“Akunna!” Dwayne looked around. “What are you doing here?”
“Who is this?” Magdala asked.
“She’s…” Dwayne winced. “She’s Thadden’s slave.”
“I’m only here to make sure you’re treating the workers right.” Akunna curtsied. “Milord, milady. Good night.”
Magdala watched her go. “She’s not his spy, is she?”
“No.” Hopefully Akunna wouldn’t get into trouble for this. Dwayne turned back to Nicole. “What were you saying?”
The earthhoist started. “Uh, nothing? Oh, right, you asked me a question. I’m using a Qe core.”
“That makes this,” Dwayne gestured to Nicole’s crystal tower, “possible?”
“The Qe core boosts casting precision significantly for everyone.” Nicole glanced at Magdala. “Almost everyone.”
Magdala shrugged. “I haven’t had time to try.”
“Have… you told him yet?”
Dwayne blinked. “Told me what?”
“No, not yet.” Magdala grinned. “Congratulations! You’re now Chair of the Bradford Thaumaturgical Research Club.”
Dwayne stared. “What? How?”
“Nobody liked the name ‘theory group’ and everybody likes you. Come on,” Magdala grabbed his hand, “We haven’t gotten to the real surprise yet. See you later, Miss Fletcher.”
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“You too, milady.”
When they arrived at stage set up in the middle of the bridge, Magdala declared, “now, you’re going to give a speech.”
“What?” Dwayne stopped. “I’m not- Oof!”
Someone in a dark blue cloak bounced off him, the impact causing the left side of Dwayne’s suit jacket to fly open.
“Are you okay?” Dwayne asked.
“I’m all right.”
“Are you-?” But the victim had already hurried away.
“We don’t have time.” Magdala pushed Dwayne onto the stage. “Chloe’s already in position.”
“What for?”
But Dwayne’s presence on stage had already drawn attention. He couldn’t back down now without looking like a fool. He glared at Magdala, but she’d taken up position in front of the stage, the very picture of a loyal bodyguard.
Dwayne cleared his throat.
“Uh, good evening. I hope you are enjoying the wonders and miracles here on the bridge tonight.” Too stiff. “Consider this a taste of the future.” Better. “Her Majesty’s Royal Sorcerer’s Office will not rest until the lives of every single one of you has changed for the better!”
“Now!” shouted Magdala.
All the way from West Gate to East Gate, The sky exploded in silver and purple light. More colors, reds and greeds, blues and yellows, joined the aerial display, putting Dwayne’s best Ri spells to shame.
“Worth it?” Magdala asked when she helped him down from the stage.
Dwayne grinned. “Absolutely. Where did-”
Again, someone slammed into him. This time, he hit the ground, the right side of his jacket flew open, and a dark blue cloak whirled away.
For a long moment, Dwayne lay on the ground, confused. Then he had an errant thought. The License Key.
He reached into his jacket. The Key was missing. He jumped to his feet, searched the crowd for a black cloak, found it making its way towards the Plague District. They’d robbed him. The sheer nerve of-
The dark blue cloak started to smoke.
Oh, no.
Magdala knelt down next to him. “What is it? Are you hurt?”
“The Key.” Dwayne pointed. “They stole it.”
“Then I’ll get it back. It’s my job.”
Magdala rushed onto the bridge parapets and gave chase.