Read Mistress of Magic for Free Online

this is a board meeting. And we’ll be voting on a number of things,” Rick said.
    “And we should get to it, right?” Max said. He backed away from their foursome to address Jesse and Niles, as well. “Coffee and water are on the table. Let’s get to this, shall we?”
    Reggie felt herself suddenly propelled along. Then she was being seated in one of the massive leather chairs that surrounded the highly polished table.
    Wesley Blake was at one end of it, next to her. Her brother was at the other end. Rick Player was on the other side of her, and Niles and Jesse were across the table.
    “Who wants to start?” Max asked. Long moments of silence followed his words. “Come on, now. I called this meeting because I’m aware of the things being written in the papers, and because I know how concerned you all are.”
    Rick Player cleared his throat, leaning forward. “All right, let’s lay it all right on the table. You’re right, Max. We are concerned.” He waved a well-manicured hand in the air. “This place is based on fantasy. On family values. Max, how many parents are going to bring their children to a park whose creator is being accused of murder?”
    Though it was true and a good point, Reggie didn’t care. She jolted forward. “We don’t even know that there has been a murder, and if there has, Max didn’t commit it,” she stated flatly.
    “Reggie, Reggie!” Rick murmured, sorrowfully shaking his head at her. In that one glance he seemed to tell her that things might have gone differently—might have!—if she had agreed to dinner. And whatever else might have come with that singular meal. But she had scorned him one time too many, and she—and Max—were going to pay. “Reggie, it doesn’t matter whether Max is guilty or not. Heck, if he had throttled Daphne, not many men would really blame him!”
    “And you would know, right?” Reggie suggested sweetly.
    Rick slammed a hand on the table. “Regina, there was no call for that!”
    “And Max is innocent!”
    “Regina!” Max said sharply, entering into the fray. She clenched her teeth. Max didn’t like being defended by his sister. He was a big boy, one who liked to go to battle for himself. Or maybe it was just that he didn’t want his sister waging war. Perhaps he would accept a little battle assistance from elsewhere.
    But Wesley Blake was sitting at the end of the table in silence. His hands were folded, resting idly in his lap. His keen hazel eyes seemed almost shielded by the fall of sandy lashes. Was he intensely paying attention? Or was he bored silly? It was impossible to tell.
    It seemed that he intended to let Max sink or swim on his own.
    “Let’s all simmer down here a little bit,” Niles suggested in a gentle, weary manner as he turned to Max. “This is a grave concern. Once all this hits the papers as more than speculation—well, then, we will be in trouble.”
    “Unless we get Max out of it quickly,” Jesse suggested unhappily. “Max could sell his shares and step aside for the time being. If we broadcast that as clearly and loudly as we can, let the papers and the media get hold of it, we might come out with our heads above water.”
    “Have Max sell out!” Reggie exclaimed, astounded.
    “It wouldn’t hurt to have Reggie do the same thing,” Rick said. “After all, their name is the same. It’s well known that they’re twins. The taint of one …”
    “It wouldn’t necessarily have to be forever. Just until this blows over,” Jesse suggested mildly.
    “Until Daphne—is found. One way or the other,” Niles said.
    “Is that what you want?” Max asked his older advisers flatly.
    Niles shook his head slowly. “No, it’s not what I want, Max—”
    “It’s Max’s park!” Reggie exclaimed. She just couldn’t believe what she was hearing.
    “It’s our park,” Max said softly to her. “Yours and mine, because we created it in our hearts. But it belongs to everyone here, too, and to the others out