“Not only was it unlocked once, but it had been unlocked twice.” He opened one of his drawers and pulled the hefty staff directory out. “Once, when Ivy had stolen a summoning book, and another when you had gone down looking for this. After we noted the second security breach, this was found on the basement floor. Now we know why it was left behind in that manner.”
“How …?” I had been careful, or so I thought.
“Howwe had learned that three students were able to get into the basement is irrelevant. What is relevant ishowwe ensure it doesn’t happen again.”
I fiddled with my hands. Not that I cared if I got detention, but how did detention work when it was winter break?
“So … why would Ender’s grandmother want me dead?” I asked, and John took a deep breath.
“She knew you were a level five ether mage.” Now John had figured it out too. The back of my neck itched, giving me the inkling he had already known something was different with me.
“How did she figure it out?”
“She knew your mother’s background. We assume she had tracked what little she could of your family.” He let out a sigh. “A lot of mages believe ether mages are dangerous, and level five is incredibly rare. Some will act to dispose level five mages, asthey believe it is the correct course of action. Her grandson is her priority, but that doesn’t justify her actions, and she will be transferred to a containment facility.”
“So rare, Mom hid my sister and me our entire life,” I muttered. “She’s not safe with me.”
John stopped pacing, his jaw tensing and the creases at the corners of his eyes crinkling—the most serious I had ever seen him.
“I am sorry I failed to keep the academy a safe place. I am sorry you, Vivian, and the other students were put in danger.” His gaze never left mine and he took a moment before continuing. “She lives because of you.”
I snorted. I’d be the cause of her death or the reason she’d get injured.
“You’re planning on escaping the academy.” He straightened slightly and studied me.
What? How?How did he know that when I hadn’t even decided if I was going to go through with leaving myself?
Liar. Sometime between the attack and arriving at John’s office, I had decided that I was going to leave the academy. I just hadn’t thought out the escape plan in the middle of a frozen desert.
More lies. I would steal a teacher’s car. It would be easy.
“Every single thing you have done since the moment I found you at that cabin in Venezuela was to protect your sister.” He must’ve read the question in my eyes. “The dark mage was after you, not your sister, further increasing the chance that others will come. If you leave, I ask you that you please let me know. There are well-trained guards here who can protect you.”
“Well-trained? Where were they when the mage attacked?” I already knew the answer but couldn’t help my response.
He sighed, his head dipping ever so slightly.
“You already are aware of this.” He paused. “Out there, there will never be a time where you won’t be looking over your shoulder. When you leave, please don’t go alone.”
“You’re just going to let me walk out of here?”
“I could stop you today, but there’s nothing stopping you from trying tomorrow or the next.” He took a breath. “I am not going to throw you in one of the holding cells next to Miss Lee. You aren’t a criminal.”
“And if I don’t go?”
“Then you stay here, with your sister,” he said. “I propose that a group of guards join you if you don’t choose my next offer. I accompany you, with a couple guards, and Vivian. I’m sure you want answers, and I can help ensure the areas you would like to go are safe, including your home in Dominica.”
“Let me get this straight.” I tried to unravel his proposal. “You are offering for you and a group of guards to join Viv and me wherever I choose—even where my mom was killed?”
“If you leave, would you not visit your old home?”
“You are the headmaster of the academy,” I noted. “You can’t just leave.”
“It’s between semesters. I do not have to stay on the grounds.” His jaw set, as if he didn’t need to explain any further.
“I will think about it.”
“Let me see your phone.” He held out his hand, and I handed him my phone. He took it back to his desk, did a few things, and a moment later, he handed it back to me. “I added safety features.”
