Page 11 of Obsidian and Frost

“You’ve attended?”

Even though he’d studied at a different academy—Maven Academy—it would be just like him to find a way to access another academy’s clandestine night of debauchery.

“No. I asked around, asked the right people, trying to find someoutletsfor you, and this was one that I discovered.”

He’d done that for me? Gone to all that trouble?

I wasn’t the best at entertaining emotions—or processing them.

If I ventured down that road it could risk destabilizing the heavy compartmentalization I had in place that was holding back the onslaught of two fucking atrocities—one that had happened to me and another that I’d unwittingly caused thanks to Corvin.

Motherfucker.I blinked and managed, “I appreciate that, Kai.”

My delivery was stilted and… not the best.

But I saw him register what it really meant from me, and he smiled. “Of course.”

He handed the token over and I pocketed it in my hooded coat.

“Try to see this as an opportunity, not just a punishment. Hell knows you need some fun with everything else hanging so heavily over you.”

“I’ll consider it,” I offered.

“Good.” He looked at my suitcases. “Do you need an assist with the teleportation?”

“No. I’ve got it. Still strong.” That was half the truth, because my power had begun to misfire and short out once in a while.

But itwasjust once in a while.

I was still the Almighty Necromancer.

I was still me.

“All right, then I’ll see you up at Arcanum Conclave in a few days then.”

“That you will.” I reached out and laid my hand on his shoulder. “Give Ariana, Nyx, and Vorzyr my best.”

“You’ve got it.”

He laid his hand on mine over his shoulder for a moment.

And then he teleported out.

With a flick of my magic, I shut and locked the door that he’d blown open.

Then I sealed up the house as well.

With a centering breath to steel myself, I conjured a teleportation spell, then headed out for Wraeven Academy.

Here we fucking go.

3

~Velra~

Wraeven Academy.

There it was in all its glory.