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“Thanks for your trust, Grandkeeper,” Viktor said as he pulled a mint from his pocket.
The corner of my mouth twitched. Suck-up.
“How about it, Elle? Will you get Viktor up to speed while we increase security and help the casters with the tracing spell?”
No, no, no, no! “Of course I will.”
“Great.” Edmund turned back and explained the new security measures to the room, but I couldn’t think straight.
I needed this. If I became keeper, then I could find a way back to my sister. I’d have standing in the community. I could persuade them to let my sister live here—as a server, maybe. I’d also finally belong here. Other covens had told me for as long as I could remember that human-born witches’ magic was weak. Clearly that wasn’t true, not when it came to Viktor.
He leaned across, and I hated how good he smelled. “Looks like you and I will be spending lots of time together, doll.” He winked and sat back.
My heart raced. I prayed to the gods that he wouldn’t learn too fast, at least to keep a few steps behind me so I could become keeper first.
I tuned back into Edmund’s speech, most of which didn’t concern Viktor or me, as apprentices. We couldn’t access the high-level objects needed to guard the mansion and fuel the barrier, which apparently they needed to do too.
“Dora and I will be going with Alma to the barrier. We need to ensure the magic at the barrier stays strong.”
“Why would it?—”
Maddox gave me a look, and I remembered what Edmund had once told me. Magic like that, to create a barrier, required so much life force, it could take down a normal person. Fortunately, Alma was an elder and could withstand it, but it took its toll. With her as the only elder in our province and the others unable to now get in, the barrier would have almost drained her. It made sense she’d need additional help from dark objects. Some were filled with so much energy, they had literally crumbled temples and towns before.
“Maddox, you will remain here and keep the spells around the mansion up.”
Maddox nodded. “You got it.”
Edmund looked at me. “Get that note to Naomi. Tell her to come tonight, if possible, before we leave. If she can bring her grandmagician, even better.”
I nodded. I went to stand, but Viktor grabbed my hand, stopping me. Maddox walked behind Edmund and Dora. Once they were out the door, I pulled my hand back from his. “What in the underworld are you doing?”
“I needed to talk to you. Alone.”
My heart raced. “What is it?”
He glanced at the door, then ensured we were in fact completely alone, save for Benji who was still cat-napping in the corner. “I need your help with something.” Uncertainty laced his voice, a vulnerability I was not accustomed to since he arrived. “I need to get out of here and into the woods, tonight, but with the extra security…”
“You need a way out of here no one else knows about.”
“Yes.”
“You figured I’d know?”
He shrugged. “Yes.”
“Why do you need to go into the woods?”
His gaze searched mine, and I felt oddly vulnerable. “To train.”
“We have gardens.”
“I prefer the woods. Like you.”
“You’re asking the girl who found a dead body to tell you a way to the same place where said dead body was found, at night, when there’s a murderer on the loose?”
He scratched the back of his head. “When you put it like that…”
“It’s a dumb idea, and I’m not helping you. Live a little longer and just stay inside. Maybe study, not that you need to.”
