Page 81

“Because…” He stops, mouth open as he gapes at me. His hands fall to fists at his sides as he shakes his head dismissively. Clearly, whatever he was going to say wouldn’t have played into his hands right now. Whatever he was about to say may have led us to believe he’s closer to Erikel than anyone else is aware of.

Watching him slip up would have been spectacular.

Maybe if we keep pissing him off, it just might happen.

Burton straightens the lapels of his suit jacket and addresses the entire gathering. “If we don’t hand over the ruby, we’ll be forced into battle.”

Nice transition back to pinpointing this on me. Asshole.

“If he gets the ruby, we will be forced to fight then too. Regardless, we’re being left bending the knee to his will,” I bite, and Burton bares his teeth for the briefest second before gaining control of himself.

“Are you going to summon us all to our deaths?”

This fucking man. He’s rocked up here without caring about anything but his own intentions. One slip and his layers of secrecy and betrayal will all come tumbling down.

“This isn’t on me. It’s on Erikel. I can say it until I’m blue in the face but it doesn’t stop the fact that you’re not hearing me. I don’t have it. I don’t want it. And I don’t know where it is. If that’s the only thing saving us all, then give us a mission, set us a task, and we will perform for the safety and security of our academy and the realm.”

My words are firm, and my attempt to redirect the situation back to him is pretty successful, but he still inches toward me.

He’s either going to back off or expose himself, and I’m willing to watch either unravel before my eyes.

“Does nobody else find it strange that Genie was found dead in the caves, exactly where the ruby was believed to be? Her magic no longer lingered, and she couldn’t be saved from the darkness. That’s something only the ruby can do. Someone must have it, someone with fury aimed in Genie’s direction, wouldn’t you agree?”

My teeth grind together in anger, but I manage to keep my face neutral as I shrug. “I don’t know anything about that.”

Did I kill her? Yes. Did I take her magic? Yes. Did I use the ruby? No. And I don’t want him to know what I’m capable of either, so he isn’t going to find out right now.

Hurried footsteps stumble into the room, drawing everyone’s attention to the hallway where Professor Fitch steps in.

“And why is this guy hanging off Erikel’s every word all of a sudden?” the fourth year bellows, aiming his finger at the new arrival. This time, I have to lift my hand to cover my grin.

“How do you think I’m getting the information,” Burton snaps back, his face reddening.

He looks crazier than ever, completely unhinged.

A total madman, not the smooth, polished leader he was before. I’m not even sure how or why any of us are listening to him.

Fitch doesn’t pay the comment any mind, not even glancing in Leila’s direction as he leans in to murmur in Burton’s ear. He stands abruptly as Fitch takes a step back.

“This meeting is dismissed. Think about what I’ve said.” His eyes land on mine.

All he’s actually said is that I have to hand the ruby over, and I really don’t fucking have it.

Muttered annoyance echoes around the room as everyone shuffles toward the hallway. I hang back a step, hoping to catch any glimpse of information, but there’s no luck. Reluctantly, I take Creed’s tug on my hand and fall into step with him, surrounded by the rest of my Bishops as we go.

My steps falter when I make it to the bottom of the staircase, watching as my brother trudges down the steps with an unwavering aura of fear oozing from him.

His eyes lock on mine, pinning me in place as he mouths one word to me.

Now.

TWENTY-FIVE

RAVEN

My heart stutters as the word continues to revolve in my head.

Now.