Page 42 of The Stone Initiation
Silence greeted his declaration and my stomach quivered because witches had been wiped out by the Gray, and mageri had risen to take their place. Everyone knew that.
Yarrow smiled thinly. “You’ll learn more about my kind in arcana class. In the meantime, feel free to speculate, because that’s always fun.” He clapped his hands together and the lights came back on fully. “If there aren’t any further questions, then Miss Yarrow has your timetables.”
But I had a question. The burning question I’d come here to solve. I raised my hand high and waited for his golden gaze to settle on me.
“Yes, Miss Walker?”
Shit, my mouth was dry. I licked my lips and cleared my throat. “There are five elite guard, right? They organize the alpha teams?”
“That’s correct.”
“But I’ve only seen three of them, are the others out on the frontlines…” I let my question hang.
He pressed his lips together. “I assume you’re fishing for information on the unfortunate accident that occurred a few weeks ago.”
Silence had descended thick and heavy as everyone focused on Yarrow and what he was about to say.
“Mr. Basque was killed in an unfortunate accident on a routine sweep of one of the further eastern sectors.”
Unfortunate accident.
I was sick of hearing that crap. I grit my teeth. “An accident? What kind of accident?”
His eyes narrowed. “An unfortunate one.”
Rage flickered in my chest, but I breathed through my nose to temper it. “I’m just wondering what kind ofaccidentcould kill an elite gargoyle, that’s all.”
Touron tensed beside me, and Sharniza sat forward slightly as if eager to know the answer.
“I wish I knew,” Yarrow said. “But that information is above my paygrade.”
He was lying. I could feel it.
But the others seemed satisfied with the answer, and no one pushed for more. Iwanted to ask—push—but doing so might come across as odd. I mean, who was I? Some half-blood getting in his face about an accident that happened to an elite, someone so far removed from me and my life that I shouldn’t even care.
But I did. I cared all too much, and it took everything I had to snap my mouth closed and sit back.
Yarrow watched me for several beats before turning his attention to the class. “Stay seated until Miss Yarrow calls your name, then collect your timetable and you’re free to go.”
I guess question time was really over now.
His sister hurried to take his place at the front of the class, but she kept her head down, rummaging in her satchel for a sheaf of papers. She fumbled and the papers slipped from her grasp and fluttered to the ground. Someone laughed and she flinched.
“Who laughed?” Mr. Yarrow’s golden eyes glowed as he stepped forward to scan faces. “Who. Laughed?” The air was suddenly heavy and charged with energy.
His sister grabbed his hand. “It’s okay, Blake. I’m fine.”
I slipped off my seat and grabbed a couple of the timetables that had floated my way then handed them to her.
“Thank you.” She smiled shyly.
“No problem.” I helped her pick up the rest before returning to my seat.
“Palia Lambert,” she called.
The next few minutes flew by. I was one of the last cadets to get my timetable and Mr. Yarrow intercepted me at the door.
“Miss Walker, a word, please.”
