Thief’s Magic by Trudi Canavan Read Free Book Online Page B

parts for making insectoids. A few partially made beetles, hoverflies and arachnids sat within rings of components needed to finish them. The cleaners had learned long ago not to disturb anything, so all was covered in a fine layer of finger-marked dust – thicker away from the central work area. Tyen did most of his studying and essay writing while sitting on the bed.
    I wonder if Kilraker will make me help catalogue Neel and Miko’s finds
, he thought.
Perhaps he’ll take pity on me, since I didn’t find anything. Then I can finish these
.
The insectoids always found eager buyers, especially the customised ones with special abilities like playing tunes, or imprinted with specific commands.
    “Beetle,” Tyen called. A whirr came from his satchel as the insectoid came to life. “Come.” One side of the bag’s flap lifted and the little machine emerged, scuttling to the edge of the bed, its auditory antennae waving. “Guard the room,” Tyen ordered.
    Iridescent wings sprang open then blurred, carrying the insectoid up and over to the door. It landed and scurried into the gap beneath. Tyen smiled. Miko’s habit of barging in without knocking had been one of the reasons he’d created the insectoid in the first place.
    With most of his gear stowed away, he sprawled on the bed and dragged the satchel closer. Taking Vella out, he considered where he should keep her.
    Hide her?
Knowing Tyen’s luck, Miko would burst in just as he was slipping her in whatever hiding place he came up with.
Tell Miko about her?
He shook his head. It wasn’t that he didn’t trust Miko, but the young man lost the ability to keep secrets when he was drunk. Though he remained good at keeping his own secrets, so perhaps he would stay silent because Tyen knew about the poible he’d kept.
    And that was another point.
If Miko can keep something, why shouldn’t I?
    Because Vella is no mere bauble.
He sighed as the same old arguments ran through his mind. Disobeying the Academy made him uneasy, but Gowel’s story of the Academy letting discoveries go to waste worried him. He needed time to think about it, and in the meantime … around Miko he would simply behave as if Vella was an ordinary book. He might even be able to read her while Miko was around, though he’d still have to make sure he angled the book so his friend didn’t see the text appearing on the paper. Perhaps he’d tell Miko she was a boring textbook.
No, he won’t believe that if he sees me reading it all the time
. Perhaps a book about magic – something that sounded difficult and complicated. And if Miko still grew curious enough to investigate?
Perhaps Vella can make herself look like an ordinary, boring textbook.
    Opening the cover, Tyen looked down at the first, blank page.
    I can’t do that. It would be a lie, and I cannot lie.
    Can you say nothing at all then?
    No. Remember, I must reply to questions if I know the answer. People often think in questions. He has only to think “What is this?” or “Why is Tyen reading a book with no text in it?” and I will have to answer.
    I see. Though Miko is more likely to ask “When’s dinner?” or “Can I owe you for that?”
    Both questions that he knows the answer to, therefore I know the answer to, and must reply.
    Tyen chuckled as he pictured
that
conversation. Would Miko, like Tyen, find Vella’s honesty refreshingly frank or be put off by it?
    From what I see of him in your mind, his taste in women tends towards those who offer physical rather than intellectual interaction.
    You are – I am – probably right.
At least Miko knew how to relate to women in one way.
Unlike me … could Vella help with that?
    Probably. Mostly because you are wrong to think you don’t understand women. You understand more than you believe. Men and women’s minds are not as different as you have been taught.
    The world was different when you were whole. Women were different.
    People stay the same. Only culture changes: traditions,