The Enchanter Heir by Cinda Williams Chima Read Free Book Online

rock and roll. Part musician, part tech guru, part artist, part cutthroat promoter, part healer/pharmacist/drug dealer. A self-created sorcerer turned savant.
    Gabriel had found a kindred spirit in Rudy Severino, who’d helped design and build the security system. Jonah was never sure how much of Rudy’s talent was extreme nerdistry and how much was magic, but when Rudy built systems, they worked like a charm.
    The three of them climbed the narrow staircase to the second floor, then waited while the iris biometrics scanner did its thing. The locking mechanism shifted, and they were in.
    The outer office was where Gabriel met music-industry big shots, prospective clients, venue owners, talent, and the like. The walls were lined with photographs—Gabriel at the Rock and Roll Hall of Fame induction ceremonies; Gabriel with an array of up-and-coming musicians; with the governor, the mayor. Gabriel introducing eight-year-old Jonah to the president.
    At least Gabriel had put away the big-eyed Jonah posters when Jonah threatened to go on strike. Even though they’d been fund-raising gold.
    It was the first of many small battles between Jonah and Gabriel. Jonah’s failed rescue of Jeanette had begun as an unauthorized investigation of the healer’s disappearance. His brother, Kenzie, had helped him track her down via the Web, which might mean the Kinlock brothers were in trouble again.
    It would be worth it if it forced Gabriel’s hand. He can’t ignore this, Jonah thought. He can’t.
    Patrick looked up from the reception desk. He served the dual role of personal assistant and bodyguard. “Jonah!” he said. “Glad you’re back! You three can go on in. The others are already here.” He buzzed them in.
    Gabriel’s private office enshrined the sorcerer’s wideranging interests. A large showcase to the left of the door displayed an array of antique bottles—some extremely elaborate, in glass, metal, and enamel, with jeweled stoppers. Others were time-blackened, their tops layered in yellowing wax.
    One wall showcased images of tattoos, in color and black-and-white. They represented just a fraction of Gabriel’s designs, many of which were inked into his skin. Skin art was the sorcerer’s tool Gabriel worked with most often, art that protected and healed. Many of the students at the Keep were Scovered with Gabriel’s work. It was the therapy that kept them alive and functioning a little while longer. Another gallery displayed line drawings of botanicals, reflecting his intense interest in drugs and medicinals.
    The other slayers were sprawled around the conference area. It was glass on three sides, overlooking the Flats and the lake beyond. Leather couches and ottomans surrounded a low granite table with a platter of sandwiches and snacks.
    Alison Shaw was there, of course. Charlie Dugard and Thérèse Fortenay from Europe, and Mike Joplin from South America. Like Jonah, they were still nominally in high school. Even Mose Butterfield was there. He’d been too ill to deploy for the past year, but the others pretended he’d be going back out again. Gabriel must have told them about Jeanette, because they all wore glum, dispirited expressions.
    This was as large a quorum as they ever had. Most of Gabriel’s shadeslayers were in the field at any given time, hunting shades—their former classmates, families, neighbors, and friends—the undead victims of Thorn Hill. Making the world safer for everyone but themselves.
    Unfolding to his feet, Gabriel crossed to where Jonah stood, just inside the door. Embracing him, he said, “Glad you’re safe. I just wish you’d brought better news.” Gabriel looked into Jonah’s face for another long moment before he let him go.
    Well, Jonah thought, at least we’re not going to argue about my going after Jeanette.
    Gabriel’s eyes were riveting, his pupils unusually large, all but obscuring their irises, so that his eyes seemed to swallow you. Whether it was his natural