Raichand were one of the highest classes of incantors and part of Embercrest Coven. To relegate him to domestic work was probably worse than making him Unwoven for a month or two.
I dropped my shoulders, conceding. “Yes, I suppose it is.”
“We take transgressions seriously here, Miss Onyx, no matter the bloodline.”
Walter cleared his throat to get our attention. “If that is all, let me make it official.” He fixed a stern gaze on me. “Anamaya Onyx, welcome to Nightsbridge.”
CHAPTER 9
“The Supernal have lived among us for centuries. Keeping their own rules, their own counsel, hidden from the vast majority of humans, but there is no denying that humanity would have been wiped out without their aid.”
EXCERPT FROM TRITON COUNTY DEBATE
The judgment panel disbanded, but Vitra looked over and held up a finger, motioning for me to wait before leaning in to speak to Constance Selethis.
She tipped her face up to his and placed her hand on his arm, stroking almost absentmindedly. Wait a minute. Selethis…she was his girlfriend. Hisofficialwoman, and I could see why.
She was gorgeous, and they made a beautiful couple. Right now, standing face-to-face, leaning in toward each other, they created the perfect romantic scene. If I were an artist, I’d be scrambling for paint and canvas.
But I wasn’t.
I was a woman on a mission, and I’d just overcome my first hurdle toward my goal. Excitement fizzed in my belly, undiluted by how badly things could have gone today.
But they hadn’t.
I was safe and officially a student, on my way to having my power restored, and once I was whole, I could use the Weave to find the book that would prove my family’s innocence.
I couldn’t wait for the meeting with the Weave Watchers—whoever they were— and to finally get started.
Constance glanced my way, then nodded up at Vitra before following the others through the door at the back of the room.
Vitra tucked his hands into his pockets and ambled over. “It looks like you’ll be staying.”
I’d forgotten how tall he was. How I had to tip my chin up to maintain eye contact. “Thanks to you.”
“I wasn’t the only vote in your favor.”
“I know, but you advocated for me, so…thank you.” He’d been there to decide Dharma’s punishment. How much did he know about the crime? About theLibra Veritas? The temptation to pump him for information was almost too much, but it was too soon.
If the notes I’d found in Dharma’s diary were true, if the truth of what happened had somehow been hidden, then he might know, and if I started digging, then who knew how he’d react? Disclosure such as that required a little more familiarity. It required time and trust. I needed to take it slow. Now that Walter Regent had assigned Vitra as my mentor, I needed to get to know him. Build a connection and trust then pick my moment.
We headed out of the room, into corridors bustling with students who instinctively parted to let Vitra pass. I stayed close, taking advantage of the break in the wave of bodies.
Someone accidentally bumped me into Vitra, and his arm went out to steady me, fingers curling around my waist briefly. My body flared with sensation, shivering tingles radiating out from where his hand lay on my waist.
I pulled away from him sharply, heart drumming against my ribs.
“Are you all right?” he asked.
“I’m fine.”
His eyes narrowed a fraction, dropping to my mouth as if he could see the lie on my lips. And I felt the touch of his regard there, like a physical pressure.
Blood rushing in my ears, I ducked my head and hurried toward the main doors, the echo of his touch still resonating through my body. I’d felt him. Again. What the Fel was happening to me? It had to be this place. The magic here…maybe it was messing with my curse somehow? Yeah…that had to be it.
I passed a group of fresh-faced teens, sitting on the steps outside the main doors, poring over textbooks. One of them looked no older than twelve or thirteen.
I sensed Vitra behind me and scrambled for something to say, anything to hide my fluster. “Some of the students look too young to be here.”
