123 Quotes by Charlie N. Holmberg

But how will I know if he’s acting strange?” Ceony asked. “He’s strange already.

The heart had the dark to balance out the light, the uncertainty to balance dreams.

All I knew to look for was a redheaded girl with strange magic. And you turned out to be Emery Thane’s apprentice, of all people. How is the bugger? Still kicking, I hear.

Emery’s eyes sparkled with amusement. Had she done something funny?“I’ve determined that I will teach you to cheat at cards for the day’s first lesson,” Emery announced. Ceony dropped her scissors. “I knew you were cheating!

Still, it could only be to her benefit if he thought her naïve. Naïveté seemed the strongest card Ceony had to play, and she knew how to cheat at cards.

Don’t be ridiculous,” Mg. Aviosky assured her as Magicians Katter and Hughes studied Mg. Thane lying on the floor by the light of four candles. “The only one who can manipulate Emery Thane’s future is Emery Thane himself.

Perhaps,” Mg. Katter cut in, “she’s finally gotten smart. In and out, job done.”Mg. Hughes said, “No. Not her.” He paused. “She knows Emery is critical to the syndicate, they all do. He’s personally invested in it. That, and she’s always kept a . . . keen . . . interest in him.

From her pocket she pulled a tiny snowflake, the one she had stowed there after her first day as a Folder. She rubbed her thumb over its tiny, delicate cuts, grateful she hadn’t yet washed this particular skirt. The snowflake still felt frosty, just like real snow. Snow he had made for her. All of it had been for her in one way or another, hadn’t it? In the glow of the candlelight she said, “I have to do it. I have to save him.” For she knew no one else would.

She imagined Mg. Thane’s hands over her own, guiding her Folds, and squinted in the candlelight to ensure all her edges aligned and all her creases were straight.