Page 64 of Cast in Atonement

Kaylin had her own mirror, which meant the message had come from some variant of on high.

“Lord Lannagaros has requested your presence at the Academia.” Which would explain Marcus’s mood. He had never been happy at interference from the Dragon Court.

“Did he say it was an emergency?”

“He has indicated that while it is not a matter that directly requires active duty at this time, it might become one. He did not speak as the chancellor of his fancy school; he spoke as a Lord of the Dragon Court. Unless and until it is considered of import to the Halls, you will visit his school on your own time.”

“I can’t go tonight. I have an appointment I can’t miss after dinner.”

“Not our problem.”

“Yes, sir.”

“I expect not to hear from the Academia in future unless there is a need for intervention from the Halls of Law. Am I clear?”

“Yes, sir. Permission to speak?”

“Lack of permission has never stopped you.”

“Please inform the Arkon that my visit will be delayed tonight at the request of the Keeper. He’ll understand what it means.”

She understood why the former Arkon was worried. She truly did. But did he really need an intermediary when he was dealing with Bellusdeo? Bellusdeo liked him, trusted him, and listened to him as much as she was willing to listen to anyone. Kaylin wasn’t an expert in anything; the librarians were far, far more learned. He probably just needed someone to absorb grouchiness because he never snapped at Bellusdeo.

Severn chose to accompany her home.

“Do you think something’s going to go wrong?”

He glanced at her. “You’re taking Mrs. Erickson, with the Keeper, to her former home. I’m certain Evanton wants to examine Azoria’s mansion. What could possibly go wrong?”

Kaylin grimaced but accepted this. “Terrano and Serralyn are coming as well. And Bellusdeo.”

You’re worried that Terrano will be the usual agent of chaos. And Bellusdeo is not quite herself.

Kaylin shrugged. It was true. “We could ask Terrano to stay home, but he wouldn’t do it, and we’d just end up with even more of the cohort joining us. Mrs. Erickson does seem to like them, and when they interact with her, they’ve been good, but I’m not sure Evanton won’t object. If it were up to Evanton, no one but he and Mrs. Erickson would be going.”

“And you.”

“He’s not certain Mrs. Erickson would be comfortable on her own. He wouldn’t want me, otherwise. He thinks I’m like Terrano.”

“No comment.”

“You’re coming, too, right?”

“I’m your partner.”

“We’re not going as Hawks.”

“I’m your partner,” he repeated.

Evanton was punctual. Mrs. Erickson and Bellusdeo were not. They did come down for dinner, but on the late side, and both were silent. Bellusdeo was copper-eyed; she took the chair next to Mrs. Erickson, who looked at her with open sympathy—something Kaylin wouldn’t have dared.

Evanton didn’t join them for dinner. He waited in the parlor, with Helen.

Terrano did join them; Serralyn sat beside her cohort member, her eyes the blue of worry as she gazed at Mrs. Erickson and Bellusdeo.

It was a really silent dinner, the awkward kind of silence where everyone trapped in it is trying to think of something—anything—to say that won’t make things worse. Kaylin hated it. She hated feeling useless. Her friend was clearly in pain, given the color of her eyes, and she should be able to do something. But making a joke to lighten the mood? No—that would probably be seen as not caring. Saying anything sympathetic when there was nothing practical she could do? Not helpful. Saying anything seemed so fraught; saying nothing made her feel helpless.

Mrs. Erickson didn’t say anything, either. Maybe she’d done all her talking during the day, while Kaylin had been scowling at Margot’s storefront on Elani street. Maybe her presence, the fact that she was the link between the dead and the living, was all of the comfort required.

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