Benedict Jacka - Taken

The Starbucks in Angel is on the corner of the busy intersection of Pentonville Road and Upper Street, set deep into the offices around it with a glass front that lets in the light. The counters at ground level, but climbing to the second floor gives a view down onto the high street and the crowds streaming in and out of Angel station. Opposite the Starbucks is Angel Square, a huge, sprawling, weirdly designed building checkered in orange and yellow and topped with a clock tower. The clock tower looks down onto City Road, a long downhill highway linking Kings Cross and the City. It was eleven A.M. and the morning rush was long past, but the roads and sidewalks were still crowded, the steady growl of engines muffled through the glass.

Inside, the shop was peaceful. Two women in work clothes chatted over their lattes and muffins, while a stolid-looking man with greying hair hid behind his Times. A student sat absorbed in his laptop while three men in business suits were bent over a table full of spreadsheets, their drinks forgotten. Music played quietly over the speakers, and the clatter of cups and coffee machines drifted up from the floor below. And near the window, chair turned to watch both the street and anyone coming in, was me.

I like the Angel Starbucks for meetings. Its easy to reach, theres a nice view, and its just the right balance between public and private. Usually its quiet-most of the trendy people prefer the cafes north along Upper Street-but not so quiet as to give anyone ideas. Id probably like it even more if I drank coffee. Then again, given how much people like to complain about Starbucks, maybe I wouldnt.

Id already checked out the surroundings and the other customers, so when the woman walked into the shop downstairs I was free to focus on her. There are two ways of getting a look at someone with divination magic: You can look into the futures of you approaching them, or you can look into the futures of them approaching you. The first is better if you want to study them; the second is better if you want advance warning of what theyre planning. I chose the first, and by the time the woman stepped onto the second floor Id been watching her for nearly a minute.

She was good-looking-really good-looking, with gold hair and sculpted features that made me think of old English aristocracy. She wore a cream-coloured suit that probably cost more than my entire wardrobe, and everyone in the room turned to look as she passed. The three men forgot about their spreadsheets, and the two women put their chatter on hold, watching her with narrowed eyes. Her heels clicked to a stop as she looked down at me. Alex Verus?

Thats me, I said.

She sat opposite me, legs together. I felt the eyes of everyone in the room comparing the womans outfit with my rumpled trousers and sweater. Now that she was on the same level I could see that it wasnt just the heels, she really was tall, almost as tall as me. She carried nothing but a small handbag. Coffee? I said.

She glanced at a slim gold watch. I only have half an hour.

Suits me. I leant back on the chair. Why dont you tell me what youre after?

I need-

I held up my hand. I was hoping you might introduce yourself first.

There was a brief flash of irritation in her eyes, but it vanished quickly. Im Crystal.

I already knew her name. In fact, Id gone out of my way to find out quite a bit about Crystal in the two days since shed contacted me requesting a meeting. I knew she was a Light mage, one of the nobility with lots of connections. I knew she wasnt a player in Council politics, although she had friends there. I knew the type of magic she could use, where in England she was based, and even how old she was. What I didnt know was what she wanted me for, and that was what Id come here to find out. So what can I do for you?

I expect you know about the White Stone?

The tournament?

Crystal nodded. Isnt it due to start soon? I said.

The opening ceremony will be this Friday, Crystal said. At Fountain Reach.

Okay.

Fountain Reach is my family home.

My eyebrows went up at that. Okay.

I want you to help manage the event, Crystal said.

Its very important that everything goes smoothly.

Manage how?

Providing additional protection. A diviner would be perfect for that.

Right, I said. Ive run into this a lot lately. People hear about my background and assume I must be a battle-mage. Now its true that Im a mage and its true that Ive fought battles and its even true that Ive fought battle-mages, but that doesnt make me a battle-mage myself. Im not really a bodyguard.

Im not expecting you to serve as a battle-mage, Crystal said. Youd be more of a. . security consultant. Your role would be to warn me of any anticipated problems.

What sort of problems?

Were expecting over a hundred mages for the tournament. Initiates and journeymen, including a number of Dark representatives. Crystal clasped her hands. Therell be competition. Its possible some of the participants will carry grudges off the piste.

It sounded like a recipe for trouble. And stopping them will be. .

Therell be Council battle-mages present. Were well aware of the potential for trouble. There will be sufficient security. We just need to make sure the security is in the right place at the right time.

You havent received any warnings or threats?

Nothing like that. Theres been no suggestion of trouble so far, and wed like your help to make sure it stays that way.

I thought about it. Ive usually steered clear of Light tournaments in the past; my teachers thought they were a waste of time and on the whole I agreed with them. But if initiates were there, that changed my feelings a bit. Trying to protect adult mages is a thankless task, but apprentices are another story. What exactly would you be expecting me to do?

Just to keep an eye on the guests. Possibly some investigation if anything comes up. Were particularly concerned about keeping the younger apprentices safe, so wed been hoping you could help with that.

I started to nod-and stopped.

Crystal looked at me. Is something wrong?

I kept still for a second, then smiled at her. No. Not at all. You mentioned investigation work?

Obviously, some mages are more likely to make trouble than others. We dont have anybody were especially suspicious of, but its likely things will crop up to turn our attention to someone. When they do, it would be very helpful if you could find things out for us about them. Their background, connections, that sort of thing.

I assume the place is staffed?

Oh yes, the servants will handle all that. Youd be considered one of the guests.

And you said the opening ceremony was on Friday. The guests will be arriving on what, the same day?

Exactly. Crystal was relaxed now; the interview was going well. Were expecting the first guests by the morning, although of course the sooner you can arrive the better.

And regarding payment? I thought about cash, as soon as possible.

Future service, as usual. Though if youd prefer something more tangible thats perfectly acceptable.

When could you arrange payment by?

Immediately, of course.

Well. I smiled at Crystal. That settles that.

Excellent. Then youll be able to come?

No.

The smile vanished from Crystals face. Im sorry?

Well, Im afraid there are a couple of problems. I leant forward casually. The first issue is that Ive had a lot of approaches like yours over the past few months. And while they all looked good on the surface, the last couple of times Ive said yes theyve turned out to be. . well, lets just say I dont feel like a repeat performance.

If you have a prior engagement Im sure we-