Page 85 of Forsaken Secrets

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Eli

We turned off on a small street at the edge of town. It was close enough to Fort Gleyma that I could hear the people inside doing their nightly drills from across the river.

Jaiel was going to kill me, but I had to protect Kaiya. If we went to the Overseeker and he did have a grudge against Ellingsworth, surely he'd have enough sway to give her and her aunt protection?

"You ready?" she asked at the entrance of the Seeker Institute.

"Last chance to back out," I said. "I have friends I could call to help rescue the vrytra. And we can figure out some other way to keep you and your aunt safe. Plus, who knows — maybe Lynk's plan will actually work out."

She shook her head and stepped ahead of me, smiling over her shoulder. "It's probably a terrible idea, but it's mine and I think it just might work."

I basked in the smile for just a moment, then motioned towards the gate. "Let's do this then. For better or worse!"

Once this was all over, I'd get permission from Dimiri and tell her I was part of the Rogues. She had a definite bias against them, but perhaps I could convince her to join. We were fighting against the Empire she hated, after all. Plus, with her magic, she'd be a fantastic addition to the cause.

I'd seen how excited she was when Lady Frexin had tried to recruit her, but Frexin's team was dangerous.

We heard stories of all the mages who died working for her …

I'd tried to explain earlier, but Kaiya hadn't wanted to hear it — understandably. Gods. She had enough on her mind.

I just — I hated lying to her.

Kaiya stepped up to the looming metal gate and pulled the bell. Her hands shook, but other than that, she looked calm. I wanted to force her to stay out while I took care of everything, but she needed this.

She needed to know that she'd fixed things.

The gate swung open slowly, and we stepped in. As it closed behind us, I couldn't help comparing it to the way a trap sprung closed after it was tripped, though.

"You've got this, Kaiya," I said, voice soft.

She nodded, striding towards the tall brownstone in front of us. The Institute.

It towered over us in shades of black and brown, as though even its design was meant to be imposing.

The Empire built them in each city a few decades after The Fall. This was one of the smaller ones, though, being so far outside the Capital.

Still, it sent a shudder down my spine to step through those open doors.

We emerged into a large, surprisingly bright entryway …

"Come in." A small man to our right held out his arm and motioned towards Kaiya's shawl. "I'll take that."

She swallowed and passed it to him. He had a King's mark on his left cheek, the swirling black tattoo marking him as a mage — but he wore no Seeker cloak.

Perhaps he was retired? I felt ashamed at how little I knew of this branch of the government — that was more Jaiel's job — but it was still no excuse.

I passed the man my cloak as well.

"How may we help you today?" he asked.

My heart raced, but Kaiya just dipped into a curtsy. "We're here to see Overseeker about a private matter."

The man's eyebrows rose, but he nodded and gestured down a hallway to our left. "His office is at the end. You won't be able to miss it."

We nodded and set off as I forced my breathing to slow. What had I been thinking? Was my shield strong enough? Gods. I hoped so.

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