The Hidden Magic: The Hidden World Trilogy, #2

By Maya King

Anna Marin has recently discovered an ability to use magic, and she's eager to leave her life as a baker behind to begin training with skilled wizards. Luckily, the perfect opportunity to hone her magic has come up - Jabin is going to the mysterious kingdom of Seamire to track down Noori, the mage who nearly assassinated Prince Grian. However, going with Jabin means defying the orders of both their families and entering dangerous, unknown territories.

Anna's magic won't be the only thing tested as the two track down the Maidens, a secretive group of women wizards who have ties to Noori. Anna and Jabin stumble upon a web of new foes in Seamire, and their hasty pursuit of adventure may have consequences that reach further than they ever could have guessed.

• Language: English
• Publisher: Maya King
• Release date: Jun 6, 2017
• ISBN: 9781386093275

Maya King

Maya King loves light and fun fantasy stories with strong romantic elements. She is a full-time writer who lives in the desert and daydreams of dragons and wizards in her spare time. To be notified of future releases from Maya, you can sign up to the newsletter here: http://eepurl.com/bXHz3v

Book preview

Chapter 1

JABIN ASTER SNEERED as he extended his arm out, giving an invisible push to his brother Rafa.  The older brother used the momentum of the push to fly up and backwards off the ground.  Jabin lunged away from the ground as well, preparing for the next move.

Anna Marin stood up without thought, craning her neck back to watch the action high above her.  There was a moment’s pause as the wizards sized one another up.  Then, Rafa launched himself forward.  He moved with such speed that Anna couldn’t even make sense of what exactly happened up there.  The two bodies collided with a thud, and then both of them were flipping around in the air.  They stopped midair with Rafa above Jabin, the older brother’s hand gripping the younger’s collar, and then Jabin’s body was hurdling towards the ground.  He just barely had enough time to push against the ground to slow his fall before he slammed into the grass.  Still, the ground shook from the force, and Jabin let out a pained groan.

Anna threw herself down next to him just before Rafa came back down to the ground, floating with complete control.  He stood looking over Jabin, a satisfied smirk on his face.  Jabin’s face was clenched in pain, and his body writhed before he was able to push himself up off the hard earth.

You did better that time, Rafa said.  He pushed his dark hair back away from his fine features so that he once again looked like he hadn’t lifted a finger the whole time.

Jabin was red-faced and in pain.  His thick black hair hung in his face.  Anna pushed it back for him and he gave her a small, appreciative smile.

Let’s take a break for now, Renli said, clapping his hands together to get their attention.  I’m sure our guests are hungry now.  They didn’t travel all this way to see you two showing off for them.

Anna stood and helped Jabin to his feet.  Only then did she realize that she had thrown herself down next to him.  She glanced back at her parents.  They had two very different expressions on their faces, neither of which surprised Anna.

Bill was an intimidating form with his feet planted wide on the ground and his thick arms folded in front of him.  An unimpressed frown was set on his face, as it had been for weeks.  He still hadn’t come around to the idea of Anna hanging around with a group of wizards, but she had hoped that bringing him to Renli’s home would help him see what she loved about magic and the Aster family.

Genevia, on the other hand, was already in love with Jabin.  In fact, Anna thought her mother might have been even more smitten with the wizard than she was.  He’s so tall, her mother said after she had met him for the first time.  And that hair!  It’s like the night sky turned to silk.  That smile!  Those eyes!  Anna, if you don’t marry him and make me beautiful little grandchildren, I will never forgive you.

Anna had groaned at her mother’s words and tried her best to hide the smile that formed.  Bill had turned red-faced with anger and muttered under his breath.  Even weeks later, Anna still couldn’t bring up Jabin without a similar reaction from her father.

Of course, Jabin took full advantage of her mother’s adoration to worm his way into the hearts of the Marins.

Mrs. Marin, he said, hobbling over to her and extending his arm out.  Right this way. I’ll show you to our dinner table.

Genevia giggled and took his arm, sending Bill a wink over her shoulder.  She and Jabin walked inside after Rafa and Renli.  Anna gave her father a smile.

Come on, father, she said, taking his arm.  Isn’t it all wonderful?  The chance to learn magic.  It’s like a dream.

It’s trickery, Bill said.  Empty, shallow illusions.  You know what an honest occupation is?

Owning a bakery, Anna answered.  She had heard his argument a few times before, and it was always the same.

