Page 111 of The Fifth Heir

“And now you can?”

“I can prove Torren did not complete the turn. I can prove the final change originated at the center circle. I cannot prove how you caused it.”

“That sounds like a distinction Malcolm will honor.”

“No,” Sebastian said. “It sounds like accurate evidence he cannot easily dismiss.”

I wanted to remain angry.

The answer made it difficult.

“I would still like to know when information about me is being given to Malcolm.”

“Agreed.”

He offered no excuse, which helped more than one would have.

Camilla arrived that afternoon.

The academy guard posted outside the Fifth Wing announced her before opening the door. She entered carrying a covered basket and stopped when all four men looked toward her.

“I came to see my sister.”

Rafe leaned back in his chair. “We assumed the basket was for us.”

“It isn’t.”

“I’m prepared to reconsider my disappointment if the contents are good.”

Camilla’s expression barely changed. “Mother sent honey cakes.”

“My disappointment is considerable.”

I crossed the common room before he could ask for one.

Camilla hugged me carefully, avoiding my shoulder. When she drew back, she looked at my throat first, then my wrapped wrist.

“They told us in the Hall that you manifested a scale.”

News had traveled faster than the healer.

“Yes.”

“May I see it?”

I led her into the study and activated the rune lamp.

Camilla stood beside me while I adjusted the focusing plates. I pushed up my sleeve and turned my wrist beneath the concentrated light.

The scale appeared.

My sister stared.

I had watched Camilla maintain her composure when the Prism passed over her, when the Fifth Wing opened, and when the First Trial credited no one with victory. The transparent scale broke through it.

Her hand rose toward mine.

She stopped before touching me.