“Or we are missing something important. The way she attacked the triplets was out of character. Of course, I don’t blame her, those girls are terrible on their best day, but what she did was ruthless bordering on cruel. Not to mention the power it took to coordinate her attack on all three which if I didn’t know better had the quality of a seer.”
Icarus's heart pounded. Of course, she had seen and surmised the same as he had and that was without witnessing the way she had used fighting skills that Cal had spent years perfecting. Seers had been known to form mental connections to others that they felt strongly about or from a violent event. There was no world in which he could convince Sidonia Sinclair of what she already knew. The most he could hope for was to point her attention away from his brother.
“There hasn’t been a proper seer in decades if not longer. Not to mention seers are said to manifest their powers early and violently,” Icarus said.
Sidonia met his gaze. “Like Seren Marudas?”
Icarus scoffed. “Miss Marudas is no seer. Of that I am certain.” At least he could speak at least an ounce of truth.
Sidonia’s knowing eyes finally released his as she tapped her thumb with the clawed ring against the table creating a distinct noise. It was one of her tells that he had spent years learning. She was frustrated. Like him, Sidonia appreciated puzzles, but she quickly grew restless when she couldn’t decipher the answers.
“I agree. Still, there’s no denying that something is happening with both of them. I didn’t know what to expect when I learned two sisters, two powerful sisters, would be under my charge, but this wasn’t it.”
“They are certainly unprecedented.”
Sidonia snorted. “That’s putting it lightly.”
Heaving a sigh and slapping the table, Sidonia stood. “I am going to oversee tonight's preparation in the hall. I know you are busy, but try to make time to join. We need all of us if we are to be ready.”
Icarus nodded, flipping his pocket watch open to see the time. Still another hour til their lesson.
“And Icarus,” Sidonia called from the doorway. “No more secrets, all right?”
Icarus' body felt tense like a piece of wood right before it breaks. “Of course, Sidonia.”
She watched him a moment longer before leaving him to consider that maybe it was true that he could not escape his fate as a traitor.
He stared at the time on his watch once more as if it would be any different. Unfortunately, an hour was too long to wait. Hastily scrawling out his message he released the magic letting it find its intended recipient.
No sooner had he felt the magic connect before a scroll appeared before him in a puff of green smoke. The feel of her magic settled over him and he allowed himself the briefest of indulgences to appreciate how right it felt. Like coming home after a long time away.
Our lesson isn’t for another hour. You can’t just expect me to jump when you call. That wasn’t part of the agreement.
She didn’t even bother to sign her name. With no one to witness his pitiful existence, he let his mouth tilt up in a smile. Gods, why was she always so difficult? She could never make anything easy and yet it was one of her most endearing qualities.
Icarus sent his response, careful not to let his amusement show.
You are a student, Miss Marudas. You are expected to comply when given orders.
-IA
He knew she would be fuming and yet after Sidonia’s visit, he felt on edge enough that he welcomed her chaotic energy.
I am indisposed. I will be there when I can be there.
Amusement quickly gave way to irritation. He had expected her to protest, but this level of stubbornness was bordering on aggravating. Frustration burned in him along with the leftover tension from Sidonia’s visit. He knew where she was. Where she spent all her free time lately. Whether Lily Sinclair was there or not was an unknown factor, he would have to risk.
The blue portal opened easily as he stepped through into the library. Seren was curled up in the corner with a large, worn book and a scroll littered with notes next to her. What could only be described as something close to a squeal left her as he stepped through, the portal disappearing behind him.
As she always did, she recovered quickly, wide eyes quickly becoming sullen and bored. Despite her attempt to hide it, her fire was always visible.
“Sending angry scrolls wasn't enough. You had to come interrupt my peaceful evening in person.”
Her irritation was rarely so directed at him. They had settled into a meticulous existence in their lessons. Always bordering on something that was dangerous and impossible. That she let her guard down this much was a testament to how rattled she was.
“What happened?” he asked, trying to bite down on the anxiety running up his body.
Seren glared at him, her dark eyes practically made of coal. She huffed out an irritated breath and slammed the book down on the floor before standing and shoving her things into her satchel.
