“Excuse me?” Kaelis strides around the table and then practically launches himself forward. “You have no authority here.”
“I do, in fact.” Emilia remains calm, producing a letter. I’m reminded of the letter Ravin had at the start of the year. It’s a missive from the king himself. My heart pounds, and the only thing that keeps my ass in my chair, cards in my deck, and expression calm is knowing thatno one—other than Sorza—has recognized me. “By order of the king, Arcana Academy will be under the control of Emilia Ventall for the purpose of finding the traitor Clara Graysword, until her investigation has concluded.”
The whole room is abuzz with murmurs and wary glances. If looks could kill, Kaelis would’ve already ended them all.
Ravin’s heels click with an ominous echo as he crosses the vast hall. He pats his brother’s shoulder in a way that looks just encouraging enough to conceal the condescension. “Emilia’s been rummaging through my city for weeks, this should only be a few days. We need to make sure that rat hasn’t retreated back to its former nest.”
Emilia addresses the room. “Those who are loyal to Oricalis have nothing to fear. Return to your rooms now and await further instruction.”
Heart pounding, I shepherd my students away. As I pass Emilia, I force myself to breathe and keep my gaze forward, posture composed, and strides even.
If she’s here, does that mean the Hierophant is, too?
The second years follow me, along with a handful of Stellis. Sorza lingers near me, as do Dristin and Luren, since they tend to stay close to Sorza. No one says a word as we pass even more of the knights searching the halls. A cold sweat dots my brow. Gregor had mentioned things were becoming increasingly restless in the city. Did something happen that pushed them here?
I should go and check on Arina.But there’s no way I can. She’ll be fine until I can find a chance to sneak away. Gregor is there.
Just as we’re about to arrive at the main common area of the students’ dormitories, one of the Stellis blocks our path.
“I need Sorza Sprigspark.” The demand is flat and formal, but I don’t like the way his hand lingers on the hilt of his sword with the promise of violence.
Sorza doesn’t move immediately. Instead, her gaze flicks to me. I give a slight nod.I can’t stop this.
“What do you want with her?” Luren asks out of nowhere, bolder than I ever thought the woman could be.
“She will be interrogated, just as the rest of you will be, too.” The Stellis’s voice remains calm, but his grip tightens.
“The students of this academy are under the headmaster’s care. You can’t just pull us aside to do who knows what to us. We are students, Arcanists; we are not traitors.” Luren doesn’t flinch. What happened between the academic years to make her so bold?
“You heard the king’s orders. The academy, for the time being, is under Captain Emilia’s control.” The Stellis takes a step forward. “Sorza,now.”
Sorza gives Luren’s hand an encouraging squeeze. “I’ll be fine,” she whispers.
“Move.” The knight grabs Sorza’s other arm, yanking her forward.
“Do not manhandle my students,” I say firmly. He looks at me warily. “She is complying.”
“I can do what pleases me.” The man smiles—no, more like sneers—and oh, how I loathe his words. He shoves Sorza toward the other knights, who catch her with firm grips. They are far too delighted to have this power—to come into the territory Kaelis has carved out from Oricalis for years.
“I said,do not manhandle my students.” I step forward.This is way too risky. Clara, you are being an idiot,I scold myself with every movement I make. But not doing this would feel more disingenuous to my persona as Sophie Veillgar, the teacher who cares for her students. And it’s too ingrained in me to stand up to fucks like these to stop now.
“Or what?” The Stellis before me moves between me and Sorza. Without warning, he grabs my face, squeezing. He loosens his sword in its sheath. My mind is sorting through the cards in my deck. “What willyoudo?”
“She won’t do anything.” Kaelis’s voice is cold fury.
There’s a flash of light that’s engulfed by shadow right in front of my nose. A breeze blows my hair. At once, the pressure disappears from my face.
I blink as the man’s hand falls. Not lowers. Not moves.
Falls.
With a clang.
Severed at the wrist. Magic cutting through armor, skin, and bone.
The Stellis stares at the stump that is his wrist before letting out a bloodcurdling scream. He staggers back. I can feel Kaelis moving forward, the weight of his presence causing the students to part for him. He stares over my shoulder and down at the man.
“Lay a hand on one of mine again, and you’ll lose a lot more than that,” Kaelis vows.
