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He drills me about the books and the other information in them, and I answer as best I can. I hadn’t been paying much attention to the other details. Mostly just the one fact. Finally, he asks me one last question. “Did these books have a symbol with a circle with an ‘M’ and a merpeople tail?”

“I don’t know. What would that mean?”

“That it was verified by our historical society as being accurate. But that isn’t the only way to prove a book’s truth.”

“What now?” I ask. “And like I said, I’m not killing you.”

He pats where my knees would be. “And I appreciate that. Let’s find your mom and Sebastian. They’re both concerned about you.”

I frown. “I didn’t mean to worry anyone. I also didn’t mean to blurt that out.”

He helps me up. “I’m glad you did. Now it’s off your chest, and we can figure out what it means.”

“Sounds pretty clear to me,” I mumble.

“If it’s accurate. It almost sounds to me like it was planted.”

“But nobody could’ve known I’d go to those libraries! For one, I’m a first-year. I’m not even allowed in the academy’s library. And nobody could’ve predicted I’d go to the other one. I went on a whim.”

He scratches his chin. “How did you get into the academy’s library?”

I sigh. “Promise not to tell any of the faculty?”

“I can promise you won’t get into trouble.”

“It’s not me I’m worried about.”

“You have my word none of your friends will get in trouble, either.”

I hesitate before speaking. “A student from the magic school gave us a cloaking spell—he was practicing for a class.”

My dad tilts his head. “Us?”

I close my eyes, realizing I just implicated Bash. “Me. He gave me a cloaking spell.”

The corners of his mouth twitch. “I just got done telling you none of your friends would get into trouble.”

“I’ve already gotten him into enough trouble today.”

He nods. “Our friend Sebastian, I assume.”

“He’d prefer to be called Bash.”

“And I prefer to use people’s given names.” Dad puts his arm around me and heads for the door. “It’s going to take a while for you to get used to having a father you can trust, isn’t it?”

I shrug. “Maybe.”

“It’s understandable. Just so you know, if I could go back in time and change anything, I’d marry your mom and never allow my brother anywhere near the two of you. I was young and frightened to stand up to my own father. Living with the repercussions of that decision has taught me many things. I didn’t do right by either one of you, and I hope you can find it in your heart to forgive me.”

“I do,” I say quickly. “I remember Grandfather, and I can’t imagine ever daring to stand up to him.”

He kisses the top of my head. “I think you would have.”