AllFreeNovel
Share Us
As I debate how to answer, I notice one of the bug club members has turned her head our way. My pulse stutters.
If they get the impression that I really am friends with Petra, any point I’ve managed to make with my disastrous archery performance won’t matter at all.
I lift my chin as if I’m offended that she asked. “I’m sure you have better things to do than worry aboutmywell-being.”
Before she can respond, I apply my heels to Toast’s sides. He breaks into a canter.
Now I have to hope that Petra isn’t so offended she complains about me to the king. This is a nice pickle I’ve found myself in.
Not for the first time, I miss the simplicity of ripping off corrupt merchants and dropping coins on window ledges. At least as the Hand of Kosmel, I always knew exactly where I stood, exactly what needed doing.
I manage to stay ahead of Petra for the rest of the hunt. I also manage to nick the edge of one target, to Julita’s excited cheer as if I hit it dead center. Which I guess with my aptitude is about the equivalent.
I keep up my show of being disgruntled with my pitiable skills while I brush Toast down and head back to the college buildings, however much good it’s doing. My gut feels heavy.
How much longer will I have to keep up this whole charade?
The question nags at me through Stavros’s afternoon class in the field, through a lonely supper in the dining hall, through a quick wash in one of the shared bathing rooms that aren’t half as fancy as those in the companionship division.
Then, as I’m toweling myself off, a prickle spreads across my left palm.
I jerk my hand around. The glowing words crawl across my skin.
Midnight. Same place. Come alone.
I stare at my palm for a few seconds longer after the message fades away, waiting for relief to wash over me. All that rises up is a vague sense of trepidation.
I got what I was looking for. But I also wish I could be doing anything other than walking into the woods at midnight tonight.
Thirty-One
Ivy
Iarrive fifty paces into the woods with a cool autumn breeze nipping at my arms. As I peer through the darkness, I tug my cloak closer around me.
This time, the scourge sorcerers don’t make me wait for long. It can’t be more than a few minutes before two black-shrouded figures emerge from the thicker blackness between the trees.
Two black-shrouded figures… and a man in noble clothing whose smooth face still holds a touch of baby fat.
I have the vague sense I’ve seen his face around campus—he’s got to be a first year, only eighteen.
I only have two years on him, but seeing his wide eyes and the nervous set of his mouth, I suddenly feel ancient in comparison.
“Come along,” one of the shrouded figures says, managing to sound gruff even with the magical warble altering her voice. At least, I think it’s a her. “The ceremony will begin soon.”
She and her silent companion usher the nobleman and me through the woods at a brisk pace. I sneak glances at the guy, noting the resolve in his shoulders and the set of his jaw.
I’m pretty sure he’s a potential recruit just like me. Why are they bringing us together now?
Why are they letting usseeeach other? When Benedikt accused me, they let him stay hidden until they started to doubt his story.
I guess I should be glad that their leaving us on equal ground probably means I’m not about to face another accusation of treachery.
Maybe it’s yet another different test. The scourge sorcerers don’t want to risk letting us identify any of the established conspirators, but if we turn on our fellow candidates, they’ll know we can’t be trusted to hold our tongues.
The young man whose name I don’t know keeps quiet, so I do the same. I’m not sure what I could say that would be a good idea anyway. This isn’t exactly a prime setting for small talk.
Fancy meeting you here! Lovely night to plot against the royal family, isn’t it?
