Rolan was vaguely aware of Luc stomping away, and then Evaine was pouring something down his throat. It was bitter and cold and made him gag.
“Swallow it,” she ordered. “It will help with the cough and clear your lungs. The Arcanist is right. That was exceedingly stupid.” She paused, then said quietly, “And very brave.”
“What… happened?” Rolan asked.
Anaya crouched beside him, her arms wrapped around her knees. “I don’t know. I was asleep one minute, and the next, this gorgeous guy was nosing me awake. It’s like he was trying to warn me of the fire.”
Rolan shot a resentful look at Supper, who was pressed against Anaya like some kind of guard dog. The goat gazed back, his eyes half lidded with undeniable smugness, as if saying,That’s right,Isaved her.
“I yelled at Evaine to wake up,” Anaya continued, “then went out the window about the same moment I sawyoubusting into the house. I yelled for you but you didn’t hear me.”
Rolan hung his head, exhausted. “Maybe one of the candles caught the curtains.”
“It wasn’t a candle,” came Luc’s voice. His tone, as low and ominous as a looming storm, made Rolan look up in alarm.
The Arcanist was gripping three arrows, their tips wrapped in charred linen.
“Truth,”Evaine whispered.
“Shot from a distance,” Luc said in disgust. “They knew I had traps around the house and didn’t dare get close.”
“Who would be out here this late?” Anaya asked. “It’s the middle of the night!”
“Someone who fears the Arcanist more than Cryptics,” said Evaine hollowly. “I told you these whispers were different. More dangerous.”
Luc said nothing, only set his jaw and looked at his house. He’d managed to douse the flames enough to save the building, but the left wall was a charred mess. It would take weeks to rebuild it and clean the soot and smoke from the surviving interior.
“How would theydare?” Rolan burst out around his coughing. “You’re… the Arcanist! The scariest thing for… miles around! Your brother is the duke!”
“Yes,” said Luc. “But people will do desperate things to keep their secrets.”
Evaine nodded, her eyes narrowed. “Someone in the city is hiding something, and they’re scared you’ll learn it. They’ll drive you out one way or another.”
“Even if he learned some awful secret,” Rolan said, “he’d never tell it.”
Luc sighed. “If only everyone had such faith in my honor.” He lifted his gaze to the gray sky. “It’ll be dawn soon. I’ll accompany you back to the city, in case the fools behind this attack are still lurking about.”
Evaine nodded.
“A word, apothecary?” Luc asked.
The adults moved away to talk, which left Rolan feeling uneasy.But he was still too weak from inhaling smoke to eavesdrop. Anaya stayed by his side.
“Why did you go to Sylvet?” Rolan asked.
“What?”
“You and Evaine,” Rolan said. “You went to Sylvet a few months ago. Why?”
Anaya looked at her bare toes. She’d jumped out the window without stopping to grab her shoes. “There’s a school there, for healing and medicine. Evaine wanted me to see it.”
“She wants you to move toSylvet?”
“I don’t know. Maybe. Just for a few years.” Anaya gave him a shy smile. “She thinks I have a shot at going on to the capital after that, to the great university.”
Rolan said nothing. He felt like Cryptic venom was oozing through his veins.
“I told her I have to think about it,” Anaya added. “And with everything going on here… I think I’m needed right where I am.”
