I think of Edith, crying and covered in blood. She’s already been targeted once. Icannotlet anything else happen to her. “Then we really have to stop Irina.”
“I will handle her,” Helga says flatly. “You worry about securing the celebrations.”
I stare at her, stunned. “What?”
“The Unity Celebration must go on as planned.” Helga laces her wrinkled hands together. “Alumni and families have already startedarriving from all over the world. The celebration is intwo days. Canceling it now would be disastrous.”
“You aren’t going to warn everyone?” I ask, hoping I misheard her. “Until we have Irina—and the pelt—secured, a berserkr coulddie.”
“Many more will die if Skallagrim must shut its gates forever.” Helga sighs. “Which will happen if anyone gets wind of this,especiallyour board. After the Tragedy, the school was almost forced to close. If you’re right and this ritual really is being attempted, then it’s all the more reason why we must hold the Unity Celebration.”
“What?” I ask in disbelief.
“I’m going to announce the reopening of the seer school. It isn’t as if seers went away when the school was closed. I’m certain there are others here who share the ancient ability, not just Irina and your father. But without proper guidance and education, those powers are—”
“My fatherisa seer, then?”
She blinks in surprise, but then nods.
So I was right. Part of me didn’t want to believe it, even though the truth was right in front of me. His portrait stared me in the face in the cursed hallway of seers because he’sone of them.
“I-I didn’t realize that Agnar never told you.” She shakes her head. “Well, you had better speak to him yourself. And about security at the dance as well. You and your father are responsible for ensuring the Unity Celebration goes off without a hitch. I have to raise considerable funds to rebuild the school and rid it of the spirits plaguing it.”
“Isn’t that all the more reason to bring Irina in immediately?” I ask, hands fisting at my sides.
Helga arches a gray brow. “Until recently, you believed Isaac was the killer. What makes you so certain it’s Irina? I assume you haven’t found Egill’s pelt, or else you would’ve brought that with you.”
“Who else could it be?” I ask her.
“Besides Agnar, you mean?”
I freeze. “You don’t think my father could…”
Helga shakes her head. “No, I don’t. These killings have happened under his watch, and Agnar would never do something that makes him appear so incompetent. Besides, Agnar hasn’t used his seer powers since the Tragedy. As much as I dislike your father, I believe he would never harm Skallagrim. After what he witnessed, he’s dedicated his life to protecting it.”
I nod, relieved. “I don’t think so either.”
Father seems just as determined to catch the killer as I am.
“It’s just as possible that someone else, like Irina, inherited the seer ability but concealed it from us.” Helga leans forward, her joints creaking as loudly as her chair. “I’ll speak with Irina myself and get to the bottom of this. Regardless, it is your father’s responsibility to ensure no one else is harmed. If you’re concerned, then help him do his job. As far as anyone else knows, Idris’s death was an unfortunate accident, not part of a ritual. Understood?”
I grind my teeth.
Helga levels me with her gaze. “Do you understand, Amund?”
“Yes, Headmistress.” I force the words out.
As long as the killer is out there, Edith is in grave danger.
Forget about speaking with Father. I have to warn her immediately.
CHAPTER FORTY-THREEEDITH
Slices of smoked lamb cover my plate as I grab a seat in the dining hall, inhaling the charred smell and the salty brine. No matter how much I eat, I still feel starved. I take a big bite of the tender meat, teeth tearing into it. I devour mouthful after mouthful like a wild animal. I can’t remember ever feeling sohungry.
Bea slams her tray down on the table, spilling some grape juice. “Edith!”
“What’s got you so excited?” I ask, even though I suspect I already know. Jim and Patricia are on their way here. Their flight left from Logan Airport this morning, so they should be arriving anytime now. Not to mention the Unity Dance is in two days.
