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A week into my second moon phase, I entered the lab for my daily offering. The door was open, but the room was … unoccupied.

“Hello?” I called.

The air was still.

My pulse sped up. “Hello?”

No one stirred. Unprepared as I am—this could be my only chance.

I stepped up to the shelves of elixirs, scanning the colorful bottles. While studying them during my blood offerings, I had noted two containers as the possible Slip elixir.

I looked around once more, then reached up.

“Looking for something?”

I whipped my head around.

Jarrett stood with a stern look of disappointment. “If you thought a night in the dungeon was bad, I would hate to see what Jesmine would do to you for stealing a potion.” His jaw set.

I backed away from the shelves. “No … I … I was just …” There was no believable lie I could tell. “Please don’t tell her,” I pleaded. He’s right, I was being careless.

He held his lips in a tight line and took a step closer. “Sit. I need to collect your blood.”

Heart pounding, I hesitantly sat in the offering chair. “Are you … will you tell her?”

Without looking in my direction, he shook his head, gathering the supplies for my blood collection.

“As curious as I am about what exactly you were after, I know better than to stoke the fire.” He locked his eyes with mine.

“You need to be smart—” Voices sounded from the hall, cutting off whatever he was about to unveil.

Jesmine walked in, a small group of scholars followed close behind. They disappeared into the back room.

With the Keeper nearby, Jarrett didn’t finish his thought.

Jarrett was a wild card. He masked his emotions well. Sometimes he seemed caring and sympathetic and other times I couldn’t read him. I had no reason to think he would tell Jesmine, but I didn’t exactly feel safe that he’d caught me about to pocket one of her mixtures.

Saying nothing further, he removed my bandage and continued our daily ritual.

My arm had improved since using the ointment Lord Embers gave me. I hated to admit it, but his gift was helpful. The old wounds healed faster, and it made the bite of my fresh cut sting less.

Thankful as I was for the ointment, I definitely didn’t want to see Lord Embers after my outburst. I had to come to terms with my horrible judgement in his character.

Although the look on his face when I confronted him last was …

pained, I had to remind myself that it was all an act.

Unfortunately, that knowledge didn’t prevent me from thinking of him.

Part of me hoped he would appear ready to escort me on another surprise excursion—another part of me was terrified that he would.

The moon had shifted, now nearly full, and I had managed to avoid any major incidents, like disappointing Jesmine—not that I could, given she hardly ever appeared when I was visiting the lab. But it was for the better. My plans had changed, and I wasn’t counting on her to set me free any longer.

The second floor began filling with Ashlora lords and ladies, here to attend the Blood Moon Feast. Unlike when the scholars visited, all the guests brought their own gray eyed servants.

This fact made it obvious that to many Ashlora, humans were considered lesser animals—something to own, trade, or feed from.

Definitely not suitable to change their linens, prepare their tea, or touch their belongings.

In this instance, I was fine with the prejudice, as it helped me keep a safe distance from their scorching hands and vile souls.

It also allowed Claire and me a brief reprieve from managing the guest rooms.

The day before the feast, we were even allowed outside—under the supervision of an Ashlora servant, and only so we could wipe down tables, set up chairs and prepare the courtyard for the guests.

Besides when necessary, we tried to keep out of sight, spending most of our time in vacant alcoves and the library.