Shadow Phantoms - H.P. Mallory Page 0,48

was relatively sure he had selected to mock the King’s Alliance).

I listened hard to all those present, but none of them appeared to be Sinjin. Typical. I knew Sinjin and thought it likely he just couldn’t be bothered attending, thus he most likely sent someone in his place. Almost completely lacking in ambition, now that he had safe-guarded his own people, Sinjin was happy enough for the other races to do whatever they pleased, as long as it didn’t affect him or require him to actually do anything. I remembered Sinjin when he still had goals and the energy to accomplish them—it was sad to see what he had become.

It was also irritating. I needed an ally and I had hoped Sinjin might be it. He could certainly provide the sort of manpower I needed. He might be indolent these days, but the vampire had a dark side that helped him to see a threat when it raised its head. The rest of these fools would be harder to convince.

“Any other business?” asked the red chair, looking about, and with a tone in his voice that suggested he was already mentally on his way to the bar.

I raised my hand.

“The chair recognizes the green chair.”

I inclined my head and rose, determined to make this a memorable address. It was mainly for the benefit of Sinjin’s representative, but perhaps I could pick up more support along the way. “Members of the Masked Magistrates, I come before you with grave news of a possible threat to this little corner of peace that we have been able to carve out of the regrettable fall of the Underworld.” I had spent some time crafting the speech and I felt it was well-worded. “I have been the subject of an assassination attempt.”

The whispered shock around the circular table was gratifying to hear.

“The chair is grateful you appear unharmed,” said the red chair.

“Seconded,” added the yellow chair.

“Thank you. But I did not come looking for sympathy.”

“Are you suggesting the assassin was sent by one of the other factions in this room?” asked the red chair.

“No. I know it was no one here.” Because no one here had the guts. “But I do know where the assassin came from, and I want the help of the Masked Magistrates to infiltrate and track down the group responsible; The Order of the Templar.”

There were irritable hisses and an uncomfortable shuffling from the other Magistrates. By revealing who my enemy was, I had effectively revealed my own identity. The attack at Tintagel could hardly have gone unnoticed and, thus, everyone now knew who I was. Not that I bloody well cared, because I didn’t.

“The green chair will refrain from such specifics in future,” said the red chair. He was trying to admonish me sharply, but now that he knew who I was, his voice quavered with fear.

As it should.

“Hardly matters now, does it?” I pointed out.

“Indeed,” the red chair admitted, then brightened up. “This being the case, I suggest we adjourn this meeting and when we reconvene, we can resume discussions in our customary and mutually agreed upon anonymity.”

“And how will I raise the subject?” I asked, deliberately mocking.

“It will be raised by whoever occupies the red chair. Determined, as always, by ballot.”

“And how will I argue my case?”

“It will be discussed as every issue is discussed.”

I scoffed. “You mean vaguely and pointlessly?” I snatched away my mask and tossed it across the room, drawing gasps and objections from many of those present. “Oh, stop being melodramatic, you all knew who I was. And for those who somehow missed it; I am High Mage Duine of the King’s Alliance.” I took a breath. “Two weeks ago, an agent of the Order of the Templar tried to kill me. I have, for some time now, been trying to persuade this august, respected and thoroughly ineffectual body to take some sort of joint action against this terrorist and have been told that he represents no threat. Well, I hope we can agree that their attempt on my life does constitute a threat. Not just to me and to the King’s Alliance, but to this body as well. I am a Magistrate and when I am attacked, it is an attack upon this institution.”

Even behind the masks, I could see the narrow looks from my fellow Magistrates. What I said was true. What was also true, but which none of them had the balls to say, was that they thought I had provoked