“Don’t play dumb with me, Tehvan,” Thorn cut in. He stepped forward, leaving a faint trail of blood in his wake. “She didn’t get out on her own. Someone gave her that vapor, and I think we both know who.”
Before Tehvan could respond, a small voice piped up beside him. A ward—a girl with long blond hair, around Elora’s age—looked up, her eyes wide.
“Elora… escaped?” she whispered, the shock clear.
The color drained from her face as Thorn’s gaze snapped to her, eyes narrowing, and she quickly averted her eyes, trying to shrink into the shadows.
Tehvan saw the accusation forming on Thorn’s tongue. For a split second, the thought flickered through his mind,letting Thorn suspect her might help throw off suspicion from me.But this girl knew Elora. Maybe she was her friend. He couldn’t bring himself to let her takethe fall.
He stepped forward, smoothly positioning himself between Thorn and the ward, drawing his brother’s attention back to the task at hand.
“Forget about her, Thorn,” he said. “If we’re going to get Elora back, we need to act now. You can worry about discipline later.”
Thorn’s eyes narrowed, surprised by Tehvan’s sudden intensity. Tehvan seized the opportunity, lowering his voice to a conspiratorial whisper as he leaned in.
“I want her here as much as you do, Abernathy,” he murmured, just loud enough for his brother to hear. “If she’s under this roof, at least I know what’s happening to her. If she’s out there… who knows?”
Thorn’s expression darkened, but Tehvan sensed a hint of satisfaction at his apparent loyalty.
“Fine,” Thorn said, standing up straighter, attempting to tower over his brother. “If you’re so eager to help, Tehvan, you’ll have your chance, but not without me watching. You’ll stay close. If there’s a trail to be found, we’ll follow ittogether.”
Tehvan inclined his head, carefully masking the flicker of relief that passed through him. If Thorn wanted him close, so be it.
“As you wish,” he replied smoothly, slipping into the role of compliant ally. “I’ll begin preparations.”
Thorn gave a curt nod, his gaze never leaving Tehvan, still searching for any hint of betrayal.
Without waiting for another word, Tehvan moved toward the door, keeping his face calm as he left the lab. He knew every step he took was under Thorn’s scrutiny, that the slightest slip would risk everything he’d fought to protect.
As he strode down the corridor, he forced himself to think one step ahead, planning every word and every move.He knew he had only one chance to divert Thorn’s hunt long enough for Elora to slip out of his reach for good.
Chapter 44
Elora
Elora rowed until her arms ached and the island was nothing but a distant memory on the horizon, swallowed by the night. Only then did she allow herself to rest, the oars slipping from her tired hands as she leaned back in the dinghy, her chest heaving.
The ocean was calm, a merciful gift on a night like this, but anxiety gnawed at her. She didn’t really know where she was going. Tehvan had given her instructions. North to Ravenpoint. But she had no experience on the water. All she could do was hope she was traveling in the right direction.
Now that she was far enough away, she finally inspected the satchel Tehvan had packed for her. She didn’t have time earlier when she haphazardly shoved the recipe and ring in it, and now her curiosity had piqued.
A lump formed in her throat as she took in the sight of all her possessions, everything she thought she had lost when she became a ward. Her journal of alchemy notes, everything she had learned while a student, was nestled safely against a few restricted books about different alchemy ingredients and recipes.
What really caught her attention was the worn leather pouch that held a very basic alchemy equipment kit. It wasn’t much, but all of this could help her survive.
At the very bottom was her tattered brown cloak. She draped it over her shoulders, blocking out the chilling winds of the ocean.
Clutching the satchel close to her chest, she looked up at the moon, its pale light bathing her in a silvery glow. She let herself believe she had really done it. She had escaped. A soft, incredulous laugh left her lips as she looked at the vast sky above.
I’m free.
Then a shadow passed over the moon, blotting out the light for just a moment. Her fingers curled around the side of the boat, ready to hold on if Thorn somehow had a new trick up his sleeve. But as the shadow swooped back into view, her breath caught in recognition.
A nightglider.
It was Viliam. His sleek, dark form soared above her, wings wide and strong, casting reflections on the water’s surface as he circled her boat.Thank the gods, he’s alright. He made it out.
She watched him, her heart swelling with gratitude. She wished he would swoop down, wrap his paws around her, and carry her to safety.Wouldn’t that be something?
