So why now?
An ambush? I scan the room, though my attention never truly left the lich or his new accomplice. No. Nothing else is amiss. The staff clatter carelessly in the hall outside. Pierce is unfazed, his posture languid in a way that suggests he finds nothing amiss.
“You look lovely.” I try to compliment Anthea, but honestly, I’m not sure what to do with this subdued version of her.
It’s true. She always puts effort into her appearance, and the gleaming black rhinestone and lace number she’s wearing probably cost more than some of Kyrith’s books.
“Thanks.”
One word. No trace of the simpering seductress I’m used to.
How am I supposed to get her to take me up to her room when she’s like this? Even if I were that great of an actor, the idea of making a move on someone so clearly out of sorts makes my skin crawl.
Isidora makes her way to the head of the table, smiling as she beckons Mathias to the seat of honour on her right. Piercetakes the other end, and Leo the spot between him and the lich.
Leaving Anthea and me to our own side.
Wonderful.
I pull her chair out, letting her slip into place before pushing her in, then frown.
There’s a red welt at her back, just beneath the slick blonde bun at her nape. The tip of it barely rises above the lace of her collar.
Something in me bristles.
Why is she injured? I don’t like her…but I glance up at Pierce. Is this normal? A training accident, perhaps? Isidora is a powerful destruction magister, and I know they both studied with their mother.
Still…normally training wounds are properly treated…
Pierce just sips at his wine, all of his attention on Mathias and Leo. His sister isn’t worth a second glance, for all that she’s right next to him, staring at him.
Has he even noticed her uncharacteristic quietness?
“You’ll have to tell us how it’s been, living with the other heirs,” Isidora begins, gesturing to the staff to begin serving the first course. “Never in history have all six families shared the same roof.”
“Not true,” Mathias corrects, breaking off from his conversation with Leo like he can’t resist the opportunity to correct her. “In my youth, there was an attempt to exchange children between the families, to foster better relations after a period of tension.”
“How did it go?” I ask, keeping my tone bland.
“Poorly.” Mathias shrugs, and for the first time, our eyes really meet.
His body might be showing his age, but his eyes are already dead. The irises are the same pale golden brown asNorth’s, but I’ve never looked at North and felt chilled to my bones.
“How unfortunate.” I won’t look away first, but damn, I want to.
“Oh, it wasn’t, really. They were expendable. I doubt anyone was surprised when they were poisoned.”
Then, as if he hasn’t just talked about the death of six children, he raises his spoon to his lips, slurping the cheerful green soup loudly.
“Staying at the Arcanaeum is hardly remarkable.” Pierce changes the subject before I can. “The food is inferior, of course, and the company is barely tolerable.”
I really hope he’s acting. If he is, I can’t tell.
Pierce Carlton is a born liar. Worse, if he’s not really my ally…then there’s no one at this table I can trust.
I glance around the group again, already wishing I could leave. If my uncle were here, it might be easier to sneak away and find that grimoire.
The table is only set for six.
