I fight a smile. “I have a good teacher.”
“How is your otherassignmentgoing?”
“Slowly,” I admit. “I haven’t made as much progress as I hoped. But there was a development this weekend.” I scan the empty classroom to make sure we’re alone before I add, “The suspect visited the seer school. She claimed she was being followed.”
I make no mention of the doubt that’s been creeping in.
“You must have been sloppy if a new berserkr could detect you,” Father says with a frown. He pulls open a drawer and removes three pieces of lignite. “Take these, since you clearly need them. But know there aren’t any more after this.”
It wasn’t me that Edith detected, but I know better than to tell Fatherthat. Either way, these helm of concealments will definitely be useful. If Helga—or anyone else, for that matter—found out I was tracking Edith, I’d be in serious trouble.
Too bad these are the last three.
I’ll have to be careful how I use them.
“Thank you,” I say, brushing off his disappointment and tucking the lignite away. “She claimed another berserkr was following her, even though no one else was there.”
“No oneshouldbe.” He grunts. “That school was abandoned for good reason.”
I search his face, trying to judge whether or not I should ask him more, but I can’t stop myself from saying, “Actually, that wasn’t the only thing. Your portrait was there too.”
“Was it?” He focuses on his papers, seeming unconcerned. “You must be confusing me with Trygve.”
I’m not. I know I’m not. It had his name.
For some reason, Father doesn’t want anyone to know he’s a seer.
Not even me.
CHAPTER TWENTY-THREEEDITH
Nils and I leave History of the Sagas together. Right now he’s probably the only friend I have. Tala hasn’t spoken to me since Heightened Senses. She ditched me and Kris at lunch, sitting with Isaac instead, and wouldn’t even say hi when we passed each other in the hall. A lot of good warning her did.
There must be some way to get Isaac to admit the truth… Wait. That’s it. The potion Helga used on me. If only I could get my hands on a truth-teller potion, then I could make Isaac confess to killing Emilía. Tala wouldhaveto believe me. But how am I supposed to get one?
Maybe I should tell Nils—and ask for his help.
We walk through the hall together, surrounded by students. There are plenty of berserkir and hunters around, which means someone could easily overhear us. My gaze darts around the hall, looking for somewhere secluded we can talk alone.
I open the first door I can find.
A broom closet. Perfect.
Nils stares at me. “Edith?”
I grab his hand and pull him inside before closing the door behind us. “Nils, I—”
As I turn around, Nils leans forward, bringing his lips to mine—
I recoil before he can kiss me.
He looks wounded.
I flatten my back against the door, reaching for the doorknob.
Why did I do that? Sure, Nils is cute, and it’s not like I haven’t kissed plenty of boys. But I only kiss ones who aren’t interested in dating any more than I am. Somehow I suspect that isn’t the case for Nils. He’s sweet and thoughtful and kind.
Maybe Ishouldlike him. And I do, but only as a friend. I haven’t thought of Nils as anything more than that, but I guess he’s thought of me that way. My stomach dips. Did I accidentally mislead him? Did I somehow give him the wrong idea? What if he hates me now?
