Page 58 of The Fifth Heir

“The text beneath the first word was sealed.”

“That doesn’t prove the visible text was changed. The damaged page may have been reinforced.”

“Reinforcement seals preserve. This one conceals.”

She set down the inventory request she carried and leaned closer to the book. Her shoulder nearly touched my arm.

I moved the lamp toward her.

“Who has authority to apply that seal?” she asked.

“The Keeper of Trials.”

Her gaze lifted to mine.

“And every person who held his position before him,” I added. “It doesn’t identify when the alteration occurred.”

“What does the hidden text say?”

“I couldn’t open it.”

“Then we don’t know that it changes anything.”

“No.”

She appeared surprised by my agreement.

“You expected me to claim otherwise?”

“You seem fond of being right.”

“I am fond of accurate information.”

“So am I.”

“I noticed.”

Her mouth curved before she stopped it.

The reaction was brief, involuntary, and more distracting than it should have been.

She looked at the scorch tracing beside the book. “What is that?”

“The assessment chamber.”

“Why did you draw it?”

“Because Torren didn’t redirect the fire.”

The trace of amusement vanished.

“He said he did.”

“He said he redirected it. He did not say he completed the turn.”

“You heard the Keeper. The rune failed.”

“That explains why the flame escaped. It does not explain why it changed direction a second time.”