I sigh. ‘I don’t know. He only told mewhathappened, notwhy. It makes no sense to me either.’
Hal looks as if he’s vibrating. I decide not to mention the Death Mage in the dungeons just yet, for fear of giving him some kind of heart attack.
‘Who. Else. Knows?’
‘Blaze,’ I say.
He makes an impatient sound. ‘Of course she does.’
‘Ingra.’
‘Brilliant. That’s just brilliant. Anyone else?’
I bite down on my lip so hard I taste blood. ‘Your grandfather.’
Hal sways on his feet. ‘What?’
More shadows begin to curl from my fingertips. ‘He knows. He knows about me, about us, about everything.’
Hal runs a hand through his hair. His previously pristine appearance is no longer at odds with his slightly crazed expression. ‘You’re … you’re not safe here,’ he mutters.
‘He’s not going to hurt me.’
‘Elva,’ Hal grits out, ‘don’t you understand what my grandfather is capable of? What he’ddoto you if he –’
‘If he was going to do anything, he’d have done it by now. Anyway, it’s not my life that concerns him. It’s yours.’
‘What do you mean?’
‘He spoke of … of your health.’
Despite the floating orbs of light, Hal’s face darkens. There’s a long pause, during which his hands begin to tremble. Cursing, he reaches into his pocket and retrieves a vial of opium. He pulls out the stopper, turns away and drains the clear liquid before tossing the tiny glass cylinder on to his desk. I flinch as it lands, clinking sharply against the others.
‘Tell me what’s wrong with you,’ I plead.
‘I’m just under a lot of pressure, that’s all.’
‘Hal –’
‘No,’ he snaps, his voice almost unrecognizable. ‘Not thisagain. I told you already, it’snothing.’
‘Except it’s not.’
I move closer instinctively, my heart splintering as he tenses. With a deep breath, I banish my shadows and lay a hand on his arm.
Hal swallows, but doesn’t shake me off. ‘Maybe it’s for the better,’ he murmurs.
‘What is?’
But he only clears his throat and takes a step back from me. ‘Look, it doesn’t matter what my grandfather said. You can’t stay here. It’s not safe.’
‘I’m not leaving,’ I insist.
‘You have to.’
‘Ican’t.’
‘Elva, it’s too dangerous.’
