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“Your assurances mean nothing, Hadrian.” Athene focuses on me. “Catrin, your birth brought destruction on us, but you were innocent then, and we did not blame you. You are not innocent now. All of you must leave, immediately.”
I take a step toward her. “But where else can I hide Simon?”
“That is not our concern.”
“But—”
“It’s all right, Cat,” says Simon. “Your family has done more than enough.”
“We don’t need to worry about finding Remi,” adds Lambert. “He’ll eventually come home. We can hide Simon and deal with Remi in the morning after I talk to my father.”
I suppose he’s right. “Where can Simon stay until then?”
“The Sanctum?” suggests Lambert. “That building is huge. Surely there are areas that no one goes in regularly.”
There are many such places, especially in the older sections. I kick myself for not thinking of the Sanctum sooner, but Simon couldn’t have climbed to any of them with his ankle last night.
“Yes, that’s a good idea,” I say. “But getting there will be tricky with all the patrols.” I feel guilty asking, but Athene might be willing if it gets rid of us. “Can we borrow your moonweave cloak again?”
She sighs and turns back into the washroom to fetch it. “At this point I may as well give it to you.”
I follow her, wanting a private word. “Athene, I’m sorry for causing so much trouble.”
“You should be.” She takes the cloak down from the peg by the back door. “I understand that the Hadrian world is in turmoil right now, as are you, but you’ve piled risk upon risk on us without considering the consequences.”
“I won’t ask for anything more,” I promise. “You have my word.”
“That is not the solution, either, Catrin,” she says. “We need you as much as you need us.”
“Is this about your hopes that I will save Selenae magick from extinction?”
“Partly,” she admits. “But it’s also about you and what you possess.” She holds the cloak out to me. “A gift misused is a curse. Never forget that.”
I fold the moonweave over my arm. “How do I know if I’m misusing my gifts?”
Athene considers for a moment. “That’s complicated to answer, but a good way to judge is whether you are feared bythose you love. It’s one thing to fear what someone is capable of, it’s another entirely to fear what someone will do with that capability. A weapon is only dangerous in the wrong hands.”
I think of Magister Thomas, who knew some of what I was—or might be—capable of, and yet his faith in me never wavered. Marguerite accepted that magick might be good only after she knew I had it. Simon isn’t afraid of me, even knowing more than anyone else.
“I’ll remember that,” I tell her.
Athene nods. “I have to get back to the song before Gregor becomes suspicious.” She pulls the moonstone dangling on the silver chain from around her neck and places it over my head. “This isn’t as strong as it could be, but I had it in the pond for a good hour tonight. It’s in better shape than the one you have.”
As soon as it touches my skin, the magick in my blood responds, bringing the world into sharp clarity. Simon is tying his boots in the next room, having removed the wrap and bloodstones. Lambert’s heart beats rapidly; he’s eager to leave. “Thank you,” I say. “I promise to use it well.”
“I’d rather you promise to bring it back.”
“That, too.”
Athene opens the door and pauses with her hand on the latch. “Always remember what you are, Catrin.”
“What is that? A bridge between Hadrian and Selenae?”
“Exactly.” She nods as she steps into the moonlight. “A bridge.”
Athene pulls the door shut behind her, leaving me slightly puzzled. She’s said that before. Why bring it up again?
Then I understand.
I hurry back into the kitchen, where Simon and Lambert are waiting patiently. “I think I know how to find Remi tonight.”
