  “What’s he doing there?” Magnus asked.

  “Eating his supper, sir.”

  “Why isn’t he eating with the rest of you?” I asked, looking from one face to the next. Lilly twisted her napkin.

  “We thought it’d be more comfortable, miss,” the housekeeper said.

  “Comfortable for whom?” I snapped.

  The housekeeper gave a thin smile. “Comfortable for him, miss. Considering his infirmities, we didn’t want him to feel shame before us. His scars are most unappetizing, but of course he knows that. He shouldn’t be forced to put himself on display as if he were normal.” Her face was cold and blank. If she didn’t watch out, she’d wake up with her blankets on fire one night.

  “Now, see here—”

  “Thank you,” Magnus interrupted, placing a firm hand on my arm. “We’ll let you return to your supper.” He guided me off. Once out of earshot, I pulled away.

  “I suppose you think it’s fine for them to treat Rook this way?” I whispered.

  “Not in the least. I was trying to save him before you made his life even more difficult.” He frowned. “Draw attention to him down here, and they’ll torment him further.”

  “They’re frightened sheep,” I said, though I knew he was right. At least at Brimthorn, Rook had been allowed to eat at the table with the other servants.

  “Give them time. Most people aren’t accustomed to sharing living space with the Unclean.”

  We went into the kitchen and found Rook standing by the window, looking out onto the stables. He was dressed as usual, with no visible scars. Unappetizing indeed. A bowl of stew lay by the fire, untouched.

  When he saw me, his mouth fell open. “Nettie. You’re, well, quite lovely,” he said, looking me up and down. My face warmed at the compliment.

  “Thank you,” I said. Magnus snorted. “Are you getting on all right?”

  “Certainly better than Brimthorn, isn’t it?” He hadn’t answered the question. “What’s happened upstairs?”

  “The Imperator agreed to my training. Master Agrippa wants to take me to the queen for commendation. Can you believe it?” My smile stretched wider with every word I spoke.

  “You’ll be the greatest sorcerer of the age.” Rook didn’t sound nearly as excited as I’d hoped he would be.

  “Oh, will she?” Magnus said, studying his fingernails. “Where does that leave me? Handsomest sorcerer of the age? I’m more than just a pretty face, you know.”

  “I meant no offense, sir,” Rook said.

  I didn’t like him calling Magnus “sir.” “Why don’t you stand by the door outside, Mr. Magnus? I’ll be finished soon,” I said firmly.

  “Ah, I only meant to tease. If there’s one thing Miss Howel loves, it’s a bit of teasing.” He clapped Rook hard on the shoulder. “I’ve noticed that already, upon such a short acquaintance. But you knew that, surely? You being so close.” Rook gently but firmly took himself out of the other fellow’s grip.

  “I’ve noticed much, sir,” he said. There was a coldness in his look that I hadn’t seen before.

  “So have I. Well, I shall wait to escort you back upstairs, Miss Howel.” He left with a bow. What a tiresome young man.

  Rook nodded toward the door after Magnus had gone. “He seems to like you.”

  “Sadly, that feeling is not mutual.” I spoke a bit louder than necessary. Around the corner, I heard a laugh.

  “It’s good to see you with others of your rank,” he said. Lord, not this again. “Don’t argue—you know it’s true. Magic sorts, Nettie. You belong in their world now.”

  “You make it all sound so formal,” I said, letting my irritation show.

  Before we could continue this discussion, Lilly appeared and cleared her throat in the doorway. She fidgeted with her apron.

  “What is it?” I smiled.

  “Rook, you must help. There’s trouble outside with Master Palehook’s carriage,” she said, sounding rather breathless. Rook nodded by way of thanks. Lilly made a strange sound and accidentally banged against the doorframe on the way out. Apparently Rook had an admirer. I shifted uncomfortably.

  “I’m glad he’s going,” Rook said. “He asked the most peculiar questions.”

  “Who? Master Palehook?” A chill walked down my spine.

  “That thin one, yes. He was very interested in me.”

  “What did he ask you?” I murmured, deep in thought.

