Chapter 14 #2
“Precisely our thoughts.” Ormond leaned forward, lowering his voice. “Which brings us to why we’re here. Have you ever heard of the Custodes Sanguinis?”
My heart quickened its pace. Everyone at the academy had heard whispers of a secret society.
But was I supposed to admit it?
“I may have heard rumors,” I replied cautiously.
Ormond’s smile widened. “The Custodes watch the first-years, then decide who among the second-years is worthy to join our mission to secure our noble bloodlines. And you, Lord Lukhan, have caught our attention.”
“I’m flattered,” I managed, hoping my face betrayed nothing of the sudden panic blooming in my chest. My bloodlines were anything but pure.
“Don’t be flattered yet,” Montplaisir said with a sneer. “First, you must prove yourself truly worthy to become one of us.”
Ormond nodded, twisting his silver ring around his finger. “The Custodes have maintained order at this academy for generations. When His Imperial Majesty’s late father foolishly opened our hallowed halls to commoner rabble, we became more important than ever.”
“The current situation is intolerable,” Montplaisir added. “Watching these peasants strut about as though they belong here. They act as if they believe themselves our equals.”
“And now they’re organizing,” Ormond added darkly. “With this ‘Circle of the Open Hand’ nonsense. Led by that merchant’s son, Ferraro, and that Western Isles trollop.”
I nodded, feeling a surge of hope. “Talisa of Bernswick,” I said eagerly. “She’s the ringleader. I just know she was behind yesterday’s antics in the dining hall.”
“Indeed.” Ormond smiled. “Which means, if we don’t put her in her place now, she’ll become an even bigger problem.”
“The Custodes have proven methods for restoring proper order,” Montplaisir explained. “Making an example of a troublesome commoner can work wonders. Or better yet—” His voice dropped to a whisper. “Exposing someone with polluted bloodlines to the authorities.”
A cold sweat broke out across my back. I fought the urge to squirm.
“Does this Talisa have Fae or fish-man blood, I wonder? Everyone says the islands were rife with unnatural matings before the Supernatural Relations Act passed,” Ormond continued, mercifully oblivious to my discomfort.
“Nothing sets an example like watching an impure student dragged away by imperial guards.” He sighed and added, “It rarely comes to that, of course. Usually, the threat alone is sufficient.”
I swallowed hard, forcing a smile that I hoped appeared eager rather than terrified. “And you believe I could help with this?”
“We know you can,” Ormond said, his eyes gleaming with certainty. “You’re exactly the sort of person the Custodes need. Powerful magic, noble birth, proper understanding of tradition.”
Noble birth. Proper understanding. Each phrase was a dagger sliding between my ribs.
“Of course,” I heard myself saying, “I would be honored to join your ranks.”
How could I refuse?
“Excellent,” Montplaisir grinned at me. “We’ll be in touch about your initiation task.”
“In the meantime,” Ormond added, standing, “continue your work with the islander girl and her followers. Show them exactly why commoners were never meant to walk these halls.”
They departed with knowing smiles. I waited until they had disappeared through the library’s massive bronze doors before allowing my posture to slump slightly.
I, Lukhan FitzMurad, half-Fae bastard son of a disgraced Imperial Councilor, had just been invited to join a society dedicated to exposing and humiliating those with “polluted bloodlines.”
Panic choked me. What have I gotten myself into? What if someone in the Custodes hears the rumors about Father and his Fae lover?
They don’t know. And they won’t find out. I’ll make sure of it. I took a deep breath and forced myself to straighten my shoulders once more. This is an opportunity, not a threat.
Joining the Custodes Sanguinis would place me above suspicion and cement my position among the academy’s elite. And with their help, I could crush Miss Fishwife and her band of commoner rabble once and for all.
I rose and left the library with renewed purpose.
Anticipation thrummed through my veins as I knocked on the door to Damien’s suite and entered.
I found him hunched over his desk, working on his essay for our History of Magecraft and the Dominion II class.
Damien didn’t look up as I entered, his pen scratching steadily across the paper. His gray eyes narrowed in concentration as he consulted an open book beside him.
“You’ll never believe who just approached me in the library,” I announced, dropping into his armchair.
He glanced up, blinking as though emerging from a trance. “Hmm?”
“Ormond and Montplaisir.” I leaned forward. “Wearing matching rings. Thorny vines set with garnets.”
Interest flickered in Damien’s eyes, and he set down his pen. “And?”
“Those rumors about a secret society here at the academy? They’re true, and they’ve been watching me. They told me they’re impressed with how I’ve been handling Miss Fishwife and her peasant brigade.”
Damien’s expression didn’t mirror my excitement. Instead, a small frown creased his forehead. “I see. And what did they want?”
He knows about them? And didn’t tell me? I felt a tiny sting of betrayal.
“What do you think they wanted?” I waved a dismissive hand. “They’re recruiting. And they want me, Damien.”
“And you told them…?” His voice carried an odd note of restraint.
“Of course I said yes!” I frowned, studying his face. This wasn’t the reaction I’d expected. “This is our chance to truly establish ourselves here. To make connections that will serve us for life.”
“I wasn’t invited.” Damien pushed aside his essay and leaned back in his chair. “Lukhan, joining the Custodes sounds like a terrible idea. They’re dangerous. Especially for someone like you.”
Reawakened panic twisted in my stomach like an icy snake as he echoed my earlier thoughts. I tried to ignore it.
I crossed my arms. “Miss Fishwife and her friends humiliated us in front of the entire dining hall yesterday. They’re challenging the natural order of our society. And you want me to turn down their help to put those first-years back in their place?”
Damien’s eyebrows rose. “This is a bad idea,” he reiterated. “And you know it, too.” He pushed back his chair and stood abruptly, gathering his books and papers. “My father says you should never make important decisions when you’re scared, or you’ll let fear drive you into a poor decision.”
“I’m not scared,” I lied. “I’m protecting myself.”
“By joining a group that exists to expose people exactly like you?” Damien shook his head, genuine concern in his eyes. “Lukhan, think about what you’re doing.”
His pity was worse than his disapproval. I straightened my spine, letting ice fill my voice. “I know exactly what I’m doing. The question is whether you’ll stand with me as you always have, or if you’ve become as weak and foolish as those commoners you suddenly seem so concerned about.”
Damien stared at me for a long moment, then shook his head. “I’m going to the library. See you at supper.”
He turned and walked out of the room, his broad back straight and unyielding. I followed him out, my hands clenched into fists at my sides, nails biting into my palms.
I told myself I didn’t need Damien’s approval or his help. I had the Custodes on my side now. They were powerful allies who would help me secure my position and crush Miss Fishwife’s threat.
And if Damien couldn’t understand that, perhaps he wasn’t the friend I’d thought him to be.
As I headed to my suite, I tried to ignore the apprehension churning in my gut. If Damien thinks joining the Custodes was a bad idea, then it probably is.
But I couldn’t back down now. Not after I’d said yes to Ormond and Montplaisir.
And I had to destroy Talisa of Bernswick before she destroyed me.