There’s nothing like feeling dough in your hands, or feeling the heat of the oven’s fire.  Then when you’ve done all your work, you end up with something real and meaningful.  You bring joy to others.  You bring nourishment.  You can’t do that with magic.

I know, father, Anna said.  Before she could get any explanation in, he continued.

I know you like the boy.  He’s a bit misguided, but a summer at the bakery could toughen him up.  The two of you could inherit the place from me and your mother.  We could have an apartment built above ours - you could live on the third floor, and we could all work together.

Her father seemed so optimistic about the prospect.  It was a sweet thought that made Anna’s heart ache.  It was exactly the sweet, simple life she had always expected to live.  However, Jabin wasn’t going to be satisfied with that kind of life.  And now that she had gotten a small taste of adventure, she wasn’t sure she would ever be happy owning the bakery, either.

We’ll discuss this later, father, Anna said.  She needed to buy time to think about what her future might be.  Let’s go have dinner.  You’ll really like Master Renli.  And when Sandia gets here, you’ll like her, too.

Anna led her father through the door into the Aster house.  It wasn’t long ago that she had seen the home destroyed, and yet now it looked cleaner than ever.  Anna wondered if the tidiness was due to the destruction and subsequent repairs, or if perhaps they had put all the books and papers away on account of her visit.  Either way, the kitchen and dining area of Renli’s home was now clean and neat with not a single item out of place.

The three magicians stood in the kitchen side by side over the cauldron.  They touched nothing, not the knives nor the vegetables, but used their magic to make quick work of the stew.  One was cutting meat into little cubes while another chopped at carrots and onions.  Anna could tell just by watching that Jabin was performing the task of peeling potatoes.  His hands moved in front of him as he spun a potato over the blade of a knife, taking the skin off in just a matter of seconds.  Anna watched them for a few moments, enchanted by the sight of them working in unison.

Bill pulled at Anna’s arm, pulling her also from her thoughts.  She joined her parents at the rectangular table that was large enough to easily seat both families.

I would offer to help, Genevia said, watching the magicians work, but it looks as though you’ve got it all under control.  I think I would just be a hindrance.

Jabin used two knives to cut through all the potatoes in midair before tossing them off to the side to fall gently into the large pot.  The meat, the carrots and onions, and the spices joined next.

This is a dish from my hometown in Greenhill, Renli said.  I’m from the north, where we eat beef and roots.  You can’t get seafood up there, not like in Langster.

Oh, how wonderful, Genevia said.  Bill, have you ever been to Greenhill?

Anna gave her mother a smile.  She was working hard at creating harmony.  However, Bill was a stubborn man.

No, he said.

Both Anna and Genevia gave him looks of disapproval.

I’m not surprised, Renli said, not minding the cold answer.  It’s got very little for travelers.  It’s far off from trade routes, and the winters are harsh.  There’s not much more than mountains.

Even we’ve never been there, Rafa said with a chuckle.  And we’re his children.

Where are you from, Mr. Marin? Jabin asked.  I can tell you’re not from Langster originally.

Bill perked up a bit.  No, I’m from Blackport.  Though, I haven’t lived there since I was a boy.  I spent most of my youth traveling the world.

What an exciting life, Renli said with a pleasant smile.  He had gotten the pot hot and sizzling, so he added the rest of the ingredients.  What made you settle down in Langster and start a bakery, then?

Bill smiled for what seemed like the first time that day.  He glanced to Genevia.  I met the most beautiful woman in the world.  I knew there was nothing else out there worth more than her.

Genevia giggled and set her hand on Bill’s arm.  Anna watched the two.  They were still so madly in love, even to this day.  Jabin sat down at the table, and Anna could see his eyes were on her parents, as well.  Warmth filled her chest, pushing away the nervous sickness.  This was going to go well.

Rafa and Renli joined them at the table while the soup boiled, and they discussed more of Bill’s adventures.  The tense hesitation of unfamiliarity melted away, and before long, Anna would have sworn that Bill and Renli were old friends.

The kinds of wizards I met in Pantos weren’t like you.  Now those were a shady bunch, Bill said.

Ah, well, in the north, magic is far less formal.  Here in Sadia, we keep tight control on who teaches magic and whom they teach.  There are some errant wizards here and there, mostly from other countries, but I reckon I know every other magician in the kingdom.  I know every master, at least, and we meet annually at the dawn of the new year.

Mr. Marin, Jabin said suddenly.  His face was deadly serious, which made Anna’s heart leap.  He seemed to have been holding something inside for quite some time, and she feared what it may have been.  May I ask you a question?

