While both Mal and Maeve learned quite a bit from their illegal readings, they visited the Restricted Area of the Library for weeks with no success. Maeve assured him if they came up short, her father’s library, or even basement library, would provide answers.
But summer was too far away for Mal.
“Have you ever heard of a Lethifold?” Mal asked Maeve one night in the Dueling Hall.
They were mindlessly sending spells back and forth over conversation.
“I don’t believe so.”
“They are considered a highly dangerous dark creature.”
“Derived from lethum, Latin for ‘death’ possibly.”
“They’re said to be nothing more than a thin dark cloak, levitating off the ground with a carnivorous appetite. Only attacking at night. They suffocate their prey and then digest them.”
“Ah,” said Maeve. “So more likely ‘lethi’ as in levitate, and also lethal.”
“Thank you for the Latin lesson.” Mal sent a hefty hex her way.
“Anytime.” Maeve blocked it with ease.
He lowered his arm and stared at her.
“You’re going to duel tomorrow night.”
Maeve laughed.
“You’re ready.”
Her face flattened. “Oh, you’re serious?”
Mal crossed the circular dueling platform towards her. “Tomorrow. I’m putting your name down.”
In a swift motion, Mal dismounted the platform and made for the door.
“Hurry up, Sinclair. You’ve got Paragon duties. I know you wouldn’t dream of blowing those off.”
“Cheeky,’ whispered Maeve, with the hint of a smile.
Chapter 14
The Dueling Club’s weekly event had arrived. Maeve ran into Mal as she made her way to the dungeon.
“You know, you were right about something,” said Mal.
“I’m certain I’m right about many things.”
He rolled his eyes and ignored her. “In one of those books you gave me, it talks about Dread bloodline being able to speak and converse with serpents. I wonder if Kietel can?”
Maeve nodded. “I distinctly remember my father attempting to converse with snakes in the garden. He was rather disappointed, in the end.”
The Daily Divination wrote about Kietel every day. Every day he was a murderer, a traitor, a bigot and a liar. He wrote a speech the Daily Divination refused to print. The Starlight Gazete did though.
He defended his actions, calling out The Orator’s Office and her father even for conspiring against Magicals to obtain power. It was a call to action for all Magicals. And a threat to Magicals who opposed him.
“What do you think?” Asked Mal.
“I don’t know. I don’t understand it all.”
