"Whatever they told you about me," he says, voice low and controlled, "I can explain."
I blink. "About you?"
His brows furrow. He searches my face for answers I can't give. Before either of us can speak, Kage's voice bellows from the second-story window.
"We found it!" He holds up a rolled map, then frowns at the two of us. "Whatever's happening down there can wait. We found the map."
I exhale and head for the stairs. We climb in silence, neither of us speaking until we reach the apartment door. His hand closes around mine. He pulls me back. I turn, heart pounding, and meet his gaze.
"This conversation isn't over."
I nod. That's all I can manage.
I expected Kage and Naima. Maybe Margot. I didn't expect Draven.
All four of them are crowded around the dining table, maps spread between them, Lenora's journal open at the center.
"Gods, Temp." Naima nearly knocks her chair over rushing toward me. Margot follows, her expression mirroring the same concern.
I hold up my hands before either of them can embrace me. "I'm barely holding on," I whisper. "If you hug me, I'll shatter."
"You look like you've already been crying." Margot's voice is soft.
"So do you."
Her mouth twitches. Almost a smile.
"Was it that bad?" Naima searches my face.
"Worse."
Naima's eyes widen. Margot's expression, impossibly, grows sadder. I wonder again what else she's seen. What she's not telling us. I don't ask. Not now.
"Do you want to talk about it?" Naima whispers.
"I'm about to." I nod toward the table. They follow me over. I offer Draven a small smile as I sit across from him. "I thought you were leaving."
"I came to say goodbye." He studies my face but doesn't comment on whatever he sees there.
"You look awful," Kage says flatly. He shrugs at the glares he receives. "What? She does."
"Thanks for that." I exhale and focus on the map. "Where did you find it?"
"Lenora's journal. It was in the binding. Hidden," Naima says.
"You left it out this morning,” Mal adds.
I frown, wondering why Lenora went through such lengths to hide the map. It’s old. Ancient, maybe. The Shroud is barely a smudge at the edges.
The Temple of Veritas isn't marked. Neither is the University or the Estate. I search for the Hall of Gratitude. Instead, I find the Temple of Noktelum.
My hands start shaking. I tuck them under the table, pressing them against my thighs to still them. I force myself to examine the rest. The amphitheater is labeledMalvorathis Amphitheater.
The Keep is marked asNeith's Palace. In the bottom corner, faded script reads:Zoila Veneficia, Map Maker of the Veritas Order, circa 1 A.S.Three hundred years ago. Before Constantine. Before the treaty. Before everything went wrong.
"The Sages believe Jordi's been moved to the Hall of Gratitude." My voice is steadier than I expected.
Silence.
