“Because I have already lived through what happens when a girl is handed to a man and told to call the cage safety.”
Korey Dorian’s name was nowhere on that page, but I knew exactly what she meant.
Cosima turned the book back toward herself and closed it.
“And because Caspian is trying to become someone better than the role they made for him. If you are not careful, they will punish him for that and I don’t want to watch that happen.”
“I am tired of being told a man’s future is mine to ruin.”
“Good.”
“I hate it.”
“Then hold on to that.”
The basin on the side table lit.
Cosima tensed.
Silver moved under the water. No bell sounded. No steward knocked. The words simply formed, bright and precise.
Astra Verita. Report to Oracle Juno. Immediately.
The letters dissolved.
“That was Juno,” I said.
“Yes. You should go to her.” Then Cosima slid the green book into my hands. “Take it.”
“Isn’t this yours?”
“No. It belongs to the school.”
“And that makes stealing okay? You’re starting to sound like Rev.”
Cosima’s expression cooled.
“I have very little in common with Reverie LeJoi.”
“Except you’re both helping me.”
“Not for the same reasons.”
I tucked the book under my arm.
At the door, Cosima stopped me.
“Astra.”
I looked back.
“If they offer you something else of your mother’s, be warier than you were with the brooch.”
Her eyes dropped to the silver wren pinned inside my coat.
I covered it with my hand before I could decide not to.
“That’s a horrible thing to say.”
