Thaumatology 101 by Niall Teasdale Read Free Book Online Page B

black cane, though he did not seem like he needed help walking. He was smiling at Ceri, waiting for her to begin.
    ‘Who comes seeking passage over this threshold?’ Ceri said, trying to sound confident.
    ‘Carter James Fleming,’ he replied. He had a soft voice, pleasant, but there was an underlying confidence to it. ‘I seek entry to this home, bringing nothing but myself.’ It was not quite true, there was a box on the ground by his feet, but it was the thought that counted.
    ‘Enter with no ill will,’ Ceri said. ‘No harm will befall a true guest of this house. I am Ceridwyn Brent and I welcome you, Carter James Fleming, into my home.’ Between them, in the unmarked stone of the hallway, there was a brief flare of light in the shape of a complex rune. Ceri bowed across the flaring sigil, and Carter returned the gesture.
    As the light died Lily let out a breath. ‘Ceri… you did magic,’ she said, her voice sounding both awed and worried.
    Ceri giggled and Carter let out a soft chuckle as he stepped into the entrance hall, closing the doors behind him. ‘No, my dear Lily,’ Carter said, ‘her parents did that magic years ago.’
    ‘Huh?’ Lily responded.
    ‘It’s one of the house enchantments,’ Ceri said, smiling and taking Carter’s offered hand. He had a firm grip and smooth skin. ‘My father’s, actually. It works for the master, or mistress, of the house, whether they’re magical or not.’
    Carter nodded. ‘I understood you were a good theoretician, Miss Brent, but I see that you understand the practicalities as well.’
    Ceri smiled at the compliment and shrugged slightly. ‘I was always fascinated by magic. Mum and Dad always let me watch when they were working, so long as it wasn’t anything too dangerous.’ He was still holding her hand and she was starting to feel a little uncomfortable. She looked at him and smiled a little nervously. He had the most gorgeous green eyes.
    ‘Good afternoon, Mister Fleming.’ Twill’s voice came from the area of the stairs. Carter’s hand released and Ceri turned, hiding the slight flush on her cheeks. ‘Would you care for a drink?’ Twill added.
    ‘This is Twill,’ Lily said.
    Carter stepped forward and bowed rather formally to the hovering fairy. Twill had put on her little Greek-style, single-shoulder tunic. It was short and white, but it did at least hide her tiny body. ‘Good afternoon, Lady Twill,’ Carter said. ‘I trust that I have not intruded upon your territory and I would greatly appreciate… Is tea available?’
    Twill looked slightly taken aback at his deference. ‘Any friend of Lily’s is welcome,’ she said. ‘Would Camomile be good?’ Ceri bit her lip. Twill had never managed to persuade either of her housemates that her tea was drinkable.
    ‘That would be perfect,’ he said. As far as Ceri could tell, he was actually being genuine. Twill nodded meekly and vanished toward the kitchen, a blaze of golden light.
    ‘You made her happy,’ Ceri commented. ‘Come on, we’ll go up to the lounge. It’s a bit more formal than it sounds, but it is comfy.’ She turned, leading the way up the stairs.
    With Carter in one of the big armchairs, Ceri in the other, and Lily perched on a footstool beside her, the half-demon looked suspiciously like she was playing at being Ceri’s pet. Ceri gave her one quick glance, but there seemed to be no real reason for the submissive posture and Ceri decided she was imagining it.
    ‘I wanted to add my best wishes for your quick recovery, Miss Brent,’ Carter said.
    Twill floated in, followed by a tray with a tea cup and two coffee mugs on it. As the tray arrived near Carter, he took his cup and nodded politely to the fairy.
    ‘Ceri,’ she said, ‘and thank you. I was a little surprised when Lily said you were coming.’
    Carter smiled. ‘Ceri then. In which case, you’ll call me Carter. As for the visit, call it “protecting my investment.”’
    ‘I’m sorry?’
    He smiled. He