Amari and the Night Brothers: Chapters 10–16

But there’s still the troubling matter of how the girl became a magician. It’s been more than two centuries since the last rogue magician emerged, and he quite famously blew himself up.

“Can I start by acknowledgin’ that the kid’s supernatural ability didn’t pop up as evilness or spite,” says Magnus.

“Now then, as Director of the Unexplained, I believe the great many unanswerable questions surrounding young Amari here mean that she falls squarely under my jurisdiction.”

Also, it may be prudent to explain to her exactly why being a magician has caused such a commotion.

“I rushed over right after with a couple of my best researchers to have a look at the damage...and there just wasn’t any. The ball was in pristine condition, its magic functioning normally.”

“I trust he’s still away on sabbatical in the Wandering Isles?”

“Lock her up for something she can’t help? Fiona’s already proven the girl isn’t up to anything nefarious.”

I won’t compromise the safety of the Bureau, understand?

Elsie’s request is that I go with her to the aerial dance floor. She swears it’ll lift my spirits.

Your brother’s supernatural ability was quite literally Super-Genius Aptitude—we could show him nearly anything once and he’d learn it, just like that.

You are a magician, a criminal, and should you fail to prove you belong here, the chief will have no choice but to implement my suggestion to take your memories and send you home to be monitored.

“So none of ye are any good at heeding warnings?” asks Agent Fiona.

Because ye know what I see when a lass is maligned for something she can’t help and yet she still shows up anyway?

"Second,” she continues, “the last tryout is called the finale. It’s a culmination of all the training you’ve received..."

JUNIOR AGENT TRAINEE SUMMER CAMP SCHEDULE
Week 1
–Supernatural Investigations Tour
–Supernatural Knowledge Exam
–Intro to Sky Sprints
–Supernatural Immersion

JUNIOR AGENT TRAINEE SUMMER CAMP SCHEDULE
Week 1
–Supernatural Investigations Tour
–Supernatural Knowledge Exam
–Intro to Sky Sprints
–Supernatural Immersion

I stare up at the various wanted posters and Agent of the Month plaques.

We follow it past the Briefing Auditorium to the tall wooden door protecting the Great Vault that Agent Fiona says is impenetrable.

One of the seven great beasts, the abominable snowman, has been hibernating there for nearly three centuries, and sedatives must be given on a monthly basis to ensure he continues his slumber. He ain’t called abominable for nothin’.

Agent Fiona’s face blanches. “How’s that possible?”

I’m sure the red alert you all experienced must have been very disconcerting.

Rather than have you kids idle, we’ve moved up tomorrow’s Supernatural Knowledge examination to today.

“Of course they are,” says the elevator in a snooty voice. “This carpet is made of fine hand-woven unicorn hair—shed not shaven—and it will not be blemished by the likes of you!”

As far as we know, Moreau is the only magician with enough magic to create hybrids. A spell that can warp nature so perversely is typically far beyond his apprentices.

“What we are saying is that someone we believe to be connected to Moreau is creating these hybrids. And we don’t know the first thing about this new magician. So when Agent Fiona came to me with what I’ll admit is a rather outlandish proposal, I found myself forced to consider it,” says Chief Crowe.

Scary creatures slither and skulk about; some scream constantly, while others have laughs so cold I can feel it in my bones.

Remember this—there is only weakness and strength. The strong have imposed their will on the weak since the beginning of time.

“I’m supposed to ask you some questions.”
“And I have questions for you too,” he replies. “Whatever will we do about this little conundrum?”

Moreau snarls, and the cage becomes a tempest of swirling black clouds.

I am not some inconsequential lackey the Bureau can bully for information.

I am not some inconsequential lackey the Bureau can bully for information.

You can either accept or you can leave empty-handed whilst utter chaos is wreaked upon your precious Bureau.

Only a very powerful magician could bestow the kind of magic you possess, the likes of which no longer exist aside from myself. It is far more likely that you were born a magician.

You might think his being taken was a simple matter of revenge, but I can assure you that we have far more substantial schemes at play.

Once we leave Blackstone Prison, Lord Kensington brings me to the Department of Supernatural Investigations to be debriefed, same as the adult agents whenever they get back from an important mission.