Okay...I will start to do a Nathaniel POV too..not very soon, considering my lumbering pace but it will come. Please keep reviewing, its so encouraging!
John heard her statement and gave her a fleeting glance. Jane felt the indifference and rage leapt inside her. He just come in and bullies me. Just like the others, she had no control over her choice of life. Just when it seemed to go a particular way, someone else came in to snatch the reigns from her. If she took any step now, he would turn around coerce her with magic. So she let herself be dragged away by Mandrake.
His pale hand had closed about her wrist tightly, and as if sensing her dissent, he walked faster and pulled her along more forcefully than required. Jane grew angrier at his childish display of dominance, but let it simmer. Anger without correct timing could prove to be stupid, if not fatal, especially when dealing with a creature like him. She needed him to define his ideas, she wanted him to outline his new power and then she- …...
She still wouldn't know what to do.
She could sense his surety, his determination and a new confidence not born out of books and spells. She wasn't wearing her lenses, but she remembered the strange way his eyes looked; pale, shifting, reflective in the darkness that there was. She remembered the peculiar scream, from moments ago. It wasn't human, with an emotion underlining it. She could not hear fear, shock or pain. It was harmonic, sudden; it came and subsided with the winds which burst and died like the spark of a match.
Mandrake stopped and twisted her around to face him. After a fraction of a moment, he shoved her toward her new couch, where she sat just hours ago. Jane tried to gain whatever little composure she could and fought to keep her gaze away from him, lest the dam of temper break free.
How dare he shove me about? You will pay Mandrake. You will pay.
She took in silent breaths and folded her arms. She felt disgusted, hurt and above all, black with loathing. She wouldn't even treat a convicted prisoner this way. Or even a slave. She might snatch public freedom when arresting someone, but she respected the worth of life. His arrogance could only be borne out of some bloated idea of self worth; weak to begin with and hollow if tested.
He now sat facing her on the mahogany coffee table she chose herself, just a few weeks ago. How happy she had been then. She was a hard working magician, a powerful and beautiful woman of her own merit. Now this monster sat with steepled fingers and watched her with those strange eyes, like an animal debating methods of kill. She looked down fixedly.
"So..." he said, in his bland way. He was waiting for her to speak. Cheap etiquette, she thought.
Jane didn't respond. She was freezing up again. Now, however she wouldn't try to run or react. She would hear out his miserable story and veiled threats. And pray that she would figure a way out of this mess. He maybe powerful in new ways but was still human. And humans had finite limits of endurance.
"...I spoke to you earlier about family." He paused now and cocked his head, as if trying to catch her gaze. She hadn't looked up at all. He wondered if she was listening at all.
"...It is something unusual in this impersonal magician's world. Here we adpot and rear children to greatness. But then later, they cut each other to pieces for power." Mandrake stopped here and un-steepled his fingers.
Jane was listening. At this sentence, she looked up. Her green eyes sparkled, this time with curiosity. Mandrake's gaze was still fixed on her. He seemed serious, his dark eyes contemplating something.
"...So I studied-"
Jane whispered "...do you have any idea why?"
Mandrake blinked and looked unsure. "Er...what did you-?"
"You said they cut each other to peices for power. I asked you whether you knew why." Her words came out stronger, her voice more steady.
"Because people see what they learn. I learnt the same as you. I learnt that for success you work for yourself. You build for yourself, and if anyone gets in the way...well then.
You do what you're doing right now. And then you make lofty statements about family. Which doesnt count here Mr. Mandrake, because they do the same." Jane finished, her gaze intense and unfaltering.
John Mandrake now stood up and walked to edge of the room. He was queit for a few moments and then spoke in a soft tone.
"If you have had your say, I would like to continue." He looked annoyed but somehow harmless, which of course was not the truth. Jane felt affronted; he didnt even
consider her words. His arrogance seemed to fill the room.
"You are right in essence, and this is why London magicians discourage family. However there is this commoner science known as genetics and heredity, which has much to do with family."
A new wave of surprise played over Jane's face. Mandrake was not powerful, it seemed, but absurd. Magicians had long moved beyond this, and he thought he could break in like a common criminal and scare her with science text books of thirteen year old commoners.
"So, you will grow and graft families in a hidden place so that powerful magicians are born under your discretion.?" Jane asked innocently.
"Do you think magicians have not already been there and done that?" Jane smirked and smiled for the first time. An icy grin lit up her light eyes.
Mandrake sat down again and gave her an equally chilly glare. "I would appreciate you not interrupting everything I have to say. Probably this is why you have no companions, apprentice or otherwise. You have no patience for anyone but yourself. "
The grin froze and Jane said "You do not have the right to judge me, especially when I consider your behavior. I would say that whatever you say holds true for you too, Mandrake."
Mandrake held her gaze as she gave him a look of murder and looked away. It was evident that either was trying their best to be civil, but were itching to break that agreement. Mandrake looked forbidding and still, a marked difference to Jane's anger, which was burning her through and making her hands shake. Even though she kept them folded she couldnt trust herself for doing that for too long.
"I ask you again, to overlook this instance of my ahhh... dis-courteousness." He paused and looked at her. This time, the change in the imperious tone made her look up, but found his gaze moving swiftly up and down and almost trailing on her near bare shoulder.
She colored as she was irresistably reminded of the Prime Minister's Ball, of how the look made her feel different. Naively, she'd felt anger. And then other things as that feeling ebbed away. She felt new. Aware. Female. The feeling strangely, was the same now. She waited for him to look at her again. A slight smile played at her mouth. She suddenly knew the most potent game changer.
Herself.
He had come for her, talk to her, persuade her. Despite being all that strength, power and intimidation, it was her he'd wanted.
She would see how far this had to go.
I now prod you and wave enthusiastically towards that **tasty** green review button. Remember, veggies are good for health!
