“Good. Now leave.”
He snatched his keys from my hand, and I ran out the chamber door. I fled the library as quickly as I could, my breath coming in short pants. When I reachedthe hallway, I leaned against the cool wall. Its temperature licked at the heat of my skin.
The entire plan felt like a waste of time and too large a risk. I didn’t know why my dream had suggested the journal held the answers I sought. It had revealed nothing about Willam, but it shifted my perspective.
Marcum and the Guild surely knew about Acaelar’s prophecies. So what was their actual goal?
One thing was certain, though: I could tell no one what I read. If Marcum or any other member of the Guild found out, then there was no way I was leaving the facility alive.
Chapter 41
“Vows made to the gods are allowed while in service of the Order,
so long as they do not supersede the directive.”
- Article 2, Section 4, of the Veiled Compendium
When I reached the gym to spar, there was still no sign of Rowan. Instead, Naia and Renata were both inside.
They had their hands intertwined and were giggling with one another. It sounded so foreign to hear Renata giggle I didn’t believe it at first. But sure enough, she was smiling, laughing, and looking enthralled with Naia.
I stopped so abruptly that my shoes scuffed the floor, drawing their attention.
Naia’s demeanor didn’t change, but Renata’s warming smile dropped, and her usual scowl returned.
Naia cupped Renata’s cheeks and kissed her forehead.
“I’ll see you later.”
Renata nodded.
Naia sauntered toward the exit, brushing past me, and whispering in my ear as she left.
“Don’t let her bully you.”
I watched Naia exit, stunned at how someone like her could be with Renata.
“Hey,” Renata scolded, snapping my attention back in place. “Don’t stare.”
“I wasn’t staring,” I said a bit too defensively.
She narrowed her eyes for a moment and then asked, “Are you finally ready to train?”
“Yes.”
“About time.”
I stepped onto the mat and assumed the fighting position while Renata tied her hair up into a bun.
“Have you ever thought about binding your soul to Naia?”
Both of them seemed to be committed to one another, and since marriage was outlawed between Veilers, it made sense that they would consider the ultimate vow instead. Marriage was paper, easily torn.Netali’s Vowwas irrevocable.
“What was not clear about the phrase:we are not friends?”
She threw a punch, and I flinched back, but it still landed.
“I was just curious.”
