Story Thieves by James Riley Read Free Book Online Page A

her. He’d tricked her! Had he said all that stuff about the location spell as a way to fool her into bringing him into the book?
    â€œI know what you’re going to say,” Owen told her, backing away from what must have been a pretty upsetting look on her face.
    â€œOh, I don’t think you have any idea what I want to say,”she told him, her voice dangerously low. How could this have happened? Would the readers see them, after he’d just yelled out to them? Would it change the next book that hadn’t come out yet?
    Owen held up both his hands in surrender. “I’m sorry, I really am, but it had to be done! He was going to kill the Magister! How could I let that happen? Besides, as of right now, I don’t think anyone’s even noticed that you’re here, so your secret should still be safe—”
    â€œAnd who might you two be?” said an old, half-amused voice. Owen flinched, while Bethany spun around, hoping that whoever it was intended to shoot fireballs or something at Owen.
    A man wearing robes down past his feet and a beard past his robes stepped over to them, his eyes twinkling, his hat twitching like a living thing. “Visitors!” the Magister said with a wide smile. “And I hope with no intention of killing me? That’s my favorite kind of visitor. And what brings you to my tower?”
    â€œDon’t. Say. Anything,” Bethany whispered, trying to step back into the shadows. “We’re going. Now. ”
    She grabbed for Owen’s hand, but he pulled it just out of reach. “I came to save you, Your Magister-ness,” Owen said.“It was all me. My plan, no one else’s. I heard about Dr. Verity trying to kill you, so I figured I should stop that.” He shrugged. “You know, no big deal. Something anyone would have done, if they’d thought of it. And been brave enough. Like I pretty much was.”
    â€œSaved me?” the Magister said, then gave him a curious look. “Then you have my everlasting thanks. But you also have my curiosity.” He sniffed the air. “You don’t smell as if you’re from Magisteria. Or Quanterium, for that matter. You smell . . . distant .”
    Despite his friendliness, the Magister’s tone gave Bethany a chill. She grabbed for Owen’s hand again, but this time he smacked her hand away, and she almost punched him.
    â€œDistant is a good word,” Owen told him. “Where I’m from, we’re all big fans of yours. And Kiel’s.”
    â€œI have fans, do I?” the Magister said, his eyes twinkling. “What a curious thing. And how did you learn of me? I don’t recall visiting a land with people like you in my travels. Perhaps Kiel has?” He gestured for them to sit down. “He should be back in a moment, if you’d like to wait.”
    Dr. Verity moaned, and the Magister’s gaze fell on the scientist. “Ah, my good doctor,” the Magister said. “This boy seemsto have done me a great favor. Not only did he protect me, but he left you vulnerable to my tender mercies.” The Magister gestured, and the mad doctor’s body sprang into the air. Snakelike chains slithered up from hidden parts of the study to wrap themselves around the scientist until no part of him except his head was uncovered.
    Dr. Verity screamed in rage, jerking his head around to no avail. “You couldn’t have seen me coming!” he shouted. “It’s impossible! I had this planned out, and you were meant to die, tonight !”
    The Magister looked him right in the face. “Oh, but I didn’t, Doctor. See you coming or die, for that matter. In fact, I still don’t know how these children knew of your attack.” One finger flicked on his right hand, and invisible hands yanked Bethany out into the light. “The boy has spoken, but you have not, my dear,” the Magister said, turning to face her.