Page 112 of Sonnets and Serpents
“This is exceedingly rare,” he went on. “It may be the first time while I’ve served over the university. But I had hoped, with the recent changes in your government, we might open a communication.”
How would he feel if he knew she’d been sneaking around his campus for weeks, chasing her own problems without ever worrying about the bigger picture between countries?
“What brings you here, Your Royal Highness?” Afshin asked.
“Actually, I’ve been here for ... a short while. Accompanying Silas Bennett. We happened to become entangled in recent events, and I’ve found information you need to know relating to the deaths of Iyal Havva and others.”
Clearly, Afshin hadn’t expected the conversation to turn this direction, so Eliza plowed on.
“Iyal Kerem is framing Yvette. Ceyda never offered a witness against her, and I’m certain he planted the research journal and forged the documents from the kuveti as well.”
Afshin struggled for composure. “You have an extensive knowledge of what’s happening at our university. These are ... serious accusations.”
Eliza frowned. “They’ve already been laid against Yvette. I’m only directing them at the right person.”
“What proof do you have to offer?”
“You can speak to Ceyda, for a start. She can tell you about the giant snake Kerem sent after her.”
Afshin tensed. His fingers tapped slowly against his knee, as if he were considering a variety of responses and trying to choose the right one.
“Ihavehad reason to consider a Snake Affiliate’s involvement in this matter,” he finally admitted.
Eliza’s flash of triumph died as quickly as it appeared. Because she heard his silent implication.Snake Affiliate.Not a name.
Sitting as tall as she could, she declared, “I can account for Silas Bennett’s whereabouts and actions every minute of the last weeks. While we were linked by a Cast, I was unable to go more than a few feet from him, and I would stake my own crown and reputation on his innocence. Any involvementhe may have suffered was a result of Kerem’s manipulations.Keremis the real snake.”
She felt Gill’s eyes on her, and she wondered what he was thinking about her involvement with Silas, but she kept her gaze facing resolutely forward.
Eventually, Afshin shook his head. The shadows beneath his eyes darkened, as if he was actively growing more tired.
“Ceyda Polat,” he said. “You claim she’s awake. I was told by our healers that she would not regain consciousness for days, that her odds of even surviving were quite low.”
Unable to help a touch of smugness, Eliza gestured to her side. “Well, I brought my own Fluid Caster, and he’s impressive enough to be a king.”
Gill gave her a flat stare for that, but she didn’t care.
“Come with us,” she insisted. “Speak to her yourself.”
Together with Afshin’s four guards, they made their way toward the healing hall. As they passed the third-floor landing,Eliza looked down the row of faculty offices. Kerem’s door was closed, with no sign of movement. She hesitated on the landing.
Was Silas there? Was Kerem?
Her feet took one step toward that office, longing to charge forward.
Afshin’s gaze weighed heavily on her.
“I’m worried Silas is in danger,” she said. “He’s Kerem’s research assistant, and he doesn’t know what the professor’s done.”
“Allegedly,” Afshin said with all that weight.
Somehow, Eliza stopped herself from running off in spite of him. She held her ground instead. “You arrested Yvette on allegations, but Kerem’s allowed to remain a potential danger to students on your campus?”
As she’d hoped, protection of his students was the correct appeal. With a nod, Afshin sent the guards to Kerem’s office.
It was empty.
Eliza’s dread doubled. What were the odds Kerem and Silas could both be missing and not together?
