“I-I’m sorry,” I say, fumbling for words. “I just—I wasn’t expecting that.”
“Isn’t that why you brought me in here?” He looks around the broom closet with raised eyebrows. “I thought you—”
“I only wanted to talk.”
“Oh.” Nils flushes. “Oh,” he repeats, seeming to grow more embarrassed. He drags his hands down his face, swearing under his breath. “I totally misread the situation. I’m sorry, I shouldn’t have done that.”
“It’s okay,” I reassure him quickly. “It was just a misunderstanding. Don’t worry about it.”
Nils nods, but he still looks disappointed as he offers me a tight-lipped smile. “Yeah. Okay.”
Awkward silence settles over us. I fidget with my skirt, not sure what to do with my hands or what to say. I look around the broom closet, at the shelves crammed with books, the bucket of dirty water, the mops and brooms, and the small desk in the corner—anywhere except at Nils.
He clears his throat. “What did you want to talk about, anyway?”
“Oh. Right.” I blow out a breath, trying to focus. “I found who that scent from Emilía’s room belongs to—it’s one of my classmates, Isaac. But my friend is dating him too, so I tried to warn her, but…”
“I’m guessing it didn’t go well,” Nils says heavily.
I frown. “She wouldn’t believe me. It’s not like we’ve known each other for long, and with Emilía’s death being kept under wraps, it’s my word against Isaac’s. Worse, I’m pretty sure she’s going to tell him what I accused him of.”
“So he knows you’re on to him. Which means you could be in danger now.”
I’m pretty sure I already am, but I decide not to mention being stalked through the halls of the seer school by the potential killer this weekend. “Yeah.”
Nils runs a hand through his curls. “You should have come to me first, Edith.”
“I know, but I-I panicked. I was worried Tala was in danger.”
“It’s okay.” Nils reaches for my shoulder, only to lower his hand. “We can figure this out.”
“Actually, I already have an idea, but I need your help.”
“Sure,” Nils says. “What do you want me to do?”
I nibble on a fingernail. I know firsthand what it felt like to be given the truth-teller potion without my knowledge or permission. But if Isaac really is the killer, isn’t it better to find out before he hurts someone else?
“Do you know where I can get a truth-teller potion?”
His eyebrows shoot up. “What? Why?”
“If I slip some into Isaac’s drink at the dining hall, I could get him to confess to killing Emilía in front of everyone.”
Nils rubs his chin, staring at the floor. “You won’t find any truth-teller potions on campus. They’re forbidden here.”
“Well, Helga used one on me.”
He seems lost in thought. “I would say I’m surprised she even has that, but… well, Aunt Hel can be a bit ruthless when it comes to protecting Skallagrim. And if she’s been keeping the recipe for it somewhere…” He meets my gaze. “I might be able to get a peek at it without her knowing.”
“Really?” I practically squeal. “Are you sure?”
“There’s never been a potion I can’t make.” Nils grins. “Let me search Aunt Hel’s spell books later this evening while she’s eating. As long as I can find the list of ingredients, I should be able to finish brewing one for you by tomorrow night. Come by the greenhouse before dinner.”
“That’s perfect. I’ll invite Tala and Isaac to dinner, saying I want to apologize.”
“And instead you’ll get his confession,” Nils says slowly.
I nod. “Exactly.”
