Page 95 of The Seeker

I cut her off. “I told you long ago, inaction is the same as saying you are permitting something—even though your mouth doesn’t move. If I sat on your council, allowing you to repress knowledge belonging to the people knowingly, it is the same as if I announced it to a crowd.” I swallowed, for as much as I practiced this speech, it was difficult to say it out loud to someone I’d always thought would be on my side. “Thus, I will not sit on your council and allow you to convince people that I don’t believe access to magic should be universal and that those above them should hoard power.”

“That’s not how you felt before,” she snapped, her hands vibrating with restrained anger.

“I’m allowed to change my mind.” I brushed a hand down the front of my clothing. “You are too, Collum. We make decisions to the best of our ability with the information we have. When we gain more information, we are allowed to change our mind, allowed to amend our decision to something better . . . for everyone.”

Collum’s breaths were coming out as pants. “But, Runa⁠—”

“That’s Ms. Wormald to you now, Collum, as we are no longer allies.”

I turned to take the last few steps over the doorframe, but Collum called out, “But . . . Runa, it—it sounds like . . . like you are⁠—”

“Declaring war?” I asked over my shoulder, a smirk on my lips. “It’s because I am. I am glad you are well, Collum. I am happy you are trying to make Malheim a better place . . . for some people. Would be better if it were for all people but alas . . . I will take my leave now, but the next time you see me, it will not be as friends, but as two opposing forces standing on opposite sides of a line I refuse to cross.”

My feet moved forward, as I activated the next part of my plan. It was a challenge, with Collum calling after me, begging me to wait.

But I would not.

I was done being told what to do. I was done being told what was right for some people. The gods gave the Seid magic books to make magic accessible to everyone, not just the few. And I knew that allowing those in charge to continue holding the key to magic would only continue the abuse I, myself, had been subject to over and over again. Everyone deserved to have access to magic. Though it meant that power may occasionally fall into the wrong hands, it also meant that everyone would have the opportunity to defend themselves, should trouble arise.

And it was time to give people the option that had been denied to them for too long.

Rounding the corner, I paused, pushing my back against the cold stone. I didn’t know what Collum would do—how she would try to stop me. But I knew I needed to be fast.

Closing my eyes, I tried to quiet my mind, like the times when I’d meditated in the past. I had a hunch, one that had started when I’d seen those books in Otho’s hands in Shianp.

It was the reason I’d forgone my potion the day before after the attack. And why I hadn’t taken any in Malheim.

I allowed myself to drift to the spot inside of me, where my magic resided in glowing threads. There was still a wall around the one which was filled with whispers, but I would dismantle that soon.

I turned away, staring instead into the darkness, searching.

There it was. A faint purple glow.

Inhaling deeply, I stepped toward it, my eyes still closed as my hand rested on the stone wall as a guide. It was a challenge to walk like this, around a keep, with my eyes closed and only magic guiding me, but I managed.

Servants passed me in the hall, but they said nothing, which told me how little they thought of me—if they even knew who I was. The glow grew brighter as I drew closer, the shapeless glow fading into a coil of purple thread.

I opened my eyes, finding myself in front of a closed door. Without waiting, I pushed it open to find an unoccupied bedroom. Remembering the direction of the coil, I walked to the bedside table, yanking open the drawer with ease. There was a purple book there, one I didn’t recognize, and I shoved it in the bag before heading back to the door.

Walking a few steps away from the bedroom, I closed my eyes again, repeating the process. This time, the magic led me to a stack of three books, one of them I recognized from my days in Adis’ palace. I shoved them in the bag too, knowing my time was running out.

Collum definitely would have alerted the council to my changing sides by now, but I was relying on the fact that she wouldn’t know that I knew how to seek, and that she would trust me when I promised to leave peacefully.

Well, it wasn’t a lie, I was walking to the stable to collect my horse without hurting anyone, but I wasn’t exactly leaving empty-handed.

Entering the stable, I was met by Derek, and an already saddled Nala led by his hand. My gaze zeroed in on the military-issue saddle she wore.

“It will be safer,” he stated, his dark eyes searching mine.

I narrowed my gaze, tilting my head to the side. Had he been coached to say that or . . . “If you ever want to learn anything, come find me. Signa’s palace, on the outskirts of Ralheim.” I hoped that was covert enough to keep me safe. I hadn’t gotten to know Derek well during my time at Malheim, but something told me he was on my side. Especially considering how highly Ena thought of him.

“I will. Safe travels.” He dipped his chin as I hoisted myself on Nala with ease.

Then I was out of the stable, pushing Nala into a trot as we exited the keep. I kept her pace steady as we passed through to town, only pushing her into a full gallop on the open plains.

We were almost back to Signa’s cottage (I still didn’t think of it as mine), when I realized that I would need to do the same thing I’d done in Malheim, in Ralheim.

At least there I knew I would have an ally.