As always, it’s the “please” that does it. “Yes.”
“Thank you.” He sighs relief, but his grip doesn’t ease. He stares as though drinking me in for a final long moment. “Until then, stay safe.”
“You, too.”
Kaelis releases my hand and moves first. I’m left standing in the alcove, just out of sight, palm burning where he held it. I return to my room, but I don’t sit. Instead, I pace for the first few hours, breath catching every time I hear the clank of armor or the gruff command of a Stellis in the hall outside my door. I try to ink as the day wanes, but I can’t. Waiting has utterly consumed me and my nerves won’t abate.
Any second, the Hierophant could change his mind. Any second, I could be exposed. Even if he doesn’t know my new face, he doesn’t have to.
The next morning, at last, I’m summoned.
Chapter 38
The knight sent to fetch me doesn’t say a word beyond my name and a brief command. Pulse pounding, I follow him through the faculty wing of the academy, down toward the classrooms. The interrogation room has been set up here, so the walk is short.
It’s sparse, with all remnants of what this room once was—an office, if I had to guess, judging from its size—removed. A single flickering lantern hangs in the ceiling’s center instead of a chandelier. It casts shadows dramatic enough that Kaelis would approve. Stellis linger in the gloam along the edges. Centered in their ranks are two hooded figures. One must be the Hierophant.
There are two chairs in the middle of the room. One is already occupied by Emilia.
“Sit.” She gestures to the chair across from her.
Wordlessly, I do as commanded.
She’s not wearing armor now, and I can see more magical gnarled scars twisting from her knuckles up to her shoulder, where they disappear again under her clothes. I try not to stare. Instead, I keep myposture poised and breathing even. My expression is one of mild concern.
Emilia doesn’t speak right away. Instead, she studies me, crossing her legs and resting a stack of paper on her knee. Tapping the pen on the blank page as if searching for her first question.
I wonder if she’s waiting for the Hierophant to make a motion. I try to look at the two robed figures from the corners of my eyes, but their faces are too shrouded. But the one to my left seems to be about the right build…
Silence persists.
He’s not turning me in.The thought has me slowly sucking in a breath. Trusting him wasn’t the end of me. Maybe I will get out of this alive.
“How long have you been at the academy, Professor Veillgar?”
As if she doesn’t already know…“This is my first term.”
“You seem to care an awful lot for your students, Sorza in particular, for only knowing her for a couple months.” Her pen scratches across the page.
“Yes, I am dedicated to all my students. And Sorza is a talented Arcanist,” I say with a slight smile.
“I hear she comes often during your office hours.”
“Many students do.” I fold my hands in my lap, shifting on the chair. I swear they found one of the most uncomfortable ones. “It’s up to them to choose when they’d like some extra tutelage.”
“And how do you feel about Luren?”
Luren has come only once or twice, and always with Sorza. I don’t bother trying to hide my surprise at the sudden and specific mention of Luren. “She is also a talented Arcanist. Overlooked by many, I think.”
“Tell me, Professor.” Emilia’s eyes, now a pale gold after Jura’s death, flick toward me and then back to her paper. “In all your discussions, do you find Luren as someone who is loyal to the crown?”
Ah…So that’s what’s happening.Luren, ever the outcast. Ever theone they seem determined to pin everything on. The one they knew was close enough to me last year that I gave her a token.
I blink, emphasizing a startled expression. “Of course she would be.”
“Do you have any reason to believe Luren has information on the whereabouts of Clara Graysword?”
“No, not at all.”
