Page 47

“There are a lot of things we don’t know about each other, I think.

” Eza gives me a slightly wild smile, reminding me just how much about my past he knows.

It’s more of a threat than anything Alor has said.

For her part, Alor is silent. Though I do catch a sidelong glance from her in Eza’s direction.

They suddenly don’t feel as close as I once thought…

interesting. “It’d be a shame if too much came to light, don’t you think?

Especially with such wild rumors flying about that escapee still at large. People might draw dangerous parallels.”

My hand balls into a fist.

He notices. “Movements, still? Such a bad habit. Maybe I’ll break you of that one day by showing you how a real Arcanist wields.”

“Name the time and place,” I say before I can think better of it.

“Enough.” Thornbrow cuts through the tension. “Lady Redwin, my desk. The rest of you, out.”

I’m not sure how I’m the only one marching to Professor Thornbrow’s desk while the rest of them leave. But Eza’s smug smile follows me the entire time I cross the room. The fist at my side is shaking.

“I must caution you,” Vaduin begins, folding his fingers.

“I fear Alor and Eza already beat you to cautioning me,” I interject.

The corners of his lips twitch toward a frown. But he doesn’t, outright. “Displays like that are unwise.”

“Alor and Eza were the ones who came up to me,” I mutter.

“I’m not talking about them. I’m talking about what you did in class; it’s only going to put more of a target on your back if you show too much, too soon.”

I didn’t expect to get seemingly genuine advice from him of all people. “ More of a target?”

“Kaelis might not be well loved, but there are many who would desire the power proximity to him brings.” He leans back in his large leather chair and splays his hands across the desk.

I think of how Vaduin is always at the prince’s side and wonder if he’s one of those people. But instead I say, “I’m not afraid of them.”

“A rumor can be more deadly than a poison.” Is he honestly trying to help me? I can’t make sense of it.

“If they’re already talking, I might as well be a part of the conversation.” I shrug.

“Having people’s eyes on you is not always a good thing here, Clara.”

“It’s never been a good thing for me.” I shift my bag on my shoulder. I never asked to be wanted, hunted, or thrust into the spotlight. “But here I am.”

“Yet, here you are,” he repeats, voice low and ominous but tinged with a hint of amusement. “Aren’t you a lucky one for it?” His eyes narrow slightly. “A young woman pulled from obscurity thanks to a fortuitous history and a prince’s love.”

“A lucky break, I guess.”

“Lucky, indeed,” he says thoughtfully.

I purse my lips, not liking his not-so-subtle implications. I’m also on edge because of the rumors. “Is that all, Professor?”

“It is. For now.” He dismisses me with a wave of his hand, and I’m ready to be rid of him. Still, I can feel his eyes following my every movement as I leave, and I fight to prevent myself from taking double steps.

The days fall into a monotonous pace. Morning classes—a rotation of inking, wielding, and reading—followed by afternoons spent in the library or practicing.

Luren, Kel, Sorza, Dristin, and I keep one another company at meals as well.

Their companionship makes the days a little more bearable.

I learn that my suspicions about Dristin were correct; he’s a lowborn noble, specifically of Clan Chariot.

I finally feel confident enough to go back to the sanctum now.

While not all my strength has returned, I no longer feel like I’m made of glass.

Sorza is a friendly presence and the sense of safety in numbers she offers helps, too.

And—as much as I hate to admit Thornbrow was right about something—being able to summon cards without movement is reassuring, given how Eza, Cael, and Nidus got the better of me last time by holding my arms.

The days continue in their steady pace.

“Have any of you given any thought to what you’re going to do for All Coins Day?

” Luren asks as the five of us head back to the common area.

She’s been, politely, in my ear about helping her ink for the past week.

I finally decided to give in and assist rather than running off to the sanctum to work on my Major card.

She has more than kept up her end of the bargain by keeping me appraised of all the rumors of the academy.

I’ve cautioned Luren that my approach to inking still isn’t quite what Professor Duskflame would want—a point the professor made painfully clear when I made up time with her not long ago—but the cards I ink work. Which is more than Luren can say about most of her cards.

“Probably inking.” I shrug. “It’s what I’m best at.”

“And it’s a good strategy. You’ll get to know other nobles, as many come to All Coins Day to stock up on additional cards beyond what their clan’s Arcanists can make,” Dristin says approvingly.

