Page 26 of The Fifth Heir

Malcolm moved between us. “The passage has been sealed for an unknown period. We will examine it before anyone proceeds.”

The arch began rebuilding itself.

Dark particles appeared along its upper edge, gathering into solid stone. The opening narrowed by several inches.

Rafe looked up. “If you’re planning an examination, I suggest doing it from this side.”

Malcolm stepped toward the arch.

The runes flashed and pushed him back hard enough that his staff struck the floor. Torren caught his shoulder, preventing a fall.

The rebuilding stone descended farther.

“Talia,” the headmaster said.

He had returned to the edge of the entrance, though he could not cross it. “Go.”

I looked at Malcolm.

His expression told me he would forbid it if the arch gave him time.

It did not.

I clutched my satchel against my side and ran through the opening.

The instant I crossed the threshold, the ache beneath my ribs released.

The final line of stone formed behind me.

For one breath, we stood in darkness.

Five strangers sealed inside a part of the academy that did not officially exist.

Then every lamp in the corridor blazed to life.

The light nearest me remained clear. Farther down the passage, separate colors appeared around each of the men—red beside Torren, violet around Sebastian, silver around Rafe, and pale blue beside Leander.

The walls were not merely reacting to five occupants.

They knew which of us stood where.

A row of runes lit across the sealed arch. This inscription was newer and easier to read than the one outside.

Sebastian moved beside me.

“What does that one say?”

My mouth had gone dry.

“Fifth Wing.”

Rafe gave a quiet laugh. “Apparently there is one.”

The corridor opened into a large circular common room.

Tall windows overlooked the academy grounds from a height the tower should not have possessed. Five chairs surrounded a low stone hearth. Five empty spaces waited beneath a row of weapons hooks, and five cups stood on a table without a trace of dust on them.

Everything beyond the corridor was clean.