"Kailin Strom," her mental voice was like silver bells and thunder combined, gentle and powerful at the same time. "I wish to speak to you. Come out to the landing platform closest to your dormitory room."
My throat suddenly felt dry, and I had to swallow to bring moisture to it."Of course. But curfew is near."
"Don't worry about that. Your hall monitor will be informed that you have special dispensation to see me."
The connection withdrew, leaving me gasping as if I'd been holding my breath underwater.
"Kailin?" Shovia grabbed my arm. "What's wrong? You just went white as snow."
"I've been summoned," I managed. "Nyxath wants to see me."
Shovia's eyes narrowed. "Why?"
"I don't know." I wrapped my arms around myself. "Maybe it has something to do with your investigation."
Or so I hoped.
I had abilities that potentially rivaled the dragon queen's. What if she saw me as a threat? What if she'd decided to get rid of me? What if the attempt on my life had been orchestrated by her?
"Maybe it's a good thing," Shovia said, but her voice lacked conviction. "Maybe she wants to congratulate you on Podana?"
"Perhaps. I have to go." I rose to my feet and reached for the uniform top that I'd just removed minutes ago. "If I don't come back, tell Alar I love him." I slipped it on and started buttoning it.
"Don't be so dramatic." Shovia squeezed my hand. "You'll be fine. You're too valuable to Elucia for anything bad to happen to you."
I wished I shared her confidence. Value didn't always equal safety. Sometimes the most valuable things were also the most dangerous.
12
SHOVIA
"Truth without context is merely a fact; knowing who benefits from which version of the story is the context."
—From 'The Politics of Information'
by former Council Member, Sorifa Drian
The moment Kailin left our room, I shot out the door. My best friend had just been summoned by the dragon queen, and she'd looked like she was heading for an execution.
I needed to tell Alar. Not that there was anything he or anyone else could do about it, but I couldn't just sit on my ass alone in our room and wait for her return.
I caught sight of the guys just returning from the showers, hair still damp and shower kits dangling from their fingers.
"Hey!" I called. "We have a situation."
Alar's expression immediately sharpened. "What's wrong? Where's Kailin?"
"Nyxath summoned her. They're meeting on the landing terrace right now."
The color drained from Alar's face. "Did she say why?"
"She didn't, and Kailin looked scared." I glanced around the hallway, noting a few other cadets heading to their rooms. "We should talk somewhere private. Your room?"
Alar nodded. "Let's get Morek on our way."
Once inside, I plopped on Codric's bed. "Maybe I should wait for Kailin in our room. I don't want her to return and not find me there."
"She will know you are here," Alar said. "Why was Kailin scared?"
