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“She’s another thrall in my service,” Fairfax explained.

“Oh.”Solomon scratched the back of his head awkwardly.“Do you have many in your service?”

“Half a dozen at this property.Many more in my various business enterprises.”Fairfax smiled.“I am in the process of hiring thralls for my country estate too.”

Solomon didn’t seem to know quite what to make of that.

“Pardon my frankness, but why?”he finally blurted.

“Sly,” Viggo warned in a low voice.

“It’s quite alright,” Fairfax murmured.He met Solomon’s gaze steadily.“I guess my answer takes the form of another question.Why not?”

Solomon frowned and opened his mouth to voice a reply.

Fairfax put his hand up and curbed his words.“I know what you intend to say, Mr.Barden.That thralls are held in contempt by magic users.But I and others like Lady Hartley and Duke Ravenwood firmly believe that the magic we possess is nothing but an accidental virtue of our birth.We did nothing to deserve it and therefore cannot and must not wield it with arrogance.It is a gift that we should use to improve the fate of all mankind, not just those born with magical abilities.”His face tightened.“To keep that power in the hands of a few is not only sheer madness, it is a guaranteed path to destruction.”

The nobleman’s statement startled Solomon and evoked the same feelings in Viggo as the night Evander had said almost the same words to him.

Admiration.Respect.Humility.

It took a strong man or woman in a position of privilege to look at the world around them and declare that they intended to do something about its blatant social inequalities.

They sipped their tea in silence for a moment, Solomon holding his cup like it was some kind of explosive device.

“Tom’s sister was quite distressed,” Viggo said finally.“She insists her brother would never leave without informing her of his whereabouts.They support their younger siblings together.”

Lines wrinkled Fairfax’s brow.“That does sound consistent with what I know of Tom.He spoke of his family often and with great affection.”He paused, swirling the amber liquid in his cup.“The timing is rather troubling, I must say.”

Viggo tensed.“How so, my Lord?”

Solomon leaned forward slightly, equally alert.

Fairfax set his cup down with a soft clink, his expression brooding.“I received word this morning about another possible disappearance.A young woman named Katherine Stoker—Katie, as she preferred to be called.A thrall of exceptional promise whom I’ve been sponsoring this past year.”

Chapter8

Viggo’s pulse quickened.He exchanged a wary glance with Solomon.

“In what capacity were you sponsoring her?”

“Education, primarily.She showed remarkable aptitude for mathematics and languages—skills that are valuable in commerce regardless of one’s magical abilities.”Pride coloured Fairfax’s voice despite his obvious concern at his protégé’s fate.“I arranged for her employment with Hampton Shipping two months ago.She was making quite an impression there until—” He faltered, his fingers curling into fists in his lap.

“Until she went missing,” Viggo finished softly.

“Yes.Three days ago to be exact, according to Hampton.She failed to report for work, which is entirely out of character for Katie.When someone was sent to her lodgings, they found everything in order but no sign of Katie herself.”Fairfax’s expression darkened.“Hampton informed me that a resignation letter was delivered to his residence the following day.”

Dread churned Viggo’s stomach as he stared blindly at the plush Persian carpet covering the floorboards.

Two missing thralls.Two resignation letters.It couldn’t be a coincidence.

The butler returned with a folded piece of paper and handed it to Fairfax.The nobleman’s shoulders knotted as he read it.He passed it to Viggo.

“Tom’s note.Rather terse, wouldn’t you say?”

Viggo studied the missive.The handwriting was neat but hurried, the message brief and formal.The footman expressed heartfelt gratitude for the opportunity to serve his master, but cited “personal matters” that necessitated his immediate departure.

“May I?”Solomon held out his hand.