Page 87 of Architecti
His lips draw thin and he presses them together as if he’s trying to hold the truth in.
“Tell me.”
“Our magic is powerful.But it is supposed to be contained inside one vessel.Not split between twins.”
“Why not?”
“Because it doesn’t always split evenly.”
I frown, scratch my temple.“You mean like fallen angels?”
He nods.“Sometimes one angel goes bad.”
He leaves me standing there with my moth fluttering above my head.As the hall clears, a thread coalesces in my chest.It bears the markers of the same broken little shard I kept from that castle I built as a child.Frayed and sharp-edged.Tainted.Ominous.
I don’t understand.He didn’t say Interitus was bad.Did he?I feel like that’s what he meant.That Interitus is bad.But she isn’t.She’s my sister.And I love her.
This isn’t right.
This feels all wrong.
This is going to end badly.
Very, very badly.
28
Lucy
One Hundred And Fifty-Two Days To Go
The high of discovering the rune is celestial dampens as nothing else surfaces and the weeks blur into months.The academic year drains faster than I’d like to admit.Not least because Midnight’s clock has become my own.
My deal with her to help me break my contract won’t supersede hers with my father—his came first.So no matter what, if he reaps her, we’re both screwed.
There haven’t been any more Societas breaches on campus since Malifax ended himself.And the Veil tears have slowed too, though not ceased.Father concluded Malifax had been causing a good portion of them, at least the ones where they appeared to have been cut rather than bulged and frayed naturally.
Father added more security guards to protect the students—and me—but the way they loiter both around campus and House Inferos has further added to the tension on site.It seems to leak from the walls like sweat.
Students hurry and skitter across campus rather than meandering and indulging in academic chat.
It has also made studying with Midnight difficult.Security doesn’t give a toss why you’re out late.They want you indoors in safety, and they’re happy to tell Chancellor Arcadius about anyone who disagrees.
“Good afternoon, Professor Corvine,” Thalia’s chirpy voice says as I stroll towards House Inferos.
Aurelia is with her.My eyes narrow as I study the pair, they’re awfully friendly.Midnight won’t like that, and I can’t say I’m a fan.Aurelia seems to sense she isn’t wanted and makes her excuses and heads inside House Inferos.
I give Thalia a hug.“For how dire things are on campus, that is a very perky attitude.”
“Oh, I don’t know.I feel like things are going my way at the moment.Got a few projects in the works I’m rather excited about.”
“Well, I’m glad someone is.”I smile and glance at House Inferos wondering if her mood is anything to do with Aurelia.
“You seem less perky,” she says.
I weigh up telling her.She’s my closest friend here, a mentor and someone who propelled my academic career.But things are odd at the moment.While there haven’t been any further break-ins, it does call into question who you can trust.
“Where do you sit with the Societas?”I ask, amazed that the words slip out.
