The Blood Thief of Whitten Hall (A Magic & Machinery Novel Book 2) Read Online Free Page A

Maester and let him know that I will most certainly meet with him at a more agreeable time.”
    Creary frowned and glanced over his shoulder, but the Grand Maester’s expression revealed nothing. The Pellite turned back toward Simon without emotion, revealing neither disappointment nor relief at Simon’s refusal.
    “Forgive us, but we are needed by the Grand Inquisitor,” Ambrose remarked, breaking the silence. “If you could kindly move aside. You’re blocking the exit.”
    Creary turned his gaze toward the charismatic Inquisitor and frowned. The broad smile on Ambrose’s face remained even as he dropped his voice low enough so that only Creary and Simon could hear his follow-on remarks.
    “Now do run along and pull the wings from flies or whatever it is you Pellites do during your free time.”
    Creary’s frown deepened with anger. “Be careful. Your tongue will get you in trouble one of these days.”
    Ambrose merely laughed. “My dear man. My tongue has quite some notoriety for causing trouble, especially with the fairer sex.”
    The Pellite turned abruptly and returned to the side of the Grand Maester.
    Simon shook his head as he turned his attention back to Ambrose. “You’re incorrigible, you realize? He wasn’t being disrespectful, though I struggle to say the same about you.”
    “Any respect you perceived was a falsehood meant to deceive you. The Pellites are brutes, and none more so than the one with whom you were talking.”
    Simon glanced toward the bald man who now had his back to them. “Then who is this Inquisitor Creary?”
    “He’s the Grand Maester’s confidant but also, more often than not, his enforcer.”
    Simon took in the man’s broad shoulders and square jaw. Though he looked fit, he hardly seemed like a physical threat.
    As though interpreting Simon’s expression, Ambrose shook his head. “Do not underestimate the man. What he lacks in stature, he more than makes up for in brutality. The problem is that Creary is indicative of their entire Order, to include their more youthful recruits. They all lack class. That brute, especially, is a curmudgeon. In a sea of sophisticated rapiers, that man is a veritable battle axe.”
    Simon broke his gaze away from the Pellite and noted the Grand Inquisitor’s rapid approach. “If that’s the case, then I owe you both an apology and my thanks. Though, truth be told, I certainly didn’t need your help when dealing with a strong arm from the Order of Kinder Pel.”
    “Of course not,” Ambrose replied, his mood lightening considerably as he, too, hurried to finish their conversation before the Grand Inquisitor’s arrival. “That being said, I enjoyed myself immensely at someone else’s expense, which I categorize as the start to an exceptional party.”
    “Belittling Pellites is your idea of fun?”
    “Naturally.”
    The Grand Inquisitor stopped in front of the two men, and they both bowed their heads respectfully. The Grand Inquisitor nodded in return, and the two men met his gaze.
    “Join me, Simon,” the Grand Inquisitor said. “There is much you and I have to discuss.”
    Simon nodded. He remembered being so excited about these festivities when the day began. Now it seemed he spent more time dreading his next encounter, and this meeting with the Grand Inquisitor was even more nerve wracking than a meeting with the Grand Maester would have been.
    The Grand Inquisitor stepped away, heading toward the hall’s main entrance. Simon turned quickly to Ambrose, knowing he had but a moment to spare.
    “Will you still be here when I return?” Simon asked.
    “If I were to judge the sour expression on your face, I would assume you meant to ask if I’d be here if you ever return. In either case, however, the answer is yes. I have yet to turn away from an opportunity for free liquor.”
    Simon nodded, though he lacked any mirth in his eyes. “Do be certain to keep control of your faculties between now and then. I may yet have need of