What do you mean, not normal?
Shadow, Kaylin. It is subtle; it is not slight. If you cannot heal her quickly...
What is the Shadow doing?
I do not know. But it is the outcaste’s power.
Kaylin swore. In Leontine. The Arcanist clearly didn’t understand the finer points of Leontine.
Mandoran’s lips quirked further. He looked smug.
The Arcanist, however, looked confused—and, if possible, frightened. “What is that creature you carried in with you?”
“My familiar.”
“And you are a witch, now, to have a familiar?”
This was not the usual reaction of Arcanists to the concept of a familiar. “A witch?” she asked. “No. Maybe. I’m sorry—I’m not familiar with the word the way you’re using it.”
“That creature is dangerous. He is as dangerous as the pretender.”
Kaylin would have argued if she’d had any ground to stand on. “Fine. But at the moment, he’s on my side.”
“And what side is that?”
“In the Southern Reach? Moran dar Carafel’s side. TheIllumenpraevolo.”
The Arcanist’s eyes narrowed as he studied her. “Do you even understand what thepraevolois?”
“I understand Sergeant dar Carafel,” Kaylin shot back. “And she’s thepraevolo.What that means to the rest of you doesn’t matter.”
“It matters,” he said, and his voice was unaccountably bitter. “You guessed that I cannot fly. Most of my kin have not drawn the same conclusion. Those who serve asmyguards know, of course, because they servehim.”
“Fine. I have to go back.”
He stared at her as if she’d lost her mind. “Unless the marks of the Chosen grant you invulnerability—or flight—you will die. You will accomplish nothing else!”
She turned to Severn. “Stay here. Have whatever conversation is necessary. Bellusdeo’s been injured.”
Severn nodded.
“I’ll be back as soon as I can.”
* * *
Geography had never been Kaylin’s strong point, and the run to the Arcanist’s so-called safe space had been long and not entirely straightforward. She was saved from panic by Mandoran, who was still lounging against the wall when she ran out of the room.
“Where do you think you’re going?”
“Back,” was her curt reply. “I’d appreciate it if you could get me to Bellusdeo.”
His brows rose in obvious surprise. “You want togo back?”
“Yes.”
“Teela’s going to have a fit.”
“I’ll deal with Teela’s temper. Can you get me back there?”
