Chapter 31 #3
The closer we get, the more convinced I am that Asher’s theory is correct. My thread of ephemera leads me to what looks like a plain gray sedan. It gives off a faint hum of energy that must be the illusion cloaking it.
We stalk along the sidewalk outside the row of shops, peering into each. By the dingy window of the diner, I spot a familiar rosy-cheeked face in one of the booths and jolt to a halt.
Professor Jovak is sitting on the vinyl bench facing the front of the diner, his stout form partly obscured by the seat across from him.
I can’t see much of the figure opposite. Her back is to me, but over the top of the bench, I can make out sleek black hair strung with streaks of silver.
Just like the woman in Salvatore’s video.
My body goes rigid.
Asher shoots me a concerned look before resting a tentative hand on my shoulder. “Do you want to go in? We have to find out what they’re talking about, don’t we?”
I wet my lips, willing down the nausea that’s bubbled up.
My professor isn’t just looking to undermine me—he’s associating with someone who wants me outright dead.
Is Captain Ross in on the scheme too? Just how many people in my life are out to get me?
Dragging in a breath, I shake off the worst of my horror. “It’ll be hard to go inside unnoticed, even with the concealing spell. But I think I can…”
I reach into the ephemera around us again and weave it into a different sort of thread. A narrow channel that stretches from our ears through the vent of the diner’s wall-mounted air conditioner and on toward Jovak’s booth.
Uncle Nik taught me this technique, for the jobs when I needed to hear what was going on to time my glim properly. Is it fitting or ironic that I’m now using it to prevent my own assassination?
Voices filter through the funnel, distant and a little warbled but audible.
“…building up to an appropriate scenario. I don’t think it’ll be long now. We’ve laid the groundwork.”
That’s Professor Jovak.
The head opposite shifts, impatience carrying through her tone. “I don’t want you rushing things. There can’t be any suspicion.”
Jovak nods quickly. “Of course, of course. I’ve been following all your instructions.”
So, this woman has been directing him somehow? Just in the supplementary combat program or for longer?
I don’t even know what “scenario” and “groundwork” they’re talking about.
“Has there been any further interference at the sister school?” the woman asks.
A chill races through my veins. Is she asking about Other Elodie’s investigations at Beacon Prep?
“Not that I’m aware of.” Jovak raises a mug to his lips in a jerky movement. His mouth twists as if the drink was unpalatable. “Just how dangerous do you think she’d be if left to progress?”
The woman makes a flick of her hand that I catch the edge of. “Between the maternal and paternal backgrounds… The combination… It’s better not left to chance.”
I grimace. I don’t even know for sure that they’re talking about me.
There could be any number of other “she”s that this woman wants to murder.
I can’t see what about Mom’s background would give them any reason to think I’m dangerous, and Dad’s family is considered one of the most upstanding in the lucent community.
My frustration at their vagueness gets the better of me. I push a little more energy into my funnel, wanting to be sure I don’t miss a single word—and the woman’s head gives a slight tick.
“It should all be clear enough,” she says abruptly. “Remember that I’ll be keeping close tabs on your final efforts. I don’t want to have to intervene, but I will if you can’t deliver.”
Jovak flushes and stammers a reply. “Yes, right, of course, Gwyn.”
Gwyn. That’s her name?
But a first name, from the sound of it. Nothing we could easily trace.
The woman gets up without a single glance backward and stalks toward the back of the diner.
I swear under my breath. “I think she noticed my magic. If we can see where she goes—”
As I shift on my feet, Asher catches my arm. “Do you really think that’s a good idea? If she’s already realized someone’s spying on her… You said you didn’t want a fight today. It’s only the two of us.”
And we don’t know what that woman is capable of, beyond planning multiple assassination attempts. We have no clue what her glim is, what protective measures she might put in place…
My hands clench at my sides. “Let’s just… just see what we’d be working with.”
Asher nods, no further argument. There for me when I need him, like he always was.
As the ache squeezes my heart again, we dash together around the side of the long building.
By the time we skirt the businesses along the corner and come up on the smaller parking lot around back, there’s nothing to see except a handful of parked cars without drivers.
“She left before we could get to her.” I close my eyes against the disappointment, even though I’m not sure how far I would have chased her if I had the chance.
Asher squares his shoulders. “We’ll keep putting the pieces together. We know more than we did before.”
He glances back at the mall, his eyes darkening. “We know you’d better stay the hell away from Professor Jovak.”