Read Online Magic Under Glass by Jaclyn Dolamore - Free Book Online

for him to start playing. He obliged, starting a merry tune, ending our conversation for that day.
    I kept the papers with the words I’d written hidden in my valise. I took them out and stared at them more times than I cared to admit. In this way, I managed to keep up the conversation over several days without forgetting what to say next.
    I asked where he’d come from.
    TELMIRRA, he spelled.
    “I feel I’ve heard of it . . . in a story . . .”
    WEST. OUR CAPITAL.
    “The fairy capital? Are you a fairy?”
    YES.
    I thought I hid my surprise well, finding he was one of the fairies Mr. Parry had warned me of. Or, at least, he had been. “What happened to you?”
    ENCHANTMENT.
    “How long ago?”
    He hesitated. TOO LONG.
    “Years?”
    He disregarded my question. GARVIN’S DEATH SUSPICIOUS.
    “Why? What do you mean? Oh, you probably don’t have time to answer anyway.” I could have cried with frustration for how slowly the answers trickled from his fingers.
    NOT FAIRIES.
    “There are fairy bandits, though, aren’t there? I don’t mean to insult your—your people. I’m not sure I’d blame them, sometimes. But if I’m going to help you, I need to know at least a little of what’s going on.”
    He hesitated. I COULD BE WRONG. TIMES CHANGED.
    “Did fairies and humans get along better in the past?”
    THERE WAS PEACE ONCE. NO WALL. His faint exhalation sounded sad.
    “I suppose war always comes at some point when countries are neighbors. Especially if fairies and humans are so different.”
    “Mmm,” he agreed. I THINK GARVIN WAS KILLED TO PREVENT ALLIANCE.
    “Alliance with the fairies?”
    YES.
    “Who would do such a thing? Who are his rivals?”
    COUNCIL.
    “The Sorcerer’s Council?”
    “Mmm.”
    “But Garvin was the head of the council. Are you saying it was a conspiracy?”
    NOT SURE.
    “And Garvin died before he got a chance to free you?”
    “Mmm . . .” Regret infused his only sound.

8
    That evening, I dined again with Mr. Parry in the tower room. I knew I must not think of Erris, must not ponder what I’d ask him when we next spoke, or what his answers would be. Mr. Parry must think he held all my attention, or everything would unravel.
    “Did you practice with the automaton this morning, Miss Nimira?”
    “Hmm? Oh. Yes. Yes, of course.”
    “He hasn’t started howling and waving his arms around?” Mr. Parry smirked.
    “Oh, no, sir. He’s been very well behaved.” I gathered peas onto my spoon.
    “How stiff you sound. I thought we’d moved past that at the picnic. I’d like you to feel comfortable around me.”
    “Oh, Mr. Parry, I assure you I am quite comfortable.”
    “You can call me Hollin. Maybe that will help.”
    I doubted it.
    “I’ve sent for the dressmaker from Pelswater to make you a gown,” he said. “For your performances.”
    “A gown! How exciting; I’ve never owned a gown.” I tried to summon the appropriate enthusiasm. I might have been excited at any other time.
    “Unfortunately, I’m not sure we’ll have it before Mr. Smollings pays a visit. He’ll be coming sooner than I expected. He’s eager to see the automaton.” For all Hollin’s talk of my stiffness, he said this in a very scripted tone.
    “Oh?” I had a dreadful suspicion this could be more than idle curiosity. “And he is an old friend of yours?”
    “Not my old friend,” he corrected. “He was a friend of my father’s. Since he is head of the Sorcerer’s Council, an office to which I aspire . . . we must make him welcome, however unpleasant his company might be.”
    Unpleasant? Oh dear. Mention of the Sorcerer’s Council already struck dread within my heart.
    “What does the Sorcerer’s Council do?” I asked, hoping to gather insight.
    “They set the rules for magical usage in Lorinar, and handle diplomacy with the magical races. The fairies, particularly, since we have the most trouble with them.”
    “What sort of trouble is it, exactly? I thought you said they were