“Is he your boss?” Casey cocks her head, and with a single look, the family bonding session is officially over.
We’re in interrogation mode now.
“No, I report to Trello.” I pull a card from the stack—Seven of Wands. At the center, a man stands on top of a stone tower, a large wooden fight staff in hand as he prepares for battle. Several soldiers march toward him, spears raised.
I’m being hyper-defensive.
I blow out a breath. Sometimes it’s hard to remember Casey isn’t the bad guy.
“But we do work together occasionally,” I add—a gesture she interprets as an invitation to turn up the heat.
“Working together on what?”
“Research. Translations.”
“Could you be more specific?”
“Arcana myths and legends at the moment,” I tell her, because she could easily request the library’s logs and see exactly which manuscripts I’ve checked out. Depending on how long this investigation drags out, she could probably get access to my computers, too, including the databases of Melissa Milan’s prophecies.
“And what is Starla Milan’s role in this research?” she asks. “I understand she’s working with you as well.”
Doing my best to school my features, I nod as if the mention of Stevie’s name isn’t a big deal. “Have you met her?”
“In Devane’s morning class. Seems like a bright young woman. Eager.” She narrows her eyes, undoubtedly searching my face for a reaction, which means she either knows a hell of a lot more than what she’s letting on—or she’s hoping I’ll give something away to help her fill in the blanks.
“Fast learner, too,” I say. “She’s shown an early aptitude for divination as well as interpretation of ancient prophecies. We’re working on translating some of her mother’s works. Melissa Milan was a—”
“I’m well aware of the tragic Milan backstory,” she says dismissively. “Trello tells me the girl is spirit-blessed?”
“She is.” I slip my card back into the stack and fold my arms across my chest. My patience with my sister has nearly run its course. “Are we finished here? I’ve got work to do, and I’m sure there are lots of other people on campus you can grill.”
Hurt flickers in her gaze, and my shoulders sag, guilt bubbling up inside me. I’m doing exactly what I said I wouldn’t do—letting the ghosts of the past come rushing back in to haunt me.
To haunt us both.
Casey’s just trying to do her job—I get that. But when it comes to unsolved mysteries, my sister is like a dog with a bone. The longer she stays here, the more questions she asks, the deeper she digs…
This can’t end well. We’re all at risk here, especially Stevie. The last thing I want is for my sister to make the target on Stevie’s back any more glaring than it already is.
And despite everything, I don’t want my sister mixed up in this danger, either.
I used to think I could keep her safe. But it turned out the only way to do that was to leave. Now she’s here, back in my life and back on campus indefinitely. So what the hell do I do?
“Casey, I’m sorry.” I close my eyes and shake my head, still struggling to keep my emotions in check. “I didn’t mean—”
“Janelle Kirkpatrick,” she says suddenly, shifting gears so fast I nearly get whiplash. “Did you have any communication with her before the job interview?”
“I haven’t had any communication with herperiod.Did someone tell you there was an interview? Because if that’s true, this is the first I’m hearing about it.”
“You’re the head graduate researcher, and you didn’t know Trello was bringing in a replacement for Professor Phaines?”
“I found out about her appointment the same time the rest of the students did—at the assembly this morning.”
“You’re telling me that for a high-level position like that, there was no interview, no vetting process, no board review, no input from other professors?”
“As far as I know, Janelle isonthe board. She’s also a donor—probably the most substantial one at the Academy.”
“I see.” Casey lets out a derisive snort. “Follow the money, and the answers shall appear.”
