Page 110 of Fractured Fates

“She’s one girl, and the Chancellor likes to set an example. Not every mother wants to hand over their precious child to become a soldier. He needs to prevent them from getting any ideas.”

“So they showed leniency. Why would that mean they have information about her?”

I shrug. “Beats me,” I say with annoyance. “It’s just a theory.”

Stone glances at me from the corner of his eye and I know there’s more.

“What is it?”

“There are memories in her mind, ones I can’t access. She wasn’t aware they existed.” He swallows more of his beer, swiping his tongue along his bottom lip afterwards. “I think they were locked there by another magical.”

“Can you get in?”

He snorts. “Of course.”

“So did you?” My body tenses. Whatever memories are buried deep inside the girl’s mind may hold the answers to all the mysteries that exist about her.

“No. I asked her if she wanted me to open them and she said no.”

“Why?”

“Doesn’t trust me not to hand her secrets over to the authorities.”

I freeze, turning my head slowly towards him. “You couldn’t keep shit like that–”

“I know. I know.” He spins the beer bottle in his hands. “But I can’t get in unless she lets me and fuck I’m curious.”

The barman points to the clock above his head. He wants to close up soon.

I examine my friend. I’ve known him a hell of a long time. He may seem like this laid-back professor, content with his career, no ambition, no drive. It’s all a load of bullshit. Stone’s driven all right. A man with that many books isn’t coasting. He knows that sometimes tough choices have to be made, that sometimes we do the unscrupulous thing for the greater good. That’s never phased him before.

“You could have lied to her. Told her you’d never tell a soul just to get inside her head. You still could.”

“It had occurred to me.”

“So what stopped you?”

“It … it wasn’t a conscious decision.” He turns his head to look at me and I know for all the bravado and sulking, he cares about the girl. More than he’s willing to admit. “I don’t trust this situation,” he continues. “I don’t trust that there’s no record of this girl or her parents. I don’t trust that her aunt kept her so well hidden. I don’t trust the fact she has powers a girl like her shouldn’t. Fuck, I want to know what’s in her head. But I’m damn scared I’ll regret it.”

His words weigh on my mind as we say our goodbyes and go our separate ways.

He’s right. None of this smells right. And I’m pretty certain I’m right too. The Council knows something about this girl.

I meander through the streets of Los Magicos on my bike, only realizing where I’m heading when I arrive.

The Council building.

The guards let me through the gates without a word. It’s late but I’m often coming and going at strange times given the nature of my work.

I park my bike and take one of the back entrances.

The Council building is dark and quiet. It’s the middle of the night and the only people hanging around are guards, although judging by the number of them, none of the council members are here in the building tonight. Good.

I pass a set of guards at the base of the sweeping staircase, nodding to them all. They let me pass, not even blinking. At the top of the stairs I look down at them. Their eyes are trained ahead, searching for any danger that may be coming their way, unaware of the potential mischief I’m up to behind them.

The corridor is empty. The Chancellor’s personal guards aren’t here tonight; most likely they’re with him at his personal residence in the luxurious part of the city.

I stare at the door to his office, examining the emerald crystal in the door handle.