Page 128 of Architecti
She takes a seat at the table and opens her books.
“Midnight…”
But Lex and Bastien return holding food and drinks for everyone.
“I just can’t get this contract essay right,” Lex whines while shovelling chicken and salad in her mouth.“All the clauses are clunky, and I think I’m missing obvious contractual issues.”
“Give it here,” I say, holding my hand out for the parchment.
I scan it, and it’s actually exceptional.“I only see one issue.You’ve missed an obvious loophole here.Not going to tell you what it is, but this is where it should go.”I point at a sub clause in her document, and she nods.
“Thanks, Prof.”
I smile at her, all the while painfully aware of how quiet Midnight is.It makes my insides squirm recognising that I’m the one responsible for the haunted look in her eyes.
“Speaking of contracts,” Bastien says, raising his eyebrow at me.“How has it gone?”
I shrug.“Not well.”I get up from the table and pull the contract from the drawer.“I can’t read it.And anyone I’ve tried to contact was a dead end.”
Lex rubs her hands together as she nestles next to me and examines it.
“The fact it’s in celestial runes…” Lex pauses.
Midnight rakes her hand through her hair and looks at me.“I guess it’s to be expected, given your neck.”
“And yet, Ignatius wrote the contract, so arguably it should be in demonic scripture,” Lex continues.
“It’s proving quite the mystery,” I say.
“What do we do?How does it get read?”Midnight asks.
“It doesn’t.I don’t know anyone at Finis who can read angelic runes.In fact, I’m not sure I know anyone in Ora City who can.Not alive, anyway.”
Bastien shifts in his seat.A light sheen breaks out over his brow.
I narrow my eyes at him.“Spit it out.”
He rubs his forehead, licking and chewing at his bottom lip.
“Bastien?”Lex snaps.
He raises his hands in defence.“I know someone who can, or they could, at least.”
“Definecould,” Midnight says, leaning on her chair legs to swing in her seat.
“She’s dead,” he groans.
“Says the resurrectionist,” Lex scoffs.
He gives her a shitty stare.“What’s the first rule of resurrection?”
“Who cares?I dropped it the first week we were here.I’m not in your classes, remember?”
But I know where this is going and why he’s so uncomfortable.“Don’t resurrect family,” I say.
He points at me.“One point to the prof.”
“It’s your sister?”Midnight asks.
