“Interference with what?”
“With a failing Mark. With another student’s Verse. With the sanctioned bond they have planned for you. With the Council’s preferred answer.”
“Caspian Ashford.”
“Caspian is the only answer they are willing to record.”
“And Kieran?”
“Kieran is the answer they will do everything to block.”
My Mark moved under my sleeve.
Not pain.
Anger, maybe.
That everyone seemed to have more choice about my own future than I did.
“And Hale?”
For the first time since I had entered, Juno hesitated.
That frightened me more than if she had answered too quickly.
“Hale is a thread the Council would prefer to ignore until it can decide whether to cut it or use it.”
The basin water trembled harder.
Juno looked at it, then at the door.
“This room is becoming less private.”
“That is a horrible sentence.”
“I agree.”
“So what do I do?”
“Go to Cosima.”
I almost laughed.
“Great idea. Send me off to spend time with the girl who hates me.”
“Cosima does not hate you.”
“Could have fooled me.”
“She has fooled many people. That is one of her most useful skills.”
Juno came back to me and held out a folded page.
I hadn’t seen her take it from the cabinet.
The paper was thick, the fold precise. No seal.
“Give her this.”
