“I wanted to have a word with you in private.” Ten waved a hand at the frozen cadets scattered around the campus. “All of this must be strange, but do not worry, no human shall be harmed.”
Coming from him, assurance sounded like a threat. He moved closer to her, graceful as a dancer. But his spindly limbs reminded Rui of a spider weaving its sticky web. She wondered if she was his prey.
“Tell me how you did it,Rui.” Her name felt grossly intimate in his mouth.
“Did what, Your Majesty?”
“Tell me how you were able to cast such a powerful spell.”
Was he talking about Zizi’s ill-fated spell? “How did you know about that?”
Ten opened his palms, shrugging. “I am a god. I know many things.”
Like any other spell, she had cast it from muscle memory, a reflex honed from years of training.
“I don’t know. I just said the incantation.”
“How did you create the spell?”
“I didn’t—a mage, Zizi—he made it.” His name spilled out of her mouth, and Rui’s face heated with shame. It felt like she’d betrayed him somehow, but she had a feeling Ten was using his power to make her talk.
“Interesting.” Ten removed his leather gloves.
Rui half expected to see claws or something creepy, but Ten’s hands were normal. Lovely, really. Long pianist fingers and nails ruby-stained like jewels.Or blood.
He cupped her chin.
Rui wanted to pull away, but fear and confusion kept her still like a moth, pinned down and scrutinized by a lepidopterist.
Seconds later, Ten released her. “Interesting,” he repeated, enunciating the word slower this time.
“What’s so interesting, Your Majesty?”
Ignoring her question, Ten placed his cold hands on her shoulders. “I need your help, Rui. The King of the Fourth Court is missing, and I need you to find him.”
“Excuse me?”
“I need you to find my brother, Four. He is missing.”
“Four... your brother?”
“Yes. Four, my brother. He has been missing for eighteen years.” The Tenth King was looking at her as if he thought her dull.
How could a god go missing? It made no sense. And why would Ten come toherfor help?
Ten continued to stare expectantly.
“I’m sorry, Your Majesty, but I can’t help you. I don’t know how to,” Rui said, very carefully and very politely. He was obviously someone who took offense easily. “I don’t know anything about finding missing people. The Academy doesn’t teach us that.”
Ten sniffed haughtily. “My brother isn’tpeople. He is a King.”
“If you haven’t found him for so long, I don’t see why you think I can,” she pointed out. “I’m just a human.”
“The search was headed in the wrong direction. But now, I believe we are getting somewhere.” Ten smiled. It felt like he had too many teeth.
“But why me?”
“You are special.” Seeing her surprise, Ten clarified with a short laugh. “I am not complimenting you, not at all. I am merely saying I think you may have what it takes to find my brother. You have been touched by death and escaped its embrace.”
