“In the meantime,” he continued, “we say nothing. Finish the Arcalon, keep our eyes open. If the Council are hiding something, it will show itself soon enough.”
Kara nodded.
“Thank you for telling me,” he added.
Guilt flared sharply inside her. She’d told a Thorne Council secrets. If word got back to her father–
“I probably shouldn’t have,” she admitted.
“Probably not,” he replied.
Well, that’s reassuring.
“But I’m glad you did.”
Me too.
The weight in her chest hadn’t lifted, but it had eased. The morning bell tolled in the distance. Eight o’clock.
“We should go,” Kara said, but neither of them moved.
Sebastian’s hand lifted, almost touched her arm, then dropped. “Whatever happens in these next two trials... be careful.”
“You too.”
He smiled, just a little. “After you, Healer.”
She hurried back towards the barracks, Sebastian following close behind.
They had an Arcalon to finish.
If it didn’t kill them first.
CHAPTER 7
THE SKYWALK
No ally shall be left on the field.
–Thorne Code of Honour, Tenet III
Kara found Sienna in the delegates’ hall, filling a plate with breakfast.
“Where have you been?” Sienna asked.
“Couldn’t sleep,” she replied. “Went for a walk.”
“You missed the news. The Council’s coming here to give instructions for the Air Trial,” Sienna told her.
“What?” Kara asked incredulously.
“I know. I’ve never heard of it before. They should be here any minute.”
“I should have said last night, but I’m sorry about Rosalie.” Kara laid a hand on Sienna’s arm. “Did you know her?”
“Not well before the Arcalon, but we travelled together,” Sienna said. “She was kind.”
Kara nodded once, grabbed a piece of lavender fruit and followed Sienna to their team’s table as a bell chimed softly. The hall fell quiet as the High Council members entered. After what she’d overheard, Kara watched them differently. Evelyn Sorrel was clearly anxious, one hand fidgeting with her sleeve. Her father was next, entering beside Elias Lyra. Her father was unreadable – unusual since she could usually sense his emotions clearly. The others followed, but none gave anything away. Tobias Thorne brought up the rear. Sebastian tensed as his father entered. Kara focused on Tobias, reaching out with the instincts from her mother’s Lyran blood, and felt... anger. Not wild or blazing, but cold and controlled. His face betrayed nothing. Blank. Impassive. Kara might have admired the discipline – if it hadn’t felt so dangerous. The Councilmembers stood quietly at the front of the hall, and this time, it was Simone Navyr who stepped forward, ebony-skinned and striking in her blue oilskins marked with Navyr’s compass, her braided hair tied back with silver beading.