Bill’s lips fought off the immediate frown that came to them.  He nodded.  What is it, boy?

Anna gave her father a stern look for the way he addressed Jabin.  However, the wizard didn’t seem to mind.  He continued.  Have you ever been to Seamire?

Seamire? Bill repeated, the frown winning over and settling on his lips.  There was quiet in the room as he leaned back into his seat and thought.  I’ve been there.  Once.  It’s not a place I would ever go back to.

Anna took in a deep breath of air.  That didn’t bode well.  With Jabin sitting right next to her, she couldn’t get a good look of his reaction.  Renli had masked his own emotions and only watched on with a placid expression.

Why is that, sir? Jabin asked.

There are many who say that the underworld is a place of fiery despair, but I believe hell is a cold, barren wasteland, and its name is Seamire.

Bill, Genevia chided.  She didn’t like the talk of the underworld.  However, Bill was so deep in thought that he didn’t even hear her objection.

The only thing colder than the landscape is the people.  They’re suspicious and untrusting of any foreigners, and fiercely loyal to one another.  If you wrong one Seamirian, you wrong them all, and you better be prepared for an onslaught until you’re chased off their land or dead.  Does that answer your question?

There was an uncomfortable silence in the room, and Bill wasn’t at all sorry for creating it.  Anna stared at her father, shocked at his diatribe.  She had never heard him speak so fiercely on an issue.

Yes, sir, Jabin said.  He sat up straight with squared shoulders, but his voice had lost its confidence.  Anna felt the same hopelessness deep inside.  This was the place Jabin wanted to go chasing after Noori.  Would it all be for nothing?

Your magic will be of no use to you up there.  It won’t get you out of any jams.  They say magic is in those people’s blood.  You have your masters and your careful studying, but they use their magic to survive.  And don’t expect to ever get them to teach you about it.  They’d sooner off themselves than tell a foreigner their secrets.

Bill, Genevia said once again, this time with more emphasis.  She looked around the room, embarrassed for her husband’s behavior.  I’m sorry about him.  He gets passionate about his old travel stories.  He has a penchant for being dramatic.

Bill scoffed at his wife’s words, but he didn’t push the issue any further.  Jabin spared a glance towards Anna, and she offered up a weak smile.  She knew what he was thinking.  It was going to be impossible to convince her father to let her go with Jabin to Seamire.  Even she had lost much hope at the idea.

What’s that look? Bill asked.

Anna looked at her father, surprised at his powers of perception.  Of course, being a businessman and explorer all his life, he was good at reading people.  She cursed herself for being so careless.  She looked up to Jabin for help.  Jabin let out a tiny sigh before speaking.

The woman who poisoned the prince is from Seamire.

Bill let out a cruel laugh.  That’s the least surprising thing I’ve heard all day.  Probably sent by that group of charlatans I hear is running the place.

What do you know about the royal family, Mr. Marin? Renli interjected in a calm, curious tone.

As much as anyone outside that country can know - almost nothing, Bill said.  I still have friends in the trade of seafaring and adventuring, and they bring me news of the outside world that I’m missing out on.  I’ve heard little more than rumors.

I don’t suppose you would mind spreading those rumors just a bit further, then?  To a curious old man?

There’s a group of five or so, Bill said.  Though in my day, there were twelve, and some time ago, there were seven.  All siblings of a branch of the royal family tree that had fallen off.  Except this branch grew its own roots and strangled the original tree.  Anyway, as the greed grows, their numbers get smaller.  They rule through fear and paranoia and outright violence, when necessary.  I’ve heard all of them know magic that would best be stuck in Seamire.  If they ever got organized, they could overtake our country with just their group.  But for now, Seamire holds enough to satisfy their hunger for more money and power.

That’s very interesting, Renli said.  I’ve reached out to contacts to discern how the Seamirians share their knowledge of magic.  None of the other masters know anything about the magic of Seamire.  They’re our northern neighbors, and yet we know so little about them.  It’s peculiar.

It’s lucky that they keep to themselves.  If a particularly motivated Seamirian ever took power, there would be little hope for the rest of us.

Then let’s hope that day never comes, Renli said with a friendly smile.

I can drink to that, Bill said.

The tense mood dissipated while the men continued their cooking and passed around Castellan ale.  Anna shared a smile with her mother, happy to see Bill and the others getting along.  Just before dinner was finished, the door came open and an exhausted Sandia stepped through the door.  Even more introductions were made, and then the two families sat down to share dinner. 

Anna had never felt such warm happiness.