Amund reaches for it wordlessly. His hands brush mine as he takes the candle, sending a surge through me. But his touch is too brief. I already miss it as he holds the candle close to his chest. I stand beside him instead, our shoulders not quite touching.
“Idris was taken from us too soon,” Helga continues. I’m not sure how long she’s been talking for, or what else I missed. I was lost in Amund. “He leaves behind his beloved wife, Maeve.”
Maeve is beside her, tears running down her cheeks. She sobs loudly, so at odds with how calm and collected she normally is. I can’t imagine the pain she must be in. Eva is with her, rubbing her back. She pulls Maeve into an embrace, hugging her tightly.
Amund nudges my hand with his free one, like he’s asking me for permission.
I take his hand in mine, intertwining our fingers.
“I almost didn’t come,” Amund admits quietly. “I knew I’d get emotional, and I didn’t want Father or the other hunters to see me like this. But I had to come for Idris. There’s no one I respected more. He showed me a different path, one I didn’t even know was possible until he walked it.”
Like loving a berserkr?some small part of me wants to ask.
I press my lips together. One way or another, love always ends in loss.
“For the second time in our history,” Helga continues, “a wild berserkr has gotten past our gates. This was a tragic incident, one we’re doing everything in our power to ensure never happens again. Our duty is to protect our students and staff.”
“Is that true?” I ask, glancing over at Amund.
He shakes his head but can’t bring himself to say more at first.
His voice is thick with emotion as he adds, “Idris… he was one of our best, but he died just like Emilía did. I saw that symbol on him, the one you asked me about. The three triangles.”
I look out over the rest of the school. So it was Isaac after all. How can Helga stand there and lie to everyone? There’s a killer in Skallagrim. Until he’s caught, we’reallin danger. As I search the crowd, I realize someone else is missing.
Isaac.
I thought he would target another girl, but it makes sense he’d go after a hunter, too. A hunter killed his and Tala’s best friend a few years ago. Maybe itwasIdris.
Helga continues with her speech. “It’s up to all of us now to continue his legacy. My hope is it will be a legacy of love. Idris wanted nothing more than to help us overcome our differences. We areallpractitioners of seiðr.”
Someone taps my shoulder.
I slip my hand free of Amund’s and turn to see Nils standing behind us, his forehead creased. “Hey, Edith. My brother isn’t giving you a hard time, is he?”
I exchange a look with Amund. “No, I’m okay,” I tell Nils. “You?”
Nils’s mouth contorts into a grimace. “I’m doing as well as I can be, given the circumstances. Why don’t we get dinner together soon? I was hoping we could talk, but this probably isn’t the best place for it. How’s Tuesday?”
Guilt twists my insides.
I already agreed to meet Amund for dinner then. But Idefinitelycan’t mention that to Nils. Given his shaky relationship with his brother, he would take it the wrong way no matter what I say. He could misunderstand and mistake it for a date. I also can’t tell him I’m working with Amund to try to catch Isaac either. Nils might be offended I’ve teamed up with his brother instead of him. Amund can handle himself, but Nils?
“Sorry, I already have plans.”
Nils glances between me and Amund, narrowing his eyes. “Then will you go to the Unity Dance with me?”
I blink, taken aback. “I…”
If I say no, Nils will just assume I’m going with his brother. I glance in Amund’s direction. Some part of me wishes Icouldgo with Amund. But how would that even work? A hunter and a berserkr together? No, that would be impossible now.
We’re more divided than ever.
Nils has a hopeful look on his face while he waits for my response. I don’t want to hurt his feelings. He was my first friend here. The first person to believe in my innocence. Don’t I owe him this much? At leastoneof us will be happy.
“I’d like that,” I say, forcing a smile.
Nils beams at me. “Can’t wait.”
