Scholar of Magic (Art of the Adept #3) - Michael G. Manning Page 0,68

area, and just behind them were a wide network of wards set into the floor.

Most of the outer wards were designed to deter a would-be trespasser, while those farther in would immobilize them. If someone managed to get past those, the third layer of wards included lightning shocks that could potentially be fatal. Will stepped over the chain, stopped at the first wards and took a few seconds to match his turyn to that of the defenses, then he walked into the restricted section. He heard Janice hiss in alarm as he stepped into the wards, but he ignored her.

It took him the better part of an hour to find the three books they had marked on the list they had made. Will didn’t bother looking into them and copying out what he wanted, though. Instead he just tucked each book under his arm and when he had all three, he carried them out. He found Janice waiting for him.

She glanced at the books he carried. “You stole them?”

Will looked over her shoulder. “Who’s that?”

Janice whirled around, and he stored the books in his limnthal while her attention was diverted. Her lips turned down in a frown of disapproval when she saw that the books had vanished. “How many secrets do you have?”

“The less you know the less they can torture out of you.”

“I never know for sure whether you’re joking or not,” she responded.

A surge of adrenaline shot through him as he unexpectedly relived his recent whipping. Will’s heart began beating at a frenetic pace and sweat began beading on his forehead. He took several deep breaths and tried to keep his reaction from showing, though Janice definitely noticed something.

“Are you all right?” she asked, putting a hand on his shoulder.

“It’s nothing,” he assured her, “and just so you know, I wasn’t joking. My father-in-law went to great lengths to try and find out where Selene was recently.”

“And now you’re breaking into the restricted section?”

Will laughed. “He doesn’t give a damn about this. He’d probably congratulate me.”

“How did you do that? You just walked through the wards as though they weren’t there. Did you steal one of the key talismans?” she asked.

He shook his head. “No, I just do what the talismans do. Someday, if my life ever calms down, I might try to teach someone.”

“I want to be the first on your list.”

“It’s dangerous, and it takes years,” he warned her.

Something flashed in her eyes, a sudden understanding. “That’s where Selene went, isn’t it? Someone is training her.”

He clapped a hand over her lips, looking around anxiously to make certain no one was within earshot. “Be careful what you say. If the king got wind of that it would be worth your life, and unlike me, I don’t think he’d hesitate to whip you to death.”

“You were whipped?” she mumbled around his fingers, her eyes widening.

In the midst of everything else, Will was suddenly struck by how adorable his friend was, her bright eyes peering at him above his fingers. With that realization came the awareness of her lips against his palm and he drew back his hand as though he were about to be burned. Angry with himself, he looked away.

Fortunately, Janice misread his reaction. “I’m sorry. That was thoughtless of me.”

He took the opportunity. “It’s all right. You couldn’t have known. I need to get back and look these over before evening gets here.”

“You’re doing whatever it is tonight? You need help.”

“You’re right, know anyone useful?”

“Ouch,” she said, visibly wincing.

“Sorry. I’m just tense. Don’t worry about it. I’ll manage.”

Janice frowned but didn’t move to stop him as he walked away, and he could feel her eyes on his back until he had gone down the stairs.

Chapter 15

“I have no idea what you’re thinking, Will. This is a wall.” Tiny stood staring up at the wall that surrounded Wurthaven. His bulk was further accentuated by the mail hauberk and leggings he wore, combined with a breastplate and steel cap. The big man had