The Spellbinder (Tom & Laura Series) by John Booth Read Free Book Online Page A

increasingly sophisticated war machine.
    Initially, Lord Magus’s squad was under Army control, but after much debate and acrimony a separate branch of the War Department was created. The Military Magic Department (MMD) manages the detection, education, recruitment, training and deployment of the magically talented to the Army and Royal Navy. It also took on the role of military intelligence as it related to use of magic and the safety of its charges. Its intelligence branch MM3 is feared and respected in equal measure, both abroad and at home.
     
    - from A Short History of Military Magics by Sir Anthony Barrett
     
    Tom and Laura entered the impressive building that was MM3 headquarters, though all it stated on the doors was Ministry of War – Lord Magus House. The building was finished in the finest Portland Stone. Just like the British Museum , itself a new building and the best that money could buy.
    Tom felt the power of the Empire reflected in the stone around him. He knew how much stock the Queen placed in her military magicians.
    A few years ago, Prince Albert had come close to death from consumption before a Healer restored him to health. From that day forth the Military Magic Department held a special place in Queen Victoria ’s heart. They also provided the means to fulfill the Queen’s desire to make her Empire supreme and to take up her position in history as Britain ’s greatest ruler.
    Prince Albert , in particular, was keen to develop magic to reach its full potential. He was renowned as an innovator, delighting in scientific discoveries, while his devotion to his Queen and Empire were the stuff of legend. He pushed the Empire to the forefront of science and technology despite itself.
    The Queen’s smiling face beamed down at them from a massive picture as they followed Trelawney into the bowels of the building. They came to an inner courtyard with a garden and a fountain that took Laura’s breath away. They were led across the courtyard and up several flights of ornate stairs to an office overlooking both the River Thames and the Houses of Parliament.
    They saw the steam trains looking almost like toys as they crossed the mud brown river. As the light of day faded the lanterns on both sides of the Thames lit up and their light reflected across the river. Trelawney clicked a switch and lit the office in the glow of the newfangled electric lighting spreading rapidly through the richer parts of London .
    Tom found electric lighting slightly threatening. Older buildings like those in his school still use dependable oil and gas lighting. Tom could easily refill and light a traditional lamp, but what did you do if your electricity failed?
    As Trelawney sat at his desk a black suited man came into the room and gave him a note. He scanned it and looked bitterly disappointed. Laura and Tom sat down and he addressed them.
    “It looks as though this Carmichael youth you identified was indeed the guilty party. He has been found dead in his room. He appears to have stabbed himself to death. No one else was involved.”
    Tom felt a quiver of shock run through him. Even though Carmichael had tried to kill him, Tom wasn’t sure he deserved to die in such a manner. And suicide was a serious thing, a defiance of God’s law. Carmichael ’s parents would not be allowed to bury him in consecrated ground. In some parts of the country his body would end up buried at a crossroads in an unmarked grave and with a stake through his heart. To Tom, that fate seemed almost worse than dying.
    Trelawney smiled warmly at them.
    “I would like you both to spend the night here in Lord Magus House. We have suitable guest apartments on the uppermost floor and you will find our facilities are comparable to the finest hotels. Tomorrow we will discuss what might be done to ensure your continued safety.”
    “Thank you, sir, but that is hardly necessary,” Laura said in as firm a manner as she dared. She wanted to return to her home