Page 55 of The Fifth Heir

“I wasn’t asking for the machinery.”

He lifted one eyebrow.

I had asked for construction records. There was little point denying it.

“The assessment rune failed during a routine test,” I said. “The Fifth Wing was removed from every modern tower plan. The Choosing pattern was buried beneath residue. I would like to know whether any Trial records show similar alterations before we enter one.”

The Keeper’s expression did not change.

“Your concern has been noted.”

“That is not access.”

“No.”

He turned toward the exit.

“Why did you call the fifth beam unstable before examining the Prism?”

He stopped.

“Because the Choosing has always selected four heirs.”

“The Fifth Wing has always contained five beds.”

“We do not know how long the wing has existed.”

“The crystal torc predates all five of us.”

“We have not established its age.”

“You haven’t established that the beam was unstable either.”

The Keeper faced me again.

His expression remained composed, but a faint shadow appeared at his feet.

My shadow.

I had not summoned it.

“Be careful, Sebastian,” he said.

“Of what?”

“Confusing unanswered questions with evidence.”

He left the chamber.

His warning was sensible.

That made it less reassuring.

I waited until his footsteps faded, then took a sheet of tracing paper from the examiners’ abandoned desk. I copied the scorch pattern, marked the clear section where Talia had stood, and added the nick beside the failed channel.

Then I went to the archives.

They occupied the lowest level of Crown Wing Academy.