“Exactly my thought,” I lie. They say that All Coins Day is designed to give back to the community. But given that only noble clans are permitted to possess cards and they hoard them, the only “community” it helps is the wealthiest.

“You could also do some wielding.” Sorza adjusts the stack of books she’s carrying. She’s made it a point to regularly raid the library, an endeavor I’ve gladly assisted with on more than one occasion.

I’m still on the hunt for information about the World card, as often and as subtly as I can. But there’s precious little to be found. I wouldn’t be shocked if Kaelis had expunged it all from the library.

“It’s amazing how you can use so many cards in a row without getting exhausted. I use three cards and I’m spent for the day,” Dristin laments to me as we enter the common room.

“Lucky like that, I suppose,” I say as we all sit around one of the side tables. Students come and go but pay us little mind.

“Seriously, though, you use cards like a third year would, perhaps even better.” Dristin leans in, lowering his voice.

“Oh, stop,” I say, brushing it off.

“Perhaps she has some secret power she’s not telling us about,” Sorza jokes. I shoot her the fastest of glares. She purses her lips, clearly resisting giving more of a reaction.

“Just think of how much you’ll be able to do after your next offering to the Arcanum Chalice.” Luren opens one of her journals. It’s filled with sketches of symbols and notes for inking. Dristin follows suit. It seems Luren isn’t getting a private lesson today.

“Funny, that…” Dristin adjusts his glasses and lowers his voice. “Any of you ever think that maybe there are ways to use more advanced arcana without sacrificing to the Chalice?”

Sorza and I share another look. Both of our minds no doubt instantly go to being Majors. But there is some truth to what he’s saying, and Kel is the one to confirm it.

“I’ve heard that it’s possible for some Arcanists to innately be able to use more advanced cards,” Kel says. “That, with the right practice or training, they can even unlock these abilities on their own without the Chalice.”

“Kel!” Luren gasps her name, scandalized. “Saying so is against thelaw. The only way to progress in tarot is through sacrifice to the Chalice.”

“I’m not saying I’m going to do it, just that people have said it’s true. Gossip isn’t going to get me taken by city enforcers.” Kel grins mischievously.

Luren shoves her shoulder. “Better just be gossip. I couldn’t handle it if you were hiding power from me.”

“I doubt any of us are hiding power from each other if we’re all trying to help each other pass.” Dristin rubs the back of his neck.

Sorza snorts.

“What?” Dristin looks at her.

“Oh, nothing.”

“Really, what is it?” Dristin perks up.

“Nothing.” Sorza laughs.

The conversation fades away as I flip through my books and pull out my inking supplies.

I hadn’t even considered my next offering to the Arcanum Chalice…

That’s next year’s problem. First, I have to get at least one coin from a student on All Coins Day.

Then pass the Three of Swords Trials. Make a declaration for a house that gave me a coin and then have them accept me.

All while keeping up the illusion of being an heiress who’s madly in love with Kaelis, while somehow simultaneously figuring out a way to forge copies of the Major Arcana cards he wants.

And staying out of association with any rumors of the escapee from Halazar.

That’s more than enough to keep me busy for now. Whatever I’mforced to sacrifice in my second year is too far away for me to worry about. But being able to finally use all the cards I can wield and ink will be a relief. Hiding my power isn’t something I particularly enjoy.

Reading is possibly the worst class ever. I’ve known the principles of it for years, but Arina was always the one who took to it like a falcon on an updraft of the Descent. My general disinterest in the subject is only made worse by Professor Rothou’s demeanor.

Las Rothou is a rather eccentric-looking woman with fair skin and black eyes. She’s always weighted by all manner of quirky jewelry that contrasts with the perpetual breeziness of her usually silken clothes. Her long, black, wavy hair is often free with a streak of white.

But her manner of teaching is in stark contrast to her artsy fashions.

Las teaches reading like Professor Duskflame teaches inking.

Her method is rigid and relies entirely on the traditional symbology of the cards.

There’s no room in her approach for nuance.

Something Luren has the misfortune of finding out firsthand.

“Professor, in your example, would it not be better to read the Seven of Cups more positively?” She brushes hair from her eyes with her usual demure manner. But she speaks her question with confidence. If there’s one class Luren shines in, it’s reading.