The Conquering Dark: Crown by Clay Griffith, Susan Griffith Clay Griffith Read Free Book Online Page B

breakfast.”
    â€œNonsense. She just wanted to continue her work on the key.” Simon pulled a gold chain from his waistcoat pocket and twirled it. It felt particularly empty because normally there would have been a special gold key attached to the end. It was his prized possession, even though he didn’t truly own it. “Ever since the key started working again, she works on it all the time. And why wouldn’t she? It is one of the greatest magical items ever created. Such a simple object having the power of instantaneous transportation around the globe is still so incredible. Just as incredible, Penny seems close to understanding the engineering concepts your father used to design it. She is confident that she’ll be able to replicate the construction and build working copies.” He spun the empty chain a few more times, then watched it fall limp in his hand. “Penny is ever the optimist. She keeps forging facsimiles even though she knows I can’t inscribe and empower them, as my father did to the original.” Simon tucked the chain into his waistcoat with a sigh. “Well, fortunately we still have that one marvelous key, and by some miracle, it still works. It has served us in the past, and no doubt will in the future.”
    â€œIf the key has reconnected to the aether, there’s no reason you won’t as well,” Kate said with practiced sympathy. “You were both drained by Ra at the same time. Clearly, there’s a limit to the persistence of the magic-eater’s power.”
    â€œClearly. Although we did destroy the mummy months ago. The key has come back admirably. Me?” Simon pantomimed removing a hat from his head and holding it out in front of him. He reached into the invisible hat, then drew out his hand with the flourish of a stage magician. He slowly uncurled his fingers to reveal that his hand was empty. “I can’t even pull a hedgehog out of my hat.”
    â€œOne day you will.”
    Simon was grateful for Kate’s endless confidence whether she actually felt it or was just saying it to prevent his having a bout of self-pity. So he quickly unwrapped what appeared to be a pile of scorched crust. “These are delicious. It’s a meat pie.”
    â€œI know what it is, but I don’t want to know what sort of meat.” Kate poised a fork over the pie before setting the utensil on the table with a sigh. “Simon, really, we’re not without resources. Can’t you arrange a servant to keep the house ready for occasional use?”
    â€œNo. Not with my interests. It’s too dangerous.” He was again almost unconsciously sketching keys and runes onto the paper bag.
    â€œI have the same interests as you plus a preference for edible meals. I have servants at Hartley Hall, and my home is certainly as dangerous as yours.”
    â€œAgreed.” Simon lifted the fork and slipped it back into her hand. “Here, you dropped this. I assume your father gave your servants to understand they were in for peculiar times. And you pay them many times the going rate.”
    Kate prodded the pie listlessly while Simon seized one by hand and began to devour it. Malcolm entered the kitchen and, without a word, took up one of the doughy things and started eating.
    â€œNo Barker,” Malcolm said to Simon through a mouthful of meat pie. “So you came to your senses?”
    Simon poured coffee for Malcolm. “No, he’s still asleep. He’s staying as long as he likes. We’re taking him on faith.”
    Malcolm nodded with thanks and drank. “I know my judgment has no leverage after how I argued against Charlotte, but I’ll say it anyway. Nick Barker is a bad man. To my mind, there’s nothing admirable about him. There, I’ve said it. I’m done with the topic.”
    â€œNoted.” Simon pointed his fork questioningly at Kate’s pie. She pushed it to him. He took a huge bite.