“How did she die?” Claudia asks.
Cassius swallows hard. “In her sleep.”
“Well, at least that’s peaceful.”
“She didn’t look peaceful.”
“You saw the body?”
“Ifoundher body. I had to break the news to the High Sage, and to Odette’s partner. It was one of the worst days of my life.”
No wonder he’s so angry. He’s grieving.
“That’s terrible.” She moves to put her hand on his shoulder, but he catches her wrist, his tight hold tugging at the wound across her palm.
“It’s not terrible for you, though, is it? Rhetoric’s top scholar mysteriously dies, and suddenly you’re there to take her place.”
She jerks her hand out of his grip. “What are you implying?”
“I’m simply stating facts. You were rejected. But then Odette dies, and you’re suddenly accepted. You arrive covered in blood.These circumstances beg one to wonder if foul play was involved in your arrival.”
Is he mad? She points down to Odette’s grave. “I’d never even heard of this girl until today and I wasn’t here when she died. How could I have anything to do with it?”
“You have power, else you wouldn’t be here. Who am I to say how far that power goes?”
She can’t help but laugh. “You think Imagicallykilled this stranger in her sleep?”
“I think you have the strongest motive for killing her out of anyone I’ve met.”
“But she wasn’t killed, MacLeod.” She bites out his last name like an insult. “She died. In her sleep. No one was involved in that.”
“I refuse to accept that. I saw her face before they took the body. She died afraid.”
“That’s not my fault, nor is it my problem.”
She doesn’t speak for the rest of the tour.
When they return to her room, Cassius says, “I’ll come here in the morning to walk you to class.”
“I’d prefer if you didn’t.”
“So would I, but the High Sage insists. He says I’m judging you too harshly and I should give you a chance to earn your keep.”
“I don’t care what—”
Cassius cuts her off. “Don’t worry. After tomorrow, you’re on your own.”
“Good.” She glares at him before slamming the door in his face.
RHETORIC
Malevimus, God of Wit and Secrets, grants the gift of truth. Keeper of all secrets, he hears the prayers of scholars asking to know what and who they can trust.
The Book of Cygnus: Malevimus 1:1–2
Claudia wakes up to the sound of banging on the door. Bishop glares up at her—he had been sleeping in a ball by her shoulder. He’s always grumpy when he gets woken up by loud noises. Claudia’s father would often come home in the still-dark hours of the morning, shouting and slamming doors after a night of gambling money away. Bishop would hiss and pout all day.
She stumbles out of bed and pulls open the curtain. The sun hasn’t risen yet. Stretching her arms up, she yawns loudly when there’s another—louder—knock. Cracking the door open, she pokes her head out and scowls at Cassius. He’s glaring right back.
