Pushing the drawer shut, she declared, “Nothing useful here,” as she surreptitiously pocketed the note. “Any luck with you?”
“Doesn’t appear so,” Anadae said, her gaze lingering on Calya’s before she straightened up. “Let’s find the others.”
Brint and company watched them leave, but no one seemed to suspect Calya’s petty theft.
“There’s another cohort from Sylveren stationed here. A real one,” Ezzyn added. “We should try to find them.”
Lowe exited the building from a side door. Calya waved. He hesitated at the sight of her, but instead of coming over, he turned away and strode off toward the town.
“I’ll catch up with you later at the inn,” Calya muttered to her sister.
“Just don’t do anything reckless.”
“I would never.” She tossed her head. “We don’t share the same risk assessment—that’s different.”
Anadae blew a laugh through her nose, but she didn’t comment further. While she and Ezzyn headed toward the docks, Calya went after Lowe.
Chapter Ten
She caught up with him within seconds. “You’re ignoring me.”
“I’m working,” he replied.
“As am I.” Calya kept pace with him. “We both agree that something is wrong here.”
Lowe grunted, which she took as concurrence.
“It’s all too neat,” she continued. “Brint and the mayor are far too friendly, and those supposed mages?”
Lowe’s gaze flicked toward her and then as quickly away, but now his head was inclined the slightest bit in her direction.
The corner of Calya’s mouth curved up. “Definitely not from Sylveren.”
“Because you know the school so well?” Lowe said, though there was no bite behind the words.
“I know Grae Port,” she replied, naming Graelynd’s capital. “I know Central District. Those mages, Treen and Aylton? I can believe they’re here conducting research on something, somewhere, but they’re not reporting to anyone at the university. Any university, for that matter. Not first, at least.”
“Who do you think they are?”
“What did you find when you delivered the tea?”
“Not much.” Lowe remained impassive, his face a mask of neutrality. “The assistant showed us around, and then Nevin and Zhenya found what was left of a greenhouse setup, so I left.”
“You don’t find that odd?” Calya asked, her exasperation plain. “That office was practically empty. If research has been conducted here for years, shouldn’t there be more people? More—more… stuff?”
Lowe stopped and faced her. “What are you asking of me, Miss Helm? I’m here on Sentinel business.”
“Oh, am I Miss Helm again?”
“A few hours ago, you were ready to jump off the boat to put distance between us.”
“That’s a bit dramat?—”
“You backed away,” he said quietly. “You told me not to trust you. Already change your mind?”
“It’s called pivoting.” Heat rose in her cheeks. She turned away and resumed walking.
Fortunately, he fell into step beside her.
