The Conquering Dark: Crown by Clay Griffith, Susan Griffith Clay Griffith Page A

the room.
    â€œCharlotte,” Kate said for the tenth time, “please sit down.”
    â€œWho is this, Mr. Malcolm?” The girl looked at Malcolm as she pointed at a portrait of a woman.
    Malcolm didn’t look at the picture, grumbling, “I don’t know.”
    Simon said, “That’s Princess Augusta Sophia. The king’s younger sister.”
    â€œOh.” Charlotte stared at the auburn-haired woman in oil. She took a step and pointed at another. “Who’s this, Mr. Malcolm?”
    â€œI don’t know,” Malcolm muttered a bit louder.
    â€œMr. Malcolm doesn’t know, dear.” Kate froze Simon, who was opening his mouth preparing to answer. “And neither does Mr. Simon. Now, I must insist you sit next to me and stop pawing the king’s things.”
    Imogen made a grunting sound like a laugh. Charlotte giggled too.
    â€œWhat’s so funny?” Kate asked.
    Charlotte came toward Malcolm, playing hopscotch on the checkerboard-tile floor. “You said pawing. And I’m a werewolf.”
    Imogen snorted again.
    Kate shared a bemused look with Simon, but then he turned quickly at the sound of a door opening. King William entered the room, dressed in a common suit, his white hair mussed. The elderly king took in the crowd and smiled.
    â€œAh, here you are.” He closed the door behind him. There were no secretaries, no clerks, no valets, only the king himself.
    Simon inclined his head respectfully as Kate rose and curtsied. Charlotte yelped, trying to copy the curtsy. Imogen remained motionless, and Malcolm posed with an inhospitable glower.
    King William went to Kate and grasped her hand. “So good to see you, Miss Anstruther. Thank you for coming so promptly.”
    â€œOf course, Your Majesty. You may recall Mr. Simon Archer.”
    â€œI do, indeed! Welcome to Clarence House, Mr. Archer. I’m glad to speak to you under less tumultuous circumstances.” The king then caught sight of the focused Charlotte and smiled genuinely at her. “You may belay curtsying, my dear. One will suffice for the entire day.”
    â€œOh.” Charlotte covered her face with embarrassment.
    William chuckled pleasantly at her before greeting Malcolm.
    â€œThis,” Kate said, “is Malcolm MacFarlane.”
    â€œMr. MacFarlane,” the king said to Malcolm’s begrudging nod, “I saw your pistols in the antechamber. Remarkable. I’d say a brace of those equal the firepower of a sloop of war.”
    â€œThey serve.”
    â€œQuite, quite.” William narrowed his gaze at the Scotsman and turned with a bow to Imogen without the slightest hint that he found her mourning dress unusual. Her veil barely quivered in reaction. He motioned for everyone to resume their seats as he found a plain wooden chair. “First, I want to express my thanks again for your efforts at that horrible coronation. You have my gratitude, and that of Her Majesty the Queen as well.”
    â€œWe did little enough,” Kate said.
    â€œPlease, let’s speak plainly, Miss Anstruther. There is no one here but I. And I know what you are.”
    â€œSir?”
    â€œMagicians, Miss Anstruther. Conjurers. Alchemists. Sorcerers and the like. That’s why I sent for you. Those creatures who attacked the coronation were obviously not normal human beings, and they represent an extreme threat to this nation.”
    â€œWe are endeavoring to meet that threat, sir,” Kate said.
    â€œI’m sure you are, I’m sure you are. But I require more than that. I am the king, and I must have access to all the resources that can protect my subjects and preserve order in the land and across our empire.”
    â€œPerhaps you should speak a bit more plainly, sir,” Kate said with admirable clarity.
    â€œQuite.” The king was unaffected by the straight talk. He seemed quite content and sure of himself. “I want