Page 34 of Architecti
“Detours are Veilwalkers.Only like the most coveted study programme here.Not everyone gets on, and they’re kind of considered the elite.You strike me as one of those lucky kids who will take to it like a reanimated fish in water.”She smiles and jerks her head at the pond.
“Kids?I’m probably going to be one of the oldest here.I’m twenty-nine…”
She huffs at me.“Please.You’re not the only one who struggled to get in.This was my seventh application.I’m twenty-eight.”
A current student in Finis uniform interrupts to hand us maps and papers and then saunters off to hand them to the other shuffling clusters of initiates.
I hold my hand out to Lex.“In that case, I’m formally adopting you as campus tour guide, seeing as you know way more than me, and I am alarmingly clueless.”
“Deal.”She shakes it.
I yank my hand out of her grip.“Easy there, soldier.Let’s not make any of those.I learned that lesson the hard way.”I flip my wrist over, showing her my brand.
“Oh, gosh.I’m so sorry,”
I figure if I’m adopting Lex as friend, then I should be upfront about who I am,whatI am.If she found out later and got all judgemental about it, I’d be gutted.
But before I can explain, a bell chimes out.
Its ding wraps around the cloisters.It buzzes in my bones, clatters my chest.
Rings again.
Again.
A ceaseless beat that grows harder and louder the longer it sings.
Ding.
Ding.
Ding.
Ding.
“Seven rings for seven devils,” Lex says.
“And what about the angels?”I whisper.
“There are no angels here,” a male voice says.“They abandoned us when Architecti was killed.That’s why half the city wants her back.”
I knew that, at least.It was the crux of my parents’ debates.The benefits and advantages of a city connected to the celestial realm.The balance it brought to magic, versus the law of demonic chaos and the creativity it produces.And then of course, they would meander off into whether or not chaotic magic could be controlled, and if it couldn’t, then what?And that was without the debate about what we do now we’ve lost access to the celestial realm and the political, societal and magical ramifications.There isn’t a soul in the city without an opinion on Architecti.
“Can I help you?”Lex interrupts my thoughts.
She’s just shirty enough to let this guy know we’re a twosome and no one else is welcome, without being overtly rude.
If I didn’t love her before, I definitely do now.
“Bastien Malcor,” he says and holds out his hand.
Lex merely looks at it like it’s an old festering sock.I have to bite the inside of my lip.
He’s blond and has the kind of refined white-boy bone structure only a model or jock could pull off.He’s handsome, a little effeminate, or maybe just comfortable in his skin.He wears tapered trousers, brogues and a blazer that looks like it should fit right in here, only no markings announce that it’s Finis Academy attire.
“Midnight.Nice to meet you, Bastien,” I say.
Lex pouts but decides to offer her hand.“Lex.”
