Royal Institute of Magic: The Shadowseeker (Book 2) by Victor Kloss Page A

we can talk without being overheard. They also do fantastic cakes.”
    “I'm sold. Let's go,” Ben said.
    They passed the Institute's manicured garden, with its water fountain, and through the open gate. Soon they were heading down the hill along the cobbled path that was lined either side by trees and torch lamps. Halfway down, Ben caught a smell that made his mouth water. He turned instinctively and saw the most incredible cakes lining the front of a small café, with the words “Fuddleswell Tea Room” above the door.
    “This is the place,” Natalie said.
    Inside was busy – not surprising given the food on offer. Cakes, scones with cream and jam, and all sorts of teas and coffees created a feast for the eyes and nose. Small circular tables surrounded by chairs were laid out haphazardly across the room. By sheer luck, they managed to snag a table by the window.
    A young girl dressed all in white with a black apron came over, took their order and gave Natalie a small white pellet. She loaded it into her spellshooter and, after the food had arrived, fired it above their heads. A shimmering field surrounded them and the external noise receded to an inaudible mumble.
    “Privacy at last,” Natalie said, with a smile. “We can talk freely. The spell isn't that strong, but I can detect if someone penetrates the field. If that happens, I will slap the table lightly and we must stop talking at once.”
    Ben and Charlie took turns bringing Natalie up to speed. When Ben recalled the incident in the library, her eyes widened.
    “How certain are you of what you saw?”
    “Not certain at all. I have no idea if I really saw a flash of steel, and even if I did, there could be a dozen possible explanations for it.”
    “I'm not so sure,” Charlie said.
    “Whatever. I'm not going to freak out about it,” Ben said. “And I'm certainly not going to tell the directors what I may or may not have seen. That would kill any chance we have of looking for my parents.”
    “That's true,” Natalie said. She looked worried, but Ben was pleasantly surprised that she showed more understanding than Charlie had. “I wonder what Dagmar was doing,” she continued. “It was lucky she happened to be there, in case anything did happen. I know she's only a Scholar, and she might be rather small, but she is really good with a spellshooter. Wren wanted her to join the Department of Spellswords. I bet she could handle a Shadowseeker.”
    “Speaking of Shadowseekers,” Ben said, turning to Charlie. “Can you let us know what you found out about them?”
    “You managed to find something in the library?” she asked, sitting up a little straighter.
    Charlie revelled in her disbelief, and his cheeks went a little rosy. “It wasn't that hard. You would have found it just as easily as me.”
    “Moving on from the ego-massaging… what did you find?” Ben asked.
    “I couldn't find much on Shadowseekers beyond the fact that they are a special forces unit that serve Suktar directly.”
    “Draven said they were assassins,” Natalie said.
    “Not always. I read an article where one was sent in to rescue a prominent dark elf captain from a heavily barricaded dwarf stronghold. That was basically all I could find. There were references to other books, but I have a feeling we don't have access to them.”
    “Fair enough,” Ben said. “What about Guardians?”
    Charlie smiled. “I made better progress with that. I found a book, by an author called Frederick Von Lipzig.”
    “A nice, traditional English name.”
    “Quite,” Charlie said. “I wanted to look him up, but I didn't have the time. Anyway, the book is called Truths, Myths and Legends of the Royal Institute of Magic . He discusses many different historical topics, and debates whether there is any truth in them or whether they are myth or legend.”
    “So what did he say about Guardians?”
    Charlie paused to heighten the tension. Ben almost felt like slapping him.
    “A Guardian is a