Chapter 24
After a delicious dinner, stuffing myself so full I can barely walk, I’m ready to pass out in my own bed.
Then I meet Cinder’s glowing amber eyes as he leans against the bracketing of the dining hall doorframe. His broody face reminds me of the unfortunate meeting I have with the Chancellor. I suddenly regret eating so much as my stomach plummets thinking about Thorne Ashfel.
Electricity spikes the air behind me, telling me S?las is looming. There’s clearly some exchange I miss because Cinder nods to the male over my shoulder, and then his shadowy company drifts away.
“Make sure your mental shields are high. And please, for the love of the Celestials, watch your tongue. He barely believes our story, and even I can’t save you if you piss him off.” Cinder’s voice is deep and gritted with charcoal, amber eyes flaring bright with warning.
Silently nodding, I follow him. His orange hair rustles like fall leaves as he heads out of the dining hall. My eyes roll. I can hold my tongue… Most of the time, I smirk to myself.
We arrive at two gothic cathedral-like doors. Instead of gold, like most of the entrances here, these are carved into onyx stone. Their color is out of place, casting the entrance in a menacing facade.
Without even a knock, the doors groan open to looming vaulted ceilings, creating the ambiance of what I imagine a haunted castle would feel like.
The air is thick with the smell of ancient texts and ink.
Crimson rugs pool over the white marble floors.
A tall spire pins the corner, brimming with books.
In fact, all the walls are lined with tomes.
Perhaps he was a Savant before becoming Chancellor.
The pathway is lined with dark stone carvings of various species of gargoyles, believed to reside in Emberhell. How fitting. Two chairs, trimmed in deep purple, cower before an oversized mahogany desk, carved with an array of haunting creatures.
“Please. Sit. I have been waiting patiently for your recovery.”
His icy tone prickles a shiver to crawl down my spine like a spider has caught me in its web.
Light purple eyes level a chilling glare at Cinder.
He’s clearly unhappy at his presence but refuses to tell him to leave.
Cinder must have some status I’m ignorant of.
We take our seats as the Chancellor’s pale hand smooths his slicked-back, long white hair.
“Do enlighten me on what you could have possibly eaten to put you out of training for three whole days? Dare I say, you look awfully pale for a stomach bug. Are you sure you’re not mistaken about what ailed you?
Perhaps it was a blood-sucking monster instead?
” He’s amused at himself, obviously not buying the excuse.
He stands up, circling us like a vulture ready to devour his carrion prize.
“One of the other ensigns clearly tried to poison her. Just some hazing for her being a showoff at the trials is all,” Cinder deflects, his mask of nonchalance perfect as always.
“I wasn’t speaking to you, Ignis. I know this one can speak. I hear she has a rather sharp tongue at that. If it was simply a poison, why not go to the infirmary for an antidote to be healed?”
I maintain a steely expression. “I’m not a coward, unlike some of the other ensigns in our class. I would not show weakness, requiring healing in the infirmary. I made my own antidote and suffered the consequences of my foolish mistake of not smelling the poison on my food in the first place.”
“A foolish mistake indeed, especially when you have two species who can smell better than Elarians in your Zenith. I imagine you will tell me that, coincidentally, neither Kissa nor Eko were present for that specific meal? Now, I would like the cowards among your rank of which you speak. They must be rooted out.”
Ritherin-shit, he’s already caught me in one lie. He’s right, Eko and Kissa would have been able to smell poison on my food. I have to be careful about my next words.
“Why waste your precious time, Chancellor? You have designed the curriculum of Gildorea Universitás well; they will meet failure soon enough. If not, surely the Fortress Battle will make quick work of them.” I smile sweetly, despite how foreign it feels on my face.
“Perhaps.” He pauses right next to me, pinning me under his frosty gaze.
“Please do be careful, Savaé. I have so much more in store for you. I’d hate for your foolishness—or someone else’s—to rob me of your presence.
” He spits my name like it’s poison on his tongue.
I don’t even try to unpack his noxious words, twisting at my gut and begging me to run.
Cinder stands and bows. I follow his lead, and then we turn to leave.
“I’d make sure those legs of yours have extra armor next time I see you.” His words slither from the serpentine smile curling on his face as the doors hiss shut. I swear, that smile will haunt my nightmares.
