The Spark of a Feudling by Wendy Knight Read Free Book Online Page B

before, when she’d snuck them away from the man during dinner, but they all looked the same and she had no choice but to try them one by one. With each screech as she slid the key in the lock, her blood seemed to freeze and her choice of words grew more colorful.
    It took four tries before the lock finally clicked. Checking once more over her shoulder, she pushed the heavy double doors just hard enough that she could squeeze inside, and shut it behind her. Then she hurried over to her father’s desk.
    It was covered with missives of all kinds. Swallowing hard, she picked up the top one and scanned it, grateful that Governess Buttercroft believed a lady should be able to read as well as throw a lirik . It was from someone with a very French-sounding name, asking for aid and information. Sickened, she dropped the page and grabbed the next. The same, from Spain. Each and every letter on his desk was from one side of the war or the other, asking for the powerful Edren family’s help, for weapons, soldiers, and secrets. My father is a spy. A traitor to the Crown.
    But nothing on seers. She dug through his drawers, searching for hidden panels. Failing that, she climbed underneath and felt along the floorboards, but there was nothing. Finally, she turned to the walls lined with books, running her finger frantically over the dusty spines. There was not one titled How One Might Steal a Seer’s Sight , so she looked for general spell books or ledgers. Finally, she pulled one that looked ancient and was only partially hidden in the shadows, and flipped it open. Dust exploded into the air and she sneezed violently, three times in a row.
    â€œBless you, daughter.”
    Ada screeched and dropped the book, whirling. “Daddy.”
    He leaned against the doorframe, watching her for who knew how long. “What are you doing?” he asked, looking pointedly at the book lying at her feet.
    â€œI—” She had no idea what to say. I think you’re trying to steal my best friend’s gift and I’m trying to prove it. Yes, probably not that.
    â€œThat’s a very old spell book to be throwing on the floor.”
    Ada hastily crouched, grabbing the book to her chest. “I’m sorry. I just… I…” Spell book. Right. “I was looking for spells.”
    â€œGoverness Buttercroft isn’t teaching you the spells you need?” Richard raised a dark eyebrow, but otherwise didn’t move. Luckily, his hands, and their dangerous flames, were crossed behind him.
    â€œYes.” Ada lifted her head. “She is. But those aren’t the spells I’m looking for.”
    Richard’s cold blue eyes studied her for several minutes. She refused to look away, clenching her teeth tight against his stare. “What spells, exactly, are you looking for?” he finally asked, the air around him practically crackling.
    â€œThe spells you do. The ones you made up that no one else knows. I want to learn those spells.”
    His entire countenance changed. He straightened, his face alight. “You want to learn my spells?”
    â€œYes.”
    â€œWhy didn’t you just ask me?” He strode toward her, removing the book from her hands and returning it to its place on the shelf.
    Why indeed. Think, Ada . “I was afraid you would say no, that it wasn’t a woman’s place to know spells that…” cruel , she thought, “painful,” she said aloud.
    â€œNormal women, yes. But you, Ada, you are not normal.” He beamed with pride, taking her shoulders and smiling into her face. “You are already one of the most powerful sorcerers the Edrens have ever seen. I can make you into the most powerful sorcerer the world will ever know.”
    Something clicked in Ada’s mind, a memory of a very young Charity, eyes glowing, saying in her hollowed out voice, “She’s not the most powerful. There will be another one, one day, who puts her