Carry On by Rainbow Rowell Read Free Book Online Page B

not sure what he’s getting at. “Sir?”
    â€œThe Coven has secured a place for you. And a private tutor. I can’t talk about the details now—but I’ll take you there myself. We’ll leave soon; I need to be back by nightfall.”
    â€œYou want me to leave Watford?”
    He narrows his eyes. The Mage hates to repeat himself. “Yes. You won’t need to pack much. Your boots and your cloak, any artefacts you want to keep—”
    â€œSir, I can’t leave Watford. Our lessons start this week.”
    He cocks his head. “Simon. You’re not a child. There’s nothing more for you to learn at Watford.”
    Maybe he’s right. I’m a hopeless student; it’s not like this year is going to make or break me, but still … “I can’t leave Watford. It’s my last year.”
    The Mage rubs his beard. His eyes narrow to slits.
    â€œI just can’t,” I say again. I try to think of why not, but all that comes to me is no. I can’t leave Watford. I’ve been waiting all summer to get here. I’ve been waiting my whole life. I’m always either at Watford or wishing I was at Watford, and next year that will change—it has to—but not yet. “No,” I say. “I can’t.”
    â€œSimon”—his voice is stern—“this isn’t a suggestion. Your life is at stake. And the entire World of Mages is depending on you.”
    I feel like arguing that point: Baz isn’t depending on me. None of the magicians who stand with the House of Pitch believe I’m their saviour.…
    I grind my teeth so tight, I can practically feel the shape of them. I shake my head.
    The Mage frowns down at me like I’m a child who’s refusing to listen. “Hasn’t it ever occurred to you, Simon, that the Humdrum attacks you only when you’re here?”
    â€œHas it just now occurred to you?” I swallow. “Sir,” I add too late.
    â€œI don’t understand this!” he says, raising his voice. “You’ve never questioned my decisions before.”
    â€œYou’ve never asked me to leave Watford before!”
    His face is hard. “Simon, we’re at war. Do I need to remind you of that?”
    â€œNo, sir.”
    â€œAnd we all make sacrifices at wartime.”
    â€œBut we’ve always been at war,” I say. “As long as I’ve been here. We can’t just stop living because we’re at war.”
    â€œCan’t we?” He’s finally lost his temper. He jerks his hand back down to the hilt of his sword. “Look at me, Simon. Have you ever known me to indulge myself with a normal life? Where is my wife? My children? Where’s my house in the country with my cosy chair and a fat cocker spaniel to bring me my slippers? When do I go on holiday? When do I take a break? When do I do anything other than prepare for the battle ahead? We don’t get to ignore our responsibilities because we’re bored with them.”
    My head drops down like he’s shoved it. “I’m not bored,” I mutter.
    â€œSpeak up.”
    I lift my head. “I’m not bored, sir.”
    Our eyes meet.
    â€œGet dressed. Gather your things.…”
    I feel every muscle in my body grab. Every joint lock. “No.”
    I can’t. I just got here. And this summer was the worst summer yet. I held on because I was coming to Watford at the end of it, but I can’t hold on any longer. I don’t have it in me. My reserves are empty, and the Mage won’t even tell me where he wants me to go—and what about Penny? And Agatha?
    I’m shaking my head. I hear the Mage take in a sharp breath, and when I look up, there’s a haze of red between us.
    Fuck. No.
    He steps away from me. “Simon,” he says. His wand is out. “Stay cool!”
    I fumble for my own wand and start running through spells. “Keep it