Page 168 of The Fifth Heir

Sebastian remained seated.

“Everything that happens to me turns into a question you need to answer,” I said. “The beam. The torc. The fire. The First Trial. The scale.”

“Yes.”

The immediate agreement hurt.

He rose.

“But I didn’t ask you to come because I need another result.”

“You just said you wanted to test the scale.”

“That was a reason I thought you would accept.”

“What is the real one?”

“I wanted to show you the observatory.”

I stopped.

“Why?”

“Because I think you would like it.”

No one had ever looked less comfortable admitting something kind.

The study runes became gold again.

I glanced at them, then at him.

“Is that true?”

“Yes.”

“And you won’t record what my scale does?”

He hesitated.

“Sebastian.”

“I won’t bring a notebook.”

“That is not the same promise.”

“I won’t record it.”

“Mentally either.”

“That may be beyond my control.”

I tried not to smile.

He saw me trying.

“You may examine it only if I ask,” I said.

“Agreed.”