“Sir, I’m just as overwhelmed as anyone else. But the mountain called, and I answered. The magic has become stronger even from the time I left the cave until my arrival here.”
“You cannot believe this child, Tymon. It’s ridiculous.”
“It’s not, Dorian,” Tymon said, smiling at me. “You see, her friend Elex contacted the Geology Guild, who, in turn, contacted me to let me know there was a cave that needed exploring, and I instructed them to send several geologists and two of our master magic wielders to check this cave and our acolyte’s claim.”
Tymon whirled around to Dorian and considered him. “I am not afraid of the Breaking Time. I would welcome them. It’s been millennia. It’s time.”
His ice-cold eyes found mine over Tymon’s shoulder. “Her. Of all people in S’Kir? Her.”
“Who are you asking that question of, Dorian? Me or the magic?”
Releasing my gaze, he fixed his sights on Tymon. “You’ve sent someone out to survey this place she claims called her?”
“Elex Everettson is one of our finest trained geologists, and his gift with magic is strong. I trust his word, and he is in my purview. Why do you not trust one of your own?”
Tymon stared at the angry, ancient druid who was hiding behind Lunella.
Was this old, wise man actually a coward?
I held my breath, the air burning in my lungs. I wasn’t scared of Dorian. While he was my teacher and the master of the school, he was generally… an ass. But I was not going to be afraid of him or doubt what had happened to me.
“I trust her,” he finally said. “If your study team has seen the cave she claims is breaking—”
“They will be reporting back in just a few minutes.”
“And you won’t take me at my word?” I cast a glance at him
“We have had hysterical claims like yours before. I won’t take steps based on the claim of just one acolyte teacher who was, until just moments ago, barely adept at using magic.”
Lunella turned and stared at Dorian. “You are being quite the asshole to this young woman.”
“We have had false alarms.”
Her arms folded in disappointment. “You do not have to make her feel like this is not important! All our acolytes—imbued with magic or not—are critical to the survival of this temple and this school. So, Master Dorian, shove it.”
I liked Lunella.
A heartbeat passed, and he pivoted on his heel and marched out of the rotunda with a sound of disgust.
Tymon and Lunella shook their heads and dismissed him. Turning back to me, they smiled—and I could see they were genuinely pleased I had come to them with the news.
“Have you eaten tonight, Miss Raven?”
“Yes, mistress, hours ago.”
“Then allow me to offer you a drink.” A graceful hand motioned me to the inner sanctum of the Masters’ Hall, and there was no way to refuse. “Let’s at least wait for Mister Everettson in comfort. There are things to discuss yet.”
The sitting room, done in shades of ivory and red, and peppered with all kinds of chairs, chaises, and sofas, was a welcoming, lush retreat from the massive, echoing chamber of the entrance hall.
I was in a sacred space now. This was something I hadn’t anticipated or expected. I thought perhaps that I might wait in the rotunda or an antechamber. Not the sitting room of the masters.
“Mistress Lunella.” I dared to lay a hand on her arm and keep her from walking away from me. “Please. If this is the Breaking Time, is it not an appropriate time to begin the celebrations? Don’t the people of S’Kir—”
The grin she graced me with was blinding. “My dear. If this is the Breaking Time, our joyous celebrations shall last through years. The people of S’Kir have kept the Lost God alive. That he will return to us and reunite us with our vampire brethren is cause for joy.”
She leaned in closer to me but stared at where Dorian had planted himself in the corner. “We may even be able to get a smile out of Master Dorian.”
My chuckle slipped out.
