Page 126 of Liminal

He just shrugs. “Either way, we can open some presents together before I leave.”

Both of them are practically bouncing on the soles of their feet, and the Arcanaeum decides now is the perfect time to start raining glittering magical snowflakes over us all.

“Can you take me shopping?” Eddy asks him. “I need to grab something without North knowing?—”

“You’re not leaving.” Lambert shuffles uneasily on the spot. “You claimed Sanctuary, Eddy. If you leave?—”

“What? Josef’s gonna hunt me down in the middle of the street? Let him try. Kyrith’s been teaching me self-defence.”

“I have taught you basic nullification,” I correct. “Hardly enough to defend yourself against a magister. You’re also rather weak for an arcanist.” It’s sometimes the way with twins, which has led to multiple unfounded theories of magic being stolen in the womb.

Eddy’s eyes narrow, and a flash of stubbornness crosses her face. “I’m not weak.”

“She didn’t mean it like that.” Lambert holds his hands out, trying ineffectually to step between us. “Kyrith’s just blunt.”

“You are not strong enough to master anything beyond foundation level magic,” I say honestly. “That’s not a bad thing.”

She needs to accept it, and fast. Not only for her own safety, but for her sanity.

“I’ve seen too many arcanists obsess over becoming stronger,” I warn. “It never ends well. You have the drive to become an accomplished arcanist, and you have time to discover your talents.”

Eddy isn’t saying anything. Her arms remain crossed over her chest, and she stares me down. Even Lambert is shooting me an expectant look.

What am I supposed to say? Does she want me to lie and tell her she’s a strong arcanist? Is this one of those ‘well, as long as you make an effort, you can be anything you want to be’ lies? Isn’t she a little old for that kind of mollycoddling?

“This is the part where you say you’re sorry,” Eddy coaches. “You don’t call your friends weak.”

My hand finds the edge of my sleeve and tugs as I turn away. “I apologise, but you need to understand that I’m not going to be the last person to call you that. Adepts will shove it in your face at every opportunity, and they’ll do it more often if it becomes clear that it gets to you. Better to own it now than deal with the consequences later.”

Because if there’s one thing that’s worse than being magically weak, it’s being an easy target.

“Or I could just kick them in the balls.” Eddy shrugs.

“That’s not how things work with arcanists,” Lambert nudges. “The boss is right. The moment you even hint at being sensitive over it, it will follow you everywhere.”

“You’re the sister of a future parriarch,” I remind her. “That can go one of two ways. Either you’re an easy target for anyone looking to strike at North, or you’re an asset to his house. Which is it?”

“Like you even have to ask.” She turns her nose up in mock offence. “But seriously… How on earth am I supposed to be useful if I’m so ‘weak?’” She makes finger quotes in the air at the last word.

“Learn everything about everyone,” Lambert suggests. “That was what my dad did for my mom. He was like her social encyclopaedia, which was great, because she hated that shit.”

It’s the first time he’s spoken about his parents, and Eddy shoots him a sympathetic look that makes me certain he won’t make the same mistake again.

To save him from whatever she’s about to say, I add, “Or you can become so talented at foundation magic that no one will dare cross you. People look down on Alchemy until a bomb blows up in their face or they’re begging for the antidote to an incurable poison. Ackland might have some of the strongest destruction school magisters in the world, but they won’t dareassault the McKinley fortress because their nullifiers are just as formidable.”

Eddy’s grin becomes downright luminous, but it’s gone as quickly as it comes. “I don’t think we’ll get that far. North doesn’t want to become parriarch.”

“Unless he dies, there’s not much of a choice.”

He’s powerful, a direct descendant of the current head of the family, and clearly being groomed for the position. It’s rare for anyone to contest that. No one is stupid enough to want a weakling at the head of the family. They’d be crushed by the other parriarchs.

The only reason our society works is because the houses remain in balance.

Lambert shuffles in place, evidently uncomfortable with the reminder of his own fate. I can’t imagine he’s too fond of the idea of leading the Winthrops, either. He doesn’t exactly have the personality for sitting in on meetings, and he would have to give up his aspirations as well. Perhaps he’s simply hoping that the current Winthrop parriarch outlives his magiball career, or maybe that a more powerful Winthrop cousin is born before she dies.

“Anyway,” he continues. “Christmas shopping?”

“Yes.” Eddy relaxes at the change of subject. “I’ll even put up with you as an escort.”