Ezreal’s eyes gave nothing away. “Potential Initiates are recruited through various means. Adelyna Kamoria wasrecruited by an Aurkai and quickly reached Adept status. She was an exceptional student, but unfortunately, she left the school before finishing her training.”
“Then tell me who recruited her,” I said.
“Her records show that Valenthor Ryth’enir was the Aurkai that completed her enrollment,” he said.
Blake stiffened, as did Roslyn.
“What?” I asked, looking between them.
Blake didn’t move, and Roslyn was watching him curiously.
“Valenthor is now King of Raven Falls,” Ezreal said.
“My father?” Blake asked, quietly.
Blake’s father knew my mom? I found him, but he refused to look at me.
“I want to know what happened to Isabella and Saryna.”
“A mistake,” Ezreal said. “Nothing more, and the perpetrator has been banned from Nightfall.”
I wanted to press further, but there was a finality in Ezreal’s tone.
Roslyn turned her attention to me. “As an Adept, your course schedule will change. You will begin to learn about your lineage and how to wield everi. You will continue to have private lessons from each of the Aurkai.”
Blake watched Melanie with an unreadable expression.
“As you already know, Anna, our true nature is kept hidden from Initiates out of great concern for their safety. It allows them to awaken their everi naturally and with as little risk as possible,” Saryna said. “It is with this in mind that we ask all new Adepts to adopt the same mental fortitude, for the safety of all at Nightfall. Do you agree to this stipulation? Let it be known that your word is binding.”
Binding? I didn’t care at this point. Everything about Nightfall and what was expected of me had been binding. I had no choice but to agree to their terms.
I glanced at Blake, as if he had some answer to make all this okay—a nod, a small smile, anything, but he gave no such indication. He did, however, appear solemn, and I felt what he was feeling.
Trapped.
I had no way out of this. This life came with invisible chains—the exchange required to be in their world. The room was heavy with a charge that felt like it might spark at any moment.
I returned my attention to Saryna.
“Yes,” I said. “I agree.”
Chapter 28
Simple, Adept or Die
ANNA
The wind was cold and gusty as I stared out into the night sky.
The southern balcony of Meridian Hall was empty this late. I leaned against the chilled metal railing, my skin numb and my mind chaotic.
This place was like another world. One that was far away from my home-turned-hell where shadows possessed me and took my mom’s life. As I peered into the heavens I could almost trick my mind into thinking it hadn’t been real.
But I knew now that it was.
All of it was real.
That place—the dark, cold, and terrifying place that felt like death.
