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“Again,” I said, “It might be handy to have a real news outlet for him to talk to. What else can he do, start blogging?”

“He could be a presence at this conference you’re planning.”Advertisement

“I’ll be demonstrating some new spells,” Owen said quietly.

Ramsay beamed. “Excellent! Then you’re ahead of me already. How are the plans going, otherwise?”

I provided an update of everything I had set up thus far. Merlin nodded and smiled the whole time I spoke, which I found encouraging.

“You’ll need a keynote speaker,” Ramsay said.

It was an obvious request for an invitation, but I ignored it. “We have Merlin. I’m sure that name still means something in the magical world, and this is your first major public appearance since returning, isn’t it?”

“I have met with customers, and I have been at Council meetings, but no, I have not made an official public appearance,” Merlin said.

“How are you planning to address Spellworks?” Ramsay asked. “It is the elephant in the room. I’m not sure that just talking about what you’re doing will be enough. You need to take on the competition directly, maybe even accuse them of wrongdoing.”

“And how would you propose we do that?” Merlin asked. “We have only the slightest concrete evidence of their evil intent.”

“You have the person who was the face of Spellworks in your custody,” Ramsay said. “He could repudiate them and admit that they were the source of all these negative spells that they’re now selling charms to fight.”

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Before I thought about what I was saying, I blurted, “That’s insane! He’s insane. I wouldn’t put him in front of any audience. You never know what he’d say.” I turned to look at Merlin, sure he’d back me up, but if he thought the idea was crazy, he was showing a lot of self-control in not visibly freaking out.

“I’m sure he could be coached,” Ramsay said mildly. “And it is in his best interests to cooperate with us. I understand he’s terrified of his former masters.”

“He has been a little more cooperative lately,” Owen said, and I whipped my head around so fast to stare at him in shock that I felt something in my neck pop. “He even gave me the source for that barricade spell, and he’s interested in helping create a line of safe joke spells.”

While I was still goggling at Owen and wondering what alien entity had possessed him to make him want to put a wild card like Idris in front of an audience, Ramsay said, “You have to admit it’s bold, daring, and a definite stake in the ground.” He pounded his fist on the table in emphasis.

“But potentially dangerous,” Merlin murmured, as though he was speaking to himself. “Very, very dangerous.” Addressing us, he said, “It would certainly get everyone’s attention, wouldn’t it?”

“It would have the biggest impact as a surprise,” Ramsay said, “so we wouldn’t have to announce him as a speaker in advance. That way we can wait until the last second to decide if we want to trust him. And we can ensure there are consequences if he doesn’t cooperate. The terms of his surrender already mean he can’t magically harm this company or anyone who works for it. If he agrees to speak, we could make it part of the contract that he can’t profit from Spellworks, so he has an incentive to stay with us.”

Merlin nodded slowly, then said, “Miss Chandler, please prepare some brief remarks Mr. Idris might be encouraged to make on our behalf. I will make the final decision on the day of the event.”

Before he could adjourn the meeting, Ramsay stopped him with a gesture. “One more thing, Ambrose,” he said. I couldn’t recall anyone ever using Merlin’s English first name like that. Merlin gave Ramsay a “go ahead” nod. “If you don’t mind, I’d like to speak, as well. The continuity of leadership would make us look like we’re presenting a stronger united front.”

“We would be honored to have you participate,” Merlin said with a slight bow and a thin-lipped smile.

“Fantastic!” Ramsay said. “Well, it sounds like your event is thoroughly under way, and everything is going according to plan and schedule. It’s sure to be a huge success.”

I could barely wait to get away from the executive suite before I grabbed Owen’s arm and said, “I know illusions don’t work on me, so you can’t be someone else wearing an Owen disguise, but who are you, and what have you done with Owen Palmer?” pqdm.com