Nils corks it and then gives the vial a good shake before handing it to me. “One truth-teller potion.”
I examine the dark liquid. “Will this be enough?”
“Once he drinks it, the effects should last about an hour.”
I carefully tuck the vial into my pocket. “Thanks.”
Nils hesitates, looking me over. “Are you sure about this, Edith? If you’re caught, you could get expelled.”
“I don’t have any other options,” I tell him, and mean it. To prove my innocence, I need to prove Isaac is guilty. If it turns out he really didn’t kill Emilía, then at least I can knock him off the suspect list. Either way, I’ll be one step closer to catching her killer.
“Why don’t I come with you?” Nils offers.
Before I can respond, the door springs open, and Eva, my Reading the Runes instructor, steps inside. I feel suddenly queasy. So much for not getting caught.
“There you are, Nils.” A smile spreads across her lips when she notices us together. “Now I see why you were late for dinner again.”
Wait. Eva is his mom?
Which means she must be Amund’s mom too.
AndHelga’s sister. Not good.
Nils steps in front of the table, hiding the copied recipe behind him. “Actually, I was thinking of eating with Edith tonight.”
“No, no, go have dinner with your mom,” I say quickly, reaching into my pocket to make sure the vial is still hidden there. “Isaac and Tala aren’t expecting you.”And they might get suspicious if you show up,I silently add.
“Right.” Nils rubs the back of his neck. “Okay.”
I clear my throat. “Thanks for your help.”
Eva nudges him. “What did you help her with, hmm?”
“Oh, just something for her headaches,” Nils says quickly.
I’m surprised how easily he lies to his mom. Then again, sheisthe headmistress’s sister, and also one of Skallagrim’s instructors. She’d be just as likely to punish him for making a truth-teller potion as anyone. He casts me a hesitant, sheepish look that suggests as much.
“Well, I’d better get going,” I say before hurrying outside.
Time to get the truth out of Isaac.
CHAPTER TWENTY-FOURAMUND
My chest aches as I watch Edith leave the greenhouse.
Some of my happiest memories with Nils were there. We tossed bilberries in the air and tried to catch them with our mouths. We helped Mother repot plants until the damp soil stained our hands. We peeled apart sycamore seeds and stuck them on our noses like rhinoceros horns.
The worst part is that it reminds me of whatcouldhave been.
That’s what I saw when I opened the door in the seer campus. If I had gone with them, my life would be completely different. No training tirelessly and enduring bruises and broken bones. I would be keeping Nils company in the greenhouse every day. Watching television every weekend instead of endless patrolling. Enjoying Mother’s cooking every night. I would have been comfortable. Safe.
Most of all, I would have beenhappy.
None of that is possible now.
The snap of the greenhouse door brings me back to the present.
I grip the helm of concealment tighter as Edith walks past me. Shetucks her hands in her coat pockets and hurries down the walkway. I follow her, eager to put as much distance as I can between me and my brother.
