Whatever this was about, it centered Alaric.
But why would Bones think of me? Why would he approach me at all?
Had AlarictoldCaelum something?
Gods. I’d done this. I’d done this to him. Everything we’d been afraid of that night had happened. I’d been seen somehow. They’d gotten through my shield, through Alaric’s chimaera.That night on The Eyrie, someone on the other side must have––
You can’t fucking do this here. Stop thinking about him. Stop thinking about any of that shit. Just stop. Clear your mind.
The near-silent words whispered over my magic, little more than faint vibrations. I could feel the anger there, even through his silence. I felt his frustration with me, and something about it was so eerily familiar, I shut down my mind completely.
I closed my eyes, and took a breath.
I turned to Graham, but my expression still felt utterly blank. I stretched my lips into something approximating a smile, and hoped anything about it looked remotely natural.
“Wow,” I said. “Alaric left school? I admit, you’ve shocked me. I had no idea… I missed breakfast this morning, and haven’t talked to anyone yet.” I turned around in my chair, laying my arm on the chair back. “Are you sure he’s really gone? And no one has any ideawhyhe had to leave?”
Greythorne visibly relaxed.
The contrast made me wonder just how bad I’d looked before.
His hawk ruffled its feathers, then turned its red eye to stare at me.
“No one I talked to knows the real story, not yet, at least,” Graham said, his voice back to lofty. “And no one’s seen him since, including a friend of mine who should’ve had Magical Botany with him at eight. So it’s likely he’s gone at least for today. We’ll find out soon enough if the rest is rubbish or not.”
His voice lightened even more, colored by his smile.
“…I suppose his mates among the royals know the real story. You got anyone you can ask?” When I didn’t answer, he hesitated, back to gauging my eyes. “I’m sure it’s nothing too terrible, Leda. You can’t believe what passes for gossip in thisplace. I’d wager it’s some family thing. He’ll be back in a few days. A week at most.”
I nodded and fought the stiff smile back to my face.
“I’m sure you’re right.” I couldn’t help hearing how strange and bland my voice sounded, but Strangemore didn’t seem to notice. “He’s a friend, though,” I added. “I can’t help being worried about him. Someone could have died. Or something worse. I just hope it’s nothing serious. Do you have anyone you could ask about it?”
My mind felt completely disconnected from the words coming out of my mouth, but if any of that showed on my face, Graham didn’t react. He smiled benevolently, leaning closer so that his arms rested on the chair-back next to mine.
“I could ask around for you, if you want,” he said sympathetically. “And maybe you could try writing him? I’m sure he’d tell you what really happened, with the two of you being such pals.”
I nodded and bit my lip.
Movement at the front of class drew my eyes. Forsooth’s bear primal lumbered along as Forsooth himself stopped just behind the table covered in magical scales, brass protractors, telescopes, crystal balls, potion bottles, and stacks of unrolled and rolled scrolls. He set down his stack of papers and muttered under his breath.
“So, Friday?” Graham asked hopefully, nudging my arm. “Do you think you’ll still go? To Forsooth’s party, I mean.”
I nodded slowly. I tried to keep my expression thoughtful, if a little blank when I turned to face him. “I mean, yes, probably. Miranda will drag me there by force, if need be, now that she and Jolie ordered dresses. I won’t be going with Alaric, obviously…”
I nearly choked on his name.
Avoiding Graham’s eyes, I glanced forward as Forsooth continued to arrange his papers. Only after I’d gotten my breath back, my heart beating again, did I turn back to Graham.
“If you want to come along with my group of friends,” I said brightly. “I don’t see why not? I’m sure they’d be happy to have you.”
Graham’s smile widened at once. “That would be great! Shall we all meet in the foyer at eight? Before the party, I mean?”
I nodded, forcing my eyes to meet his. “Sure. That would be fine.”
It felt like I had to force each word out of my lips.
My smile felt painful, like I was grimacing at him.
