Page 139

"To what?"

"Attention."

My father. The Council. Other Houses. Anyone who might decide that Blood Echo belongs to their investigation more than it belongs to me. Rhyven's posture changes beside me. Only slightly. Enough to feel.

Professor Neris looks at him. "Do not make promises you cannot keep, Officer Corvell." Her tone is less careful.

"I didn't say anything." His expression gives no emotion.

"You were about to."

He says nothing. She was right. Professor Neris moves to a second cabinet. This one has no visible keyhole. She places the ancient book against its center. The broken-circle symbol appears across the metal doors. The same symbol from the hidden Silent War records. The cabinet opens. Inside hangs a single black key. Long. Narrow. Its teeth shaped like small runes. Professor Neris removes it. Places it on the desk between us. No one reaches for it.

"What does it open?" I ask.

"The Silent Archive."

Rhyven's expression tightens. "I thought those records were distributed among the restricted levels." "Copies are." She nods.

"And the originals?" I ask.

"Below the oldest western wing."

When one falls silent, listen below. I do not tell Professor Neris. Not yet. She pushes the key toward Rhyven. He does not take it immediately.

"Why us?" He asks.

"Because you have already found information the Council missed." She answers.

"That is not a qualification."

"No. It is a reason."

Her gaze moves toward me. "Miss Vaelith perceived the missing blood history." Then Cassian. "Mr. Solmere can distinguish emotional interference from natural response." Aldric. "You are connected to the newest event, but you will not enter unless you choose to." Finally Rhyven. "And you possess the access, training and authority to move them through restricted Academy ground without attracting immediate suspicion."

Rhyven looks at the key. "You want students investigating a possible Silent War."

"I want you reading records."

"A safer sentence."

"An accurate one." She corrects him.

"Are professors investigating?" Cassian asks.

"Yes." She nods.

"The Council?" I ask.

"Yes."

"Then what do you need from us?"

Professor Neris rests her hands against the desk. "Perspective." Her voice is quieter now. "Adults who have spent decades studying the same records often find what they expect. Students are less disciplined in their assumptions."

Under different circumstances, it might sound insulting. Here, it is trust. Or desperation. Possibly both. I look toward the black key.

"What exactly are we searching for?"