  “Where’d I come by my scars, did they hurt, did I ever feel urges to run away or do things I couldn’t control.” Rook frowned. “I don’t like him, Nettie.”

  “I don’t like him, either.”

  “Don’t let him near you more than necessary.”

  “I can’t exactly order him about, can I?”

  “Oh, I don’t know. You handled the young gentleman nicely,” he said, mimicking Magnus with an exaggerated bow. I laughed. Once Rook had gone, I turned the corner to find Magnus leaning against the wall, waiting for me.

  “I am here to spirit you back upstairs. Don’t swoon,” he said.

  “I’ll try not to.” I rolled my eyes and brushed past him. Emerging into the foyer, we found servants dimming the lamps. Everyone else had gone to bed.

  “Well,” he said as we climbed the stairs, “congratulations. You’ve survived your first dinner with bloody Master Palehook. An Incumbent rite of passage. This calls for celebrations. I’d compose a sonnet on the occasion, but all I can think of that rhymes with Palehook is bailbook.”

  “It can wait till morning,” I said. “Thank you for your help.”

  I turned to walk down the hall but stopped when Magnus said, “By the by, I hope you won’t set me on fire for asking this.” He leaned against the banister. “But I have to know: How long has that boy been in love with you?”

  All the air left my lungs. When I managed to speak again, I said, “Rook is not in love with me. He’s been my friend since we were children.”

  “All right, all right.” Magnus tried to hush me.

  “No.” I gripped the railing. Between Palehook’s veiled threats during dinner and Magnus’s behavior downstairs, I could no longer contain myself. “You shouldn’t make comments like that. And you shouldn’t tease him like you did in the kitchen.”

  “Steady on,” Magnus said. He frowned.

  “He’s a servant. He’s not allowed to answer back to you. It’s easy to poke fun at the world and think yourself clever, but it’s much harder to stand silent and endure.” With that, I turned for my room. Magnus stepped in front of me, blocking my exit.

  “You’re right,” he said, bowing his head. “I behaved badly. The problem with being the adored only son of a widow is that everything I do is made out to be clever, even when it isn’t. Please accept my apology.”

  I wasn’t su
re how to respond. “Well…you should apologize to Rook as well.”

  He nodded. “I shall.”

  I hadn’t expected to win the argument this easily. “Then thank you.”

  “Of course. Actually, I like when women yell at me. It makes a nice change from all those adoring love letters.” He posed tragically. I laughed; I couldn’t help myself. “In all seriousness, I never meant to insult your friend. It’s wonderful, you two being thick as thieves.” He tilted his head. “You must have had an unusual upbringing.”

  “To say the least.” I wasn’t sure why I should say this to Magnus of all people, but there was something genuine in his interest. “Rook was the one steady part of my childhood.”

  “In that case, he’s a lucky young man,” Magnus said. “Anyone who could be so indispensible to you would be fortunate indeed. Forgive me?”

  I felt strangely hot. Were young men allowed to give such compliments? “Of course.”

  “Anyway, I don’t mean to push in where I’m unwelcome. It’s just that I haven’t been this excited since the Christmas when I was eight years old.”

  “Why?” I found myself smiling.

  “Because our cook made two plum puddings at my request. I was sick for days, but, oh, it was worth it.”

  “No,” I said, rolling my eyes. “I mean, why are you excited now?”

  “Because you’re going to be a lady sorcerer. I think the idea of women doing proper magic is brilliant. Those stuffy Order meetings and congregations will liven up considerably with a few petticoats thrown into the mix.” We walked slowly down the hall toward my door.

  “Well, it sounds as if you take the concept of female sorcery quite seriously.”

  “I never take anything seriously, but I am delighted by the thought of ladies working magic. Women raised me, you know. My mother and my grandmother, God rest her soul. I had a governess, Miss Watkins, whom I simply adored. Ladies are so much cleverer than gentlemen. They enjoy good conversation and great fun, two things without which I cannot live.”

  “Life truly is just a game to you, isn’t it?” I said, almost impressed.