“Amund…”
I shake my head. “We can regroup in Reading the Runes tomorrow. You should rest. You’ve been through a lot today.”
Edith hesitates, like she wants to say something more, but nods instead. “Yeah.”
When I leave, she doesn’t stop me.
In Reading the Runes, Edith acts normal. She takes the seat beside me, making no mention of last night. I’m grateful for that. Even if I’m still hyperaware of every movement she makes.
“Today, you’ll be analyzing runic inscriptions directly,” Mother calls out when class begins. “Each table will receive a different object. Work with your partner to identify which futhark it belongs to and translate it together.”
Edith winces when Mother places a sleek white object on our table. “Is that…”
“Bone? Yeah.”
As soon as Mother walks past, Edith turns to me. “Regroup, right? Let’s go over what wedoknow.”
I lean toward her, whispering against the shell of her ear so we can’t be overheard. “A seer stole Egill’s pelt nearly a month ago and has been using that pelt to go berserk. So far, they’ve killed Emilía and Idris. But we have no ideawhy.”
“There must be some purpose, though,” Edith murmurs, “or the killer wouldn’t be drawing the symbol.” She fiddles with the bone, turning it over in her hands. “I keep coming back to that. We know it’s a seer symbol. What does it have to do with the killings? Is it part of a ritual?”
Normally, I’d ask Father, but I’m hesitant to. He still hasn’t admittedheis a seer.
“If only we had access torealinformation on seers.”
“Well.” Edith looks up at me, her gray eyes gleaming. “There aren’t any in the library, but Irina has her aunt’s notebook. We could always…borrowit.”
“How would we do that?” I ask, folding my arms across my chest.
“Wecouldbreak into her dorm the next time she’s working at the library. The librarian said she’d see her Thursday, right?”
“She’d realize it was us.” I pause, thinking of how I snuck into Helga’s office. “I might have another way.”
Edith leans closer. “Oh?”
“There’s an unlocking spell I can use. We can slip in, look through the book, figure out what the symbol means, and then leave with her none the wiser.”
“What if someone sees us?” Edith asks.
“They won’t. We’ll use a helm of concealment.”
Edith frowns. “Like a helmet?”
A small laugh escapes me. “No, it’s a stave,” I say slowly. “One that conceals your presence completely, making it so you can’t be seen,heard, or even scented. It wouldn’t be the first time I’ve used it,” I admit, shame spreading through me. “When I thought you were the killer, I used it to follow you undetected.”
Edith blinks. “Really?”
“Not for long,” I say, averting my gaze. “I didn’t abuse it, if that’s what you’re worried about.” My cheeks burn.
“So was last night really your first time being in my room?” Edith asks, sounding playful.
I nod. “Any girl’s room.”
“Is that so?” Edith runs a hand over the runes carved on the bone. “Well, not for long, anyway.” She gives me a teasing smile. “Thursday that will change. After class, though. I don’t want to miss Transformation. Ireallyneed to learn how to control my ability, especially now that my foster parents will be arriving Thursday.”
“Of course.” I look her over slowly. The dance is happening this Saturday. Hard to believe I’ve known Edith for nearly a month already. It’s strange. Time has lost all meaning since I met her, like it’s been both longer than that but also less time. It feels like I’ve always known her. “I’ll ask Val to be our lookout—”
Mother clears her throat. “What are you two whispering so intently about, hmm?” She looks between us with a shrewd smile. “Runes, I hope?”
