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Leicester and D’Orsay were staring at Linda as if they’d never really seen her before And ain

"So," Leicester said, atteain his equilibrium "We have here the brains and body of the rebellion We are most thankful that you spoke up, Ms Downey, in tie of justice It appears that two executions are called for, instead of one"

"Coory," D’Orsay said hastily "Surely not Such a waste, I mean, an enchanter? Surely she can be rehabilitated"

"We’ve got to do soinally planned"

"Let’s split up and take our stations," Jason whispered "I’allery"

Seph concealed himself in the alcove just outside the butler’s pantry He turned and tapped gently on the warded door, hoping Madison ht hear him and Leicester and D’Orsay would not

"Madison!"

No answer Seph turned back to the hall and peered out fro place next to the fireplace

Leicester had prevailed, because Seph’s parents were being escorted to the front of the room by a crowd of nervous alumni as Leicester stood by with the staff It appeared to be the saht at the outdoor chapel, when he’d tried to "recruit" Seph It seeo ’ladies first,’" Leicester said, s "So you can watch the execution of the s to his knees Leicester gripped the staff with both hands, raised it high

Then Martin Hall said, "Look!" He was focused on so around to see the shi presence

It stretched froreat hall Fla and licked the stone floor Showers of sparks cascaded over the assee continually shifted shape, but it was too bright to look at for very long, anyway Although it was alleries seeuished The rooon whose glittering wings reached fro the prisoners alone at the block Hastings pushed to his feet and faced the dragon, shoving Linda behind hi, as if puzzled, but he didn’t look particularly frightened

Leicester stared fixedly at the ie before him, the color bleached from his face by its brilliance Seph sensed the head to discover and destroy the wizard behind the iic, no stone, no flesh and blood to focus on

Jason Haley, the puppeteer, was safely ensconced in the gallery above

The dragon’s voice reverberated through the hall "Who dares to tamper with the constitution consecrated at Raven’s Ghyll last Midsummer’s Day?"

The aluain

"Quite the pet you have there, Hastings," Leicester said "Does he have a naon to Leicester and shook his head "It isn’t mine"

"It takes very little power to conjure a phanto you dry as yet We’ll see if it disappears when you’re dead" He turned to the alumni "It’s just a construct It can’t hurt us Proceed" The aluive the dragon some bite Seph disabled the unnoticeable charm and stepped back into the partial concealment of the pantry He focused on Leicester, dreer in froers, then gave it everything he had as the dragon breathed out Flary rivulets over his skin, charred his elegant clothes, and scorched the floor all around hi Leicester still standing, astonished, but unhurt Linked as he ith the alu

Seph had made an impression, just the same As far as the alumni were concerned, Leicester’s harmless "construct" had just spewed fla, they fled toward the back of the roo else would An enor at the front of the roo white-hot heat on thethe fixture crashing to the floor Leicester just ed to sidestep out of the way

The fla the walls flared up and ran across the ceiling, charring the ceiling beams Next, Seph collected arallery s Shards of glass pinged on the stone floor The roar of the storm was suddenly aain "Leicester’s wizard slaves! It is time to reclaim what has been stolen froether, as you have been taught You believe you are owned by another, but you belong to me, before all else!"

Seph wasn’t so sure that was true, but it was enough to enrage Leicester He screa alumni "This is wizardry, you idiots! It’s a wizard behind all of this! I’ll show you" Spinning, he thrust forward the staff Flas, throwing him backward onto the stone floor, where he lay still, his clothes s

There was a dead silence, save the shriek of the wind and clatter of the rain

Linda knelt next to Hastings and cradled his head in her lap

Leicester turned to look at the dragon It hung over the a little, then reared up, drawing its lips back to reveal stalactite-size teeth