Page 6 of Architecti
And then it bites me.
I yelp, but it just headbutts me again, demanding more strokes.
Strange creatures, cats.I get up and walk away, I don’t have time for strays.When tonight is over, I’ll have three hundred and sixty-four days to avoid the same fate as Thaddeus.
3
Lucy
I’ve been summoned like a common contractee.I might be bound to my father, but that does not behove him to summon me like the rest of his grinners.
It’s insulting.
Before I push open the door to his office, I steady the clenching in my gut.There is nothing I dread more than alone time with my father.
The door opens and I find him perched on a desk talking to Professor Thessaly Grimwood who is, in a word, gentle.Her blue eyes are round and smiley, even when she’s cross with a student.Her curves are soft and full, even her hair falls in loose waves around her face.And yet, get her in a classroom and she’s vicious.A professor who demands excellence at all times.But what do you expect?She’s the most respected Eytomancer in a couple of centuries, so the faculty claim.
As I step into the room, she hardens.Those bright blue eyes shift to frigid.Her jaw ticks as she lowers her voice.
“We cannot afford anymore budget cuts, Ignatius.See reason, for demon’s sake.”She lowers her voice.
Father reaches forward, clasping his hands over hers.“Professor Grimwood.I understand your reservations, but it’s imperative that we bolster the Veil.Chancellor Arcadius will make an announcement tomorrow.But I’m approaching the subject leaders I have good relationships with to give them a heads-up.”
She flushes.“I appreciate that, but how do you expect me to continue teaching without a resources budget?Let alone a budget to provide complex linguistic defence?Students need necromantic spells.I can teach the necro languages, but I am no expert in spell defence.”
Father’s face radiates enough warmth that my teeth clench, and my chest burns.It’s rare he displays that kind of warmth towards me.
I crave it.
What girl doesn’t want her father’s love?I don’t have a mother.I was always going to be a daddy’s girl.
He chuckles, a summery rumble that billows from his chest like a bouquet of blossoms.“Why Professor Grimwood?Because you’re the best.It’s rare I’ve seen such creativity in the classroom.Your last fifteen cohorts of students have all received outstanding grades.You constantly innovate in order to push the standards.I hardly think a little snip cut of ten percent on the budget lines is going to do anything more than cause a bothersome afternoon for a professor of your standing.”
Grimwood’s hard stare liquifies, settling into an abashed smile.Once again, Father’s charm penetrates right where he wants it.
Grimwood stands straighter.“I’ll make it work.But I implore you not to make any further cuts.”
Father squeezes her hand and gives it a gentle tap.“I hear you, and thank you, Professor Grimwood.It’s appreciated, especially under these difficult circumstances.”
She withdraws from his grasp and makes her way out, giving me a polite nod, her smile turning stiff as she does.
Father’s office is old.Brown leather books fill the shelved walls.The glow of library-dim orange warms the space.Two Chesterfield armchairs, cracked and worn from the weight of study, nestle in the corners.If it weren’t for the wall filled with plaques and honours my father has received over the years, it would be as unassuming as any other academy reading room.
Father’s rigid, his skin pulling taut across his cheeks.All the affection he showed for Thessaly a moment ago has vanished.He wears the strain in his shoulders like a freshly commissioned soldier.He’s all charm and confidence for Grimwood, but I know the truth.
“Good evening, Professor Corvine,” he says.
“So formal, Father.”I mock curtsey, which makes his lip flicker.
“Indeed.Congratulations are in order.I’m giving you what you wanted.”
“You’re freeing me from my birth contract?”
He rolls his eyes.
As well as saving the city from that wretched fallen angel, Architecti, he saved me from, well, being dead, I guess.Unfortunately for me, I’ve been paying for that graciousness ever since.
His mouth pinches.“As my daughter, how could you possibly think you’ll ever be free of me?That’s not how parenting works.I gave you everything.I raised you singlehandedly?—”