“He fucking knows, Cinder,” I growl when we’re far enough down the hallway.
“He doesn’t know shit. Calm down. You’re wearing new pants, and they are covered in custom runes that signal protection.
It’s clear we’re trying to protect you from something.
And you were really pushing your luck with that coward comment.
We’re fortunate he didn’t pressure us for names.
You know, for someone who was clever enough to pass the entrance exam, it’s amazing how stupid you can be. ”
“We all have our flaws.” I laugh dryly. He isn’t wrong; I’m exceptionally good at screwing myself over. Maybe that’s my Celestial Gift?
As we make our way up the winding gold steps to my room, the hairs on my neck sway. I twist, peering over my shoulder across the corridor, but if he’s there, he isn’t planning on being seen.
I spin forward to see Fenwick and Juniper’s faces painted with huge grins.
“Why don’t we have a slumber party!?” Fenwick cheers, and Juniper nods excitedly, flower petals cascading from her forest green hair.
Then they grasp hands, leaping into a swirling circle of dancing mirth.
Their endless energy and chipper demeanor never seem to wane.
Juniper stumbles, and Fenwick catches her with her light magic as they continue to prance.
Cinder runs his pale, freckled hand down his face, eyes flaring neon yellow. “Absolutely not. She needs her rest and won’t get any with you two yapping away like night goblins.”
They both sigh in disappointment.
Cinder rolls his eyes and continues, “Just stay on alert. Gearin and S?las did some combination magic on your door, combining runes and shadow magic. Now, only you can enter your room, unless you invite someone in. The magic will sense if you’re under duress and blast the person trying to threaten you.
” He points to his ring finger and taps on the door, twice.
“Tap just like I did, and it will allow you to hear and see what’s going on outside your door.
The people outside the door will be none the wiser.
If you tap on it three times with your ring finger, the entirety of Zenith Wing will receive an alert only we can see and hear.
So, if those fuckers show up outside your door trying to ambush you, you better tap three times.
Because if they don’t kill you, I will,” he finishes, mumbling a slew of curses under his breath.
“Yikes. Okay, Cinder, message received.” I loosen the collar around my neck. His anger raised the temperature a few degrees. I muster a genuine smile as I continue, “And thank you for everything. It really means more than you know, being with me to face the Chancellor.”
“Don’t mention it. I’ve known him for a long time. He doesn’t scare me anymore.” He throws me a slight wave as he starts down the stairs. I wonder what in life led to him growing up around the Chancellor. I do remember Kissa saying he’s one of the few of us not raised by the Maidens.
“Thanks, gals, but I’m going to go to sleep. I’m exhausted,” I say to Juniper and Fenwick, who are back to dancing.
They pause, frowning with puppy-dog eyes, as if their expressions can change my mind.
Fenwick sighs. “Aw, shucks. Well, we’ll see you in the morning. Extra early to take you to the bathing chambers and then breakfast.”
Juniper tsks her ashen finger at me. “Don’t you dare think about leaving without us. If you wake up before us, we’re just a knock away.”
I nod, and we all head for our doors. I hear Juniper and Fenwick giggling about if they think I’ll let them braid my hair up in flowers. I laugh, opening my door.
The powerful magic brushes over my skin as I walk through. The velvety shadows of S?las’ magic ignite the blaze in my veins. Another nick at the wound as my body betrays me.
I’m too exhausted to fight the ache for his dominating presence on top of me, his weight pressing in against my body.
I wish there weren’t emotions simmering below the surface for both us, that all this could just be fucked away and forgotten.
Then I wouldn’t have this gaping wound from him leaving me like he did.
Too bad there’s just enough light left in my soul that I couldn’t kill him in the Combat Arena.
Things would certainly be less messy. And I wouldn’t be left with this icicle storm prickling my chest without an end in sight.
Thankfully, those thoughts are interrupted by Pip scurrying off my arm—going straight to the door, which is odd.
He never asks me to go outside. I never even bothered to think about how he relieves himself before now, in fact.
I pace to the door and tap on it twice as Cinder instructed, using my ring finger.
Before my eyes, the door becomes a see-through shadow, allowing me to make out a chaotic shape leaning against the wall. S?las helped imbue the door, so there’s no doubt he knows I can see him standing there. His raven hair has morphed into pure shadows above solid-white, moonlight eyes.