“Good memory,” Skye said.
“I understand you’re looking for work?” he asked, coming around to stand in front of his desk.
“That’s right,” Skye said.
“Imagine my surprise when Lady Madeline contacted me this morning,” he said. “I used to drop hints about you coming to work for me. Those advances never drew any interest.”
“Many choices are determined by timing,” Skye said.
Gustus leaned back against his desk. “Interesting thought. Why reach out to me now? Common knowledge has you involved with revolutionaries.”
“I’ve lived a little,” Skye said. “Learned some hard lessons. I want something stable. I want to work on my enchanting. I could be useful here. My abilities have increased.”
Gustus wagged a finger at her. “That I believe. I’m not concerned about your talent. I’m more interested in your motives. I’d hate for your dear mother to suffer another blow. You’ll get eaten alive if you think you can use a position here to help the resistance. Absolutely skeletonized.”
“I didn’t come to you when I was involved with those people,” Skye said.
“Those people?” Gustus chuckled. “Am I to believe you’ve severed all ties, burned all bridges?”
“I’ve made some big changes in my life,” Skye said. “I’d be a fool to come here with an agenda.”
“It was foolish to come here at all,” Gustus said. “When I told Alderman Campos about the message from your mother, he almost posted guardsmen here to arrest you. We debated the issue for the better part of an hour. In the end, he became more interested in watching you. Not in the hope you’ll prove you’ve mended your ways. He decided this move is so preposterous, it must be motivated by a tremendous need. A need none of us can guess. What game are you playing, Skye?”
“He can watch all he likes,” Skye said. “So can you. All you’ll see is a first-class illusionist practicing her trade.”
Gustus rubbed a hand over his bald scalp. “Yes, yes, I suppose . . . I can’t fathom what you would expect to gain. Neither can Campos. It’s a recipe for curiosity. Up until this moment, you’ve practiced your spycraft with such aplomb. You had disappeared. You were truly unseen. And now you surface here. A neutral observer would call it a massive blunder.”
“Unless I’m serious,” Skye said. “Unless I have no hidden motives.”
“Wouldn’t that be amusing?” Gustus said. “What about these boys?” His bulging eyes swiveled to regard Cole and Jace. “Are they talented?”
“No,” Skye said. “They’re my servants. I’m fond of them. We’re a package deal.”
“Which of you is Cole?” Gustus asked enthusiastically.
“I am,” Cole said, on his guard even more because of the friendly attitude.
“What is she up to?” Gustus asked chummily.
“She wants a job here,” Cole said.
“What has she been doing?”
“Not much,” Cole said.
“What do you do for her?”
“I help out,” Cole said. “I serve her meals. I get the door.”
Gustus walked over to Cole and crouched forward, his chameleon eyes twitching out of sync with each other. “There is a hint of shaping ability about you,” he said. “Something . . . odd. I don’t recognize it.”
“Neither do I,” Cole said truthfully.
Gustus turned to Jace. “Tell me why Skye is really here, and I will make you rich beyond your wildest imaginings.”
“I’ve worked for some wealthy people,” Jace said. “And I have a good imagination.”
“I’ll give you enough to live comfortably for the rest of your days. She can’t punish you here. Tell me what I want to know and you’re set for life.”
“Really?” Jace asked.
“Yes.”
Jace shrugged. “Easiest money I’ve ever made. She’s here for a job.”
Gustus stared at him shrewdly. “You profess there is no other motive?”
“Yes.”
“Give it five years. If Skye remains true, I’ll owe you. Fair?”
“It was a big promise for such an easy question,” Jace said. “I can wait.”
“Or you can visit me privately,” Gustus said. “If you have good information, my offer still stands. It’s up to you.” He went to Skye. “Your servants are not useless. Neither boy was completely forthright with me, that much was plain, but I’m not sure what they’re hiding. Not bad for young ones.”
“You see deception wherever you look,” Skye said.
“As long as I look at people,” Gustus replied. “Surely you grasp why some might question your motives. If you had been imprisoned and then made this offer, I’d be more inclined to believe you, though less eager to grant the request.”
“Does this mean I get the job?” Skye asked.
“Of course I’ll hire you,” Gustus said. “You’re plenty qualified, and I’m infinitely curious to learn what this is really about.” He licked his lips, eyes stretching. “It’s hard to resist a good intrigue.”
“Before I agree,” Skye said, “I want to see where I’ll be working, know how I’ll be compensated, and meet some of my fellow enchanters. I take it you provide accommodations?”
“The staff all live here,” Gustus said. “We’re a tight-knit family.”
“When can I start?” Skye asked.
“I’d prefer immediately,” Gustus said.
“Not today,” Skye said. “I have to say some good-byes and set some affairs in order. Tomorrow could work, if I like the accommodations and your terms.”
“Take care what affairs you manage,” Gustus said. “Many eyes will be watching.”
“And the boys?” Skye asked.
Gustus went and stood between Jace and Cole. “You two want to live and work here?”
“If Skye does,” Cole said.
“I’d be your boss,” Gustus explained. “You’d take orders from some of my underlings. Not from her.”
“I want to make sure I like it here,” Jace said.
“Have a look around with Skye,” Gustus said. “Only fair. Incidentally, without enchanting talent, it’s very competitive to be even the lowest servant here. We only hire the sharpest people from the best families in Elloweer.”