Page 8 of Cast in Atonement

“Come on—you know as well as I do that the Barrani are the worst exemption exploiters.” Even in cases where the crimes involved other races, the caste court interfered: the suspected criminal wound up as a corpse, sometimes on the literal front steps of the Halls of Law.

“They are. It’s expected of my people; it’s the reason Barrani crimes are generally kept in check. Without the weight—and disapproval—of the caste court, the Barrani would feel far freer to act. We are a people who value power—and power must be visible to be acknowledged. Mortals are clearly less powerful; were it not for the Eternal Emperor, there would be far, far less safety from some of the Barrani than mortals currently enjoy.

“But in this case, a surprise exemption demand came from the human caste court.”

Kaylin frowned. In all of the years she had dogged Teela’s footsteps, there’d never been an exemption requested from the human caste court. “The Emperor accepted it?”

“He wrote the laws that were being invoked. Yes, he accepted it.”

Kaylin glanced at Tain; his face was a mask, his lips closed. He did shoot Teela a subtle glance, but she’d clearly decided to ignore the silent opinion. Kaylin had known them for almost half her life; she knew Tain didn’t want Teela to speak about this publicly. Or at least not to Kaylin.

“You think you’ve found someone who can stand against the exemption rules.”

“It’s a possibility.”

“I don’t disagree with your intentions—you know how much I hate exemption exceptions. But why are you pushing this when you never care about Barrani exemptions?”

Tain tapped Teela on the shoulder. “Not here,” he said, voice low. “Why don’t we go out for a drink?”

“Only if you two promise not to start a stupid brawl.” It had been a while since she’d gone out drinking with Teela and Tain. The last time, Bellusdeo had joined them. And Mandoran. “But maybe that might not be a terrible idea. Do you mind if I bring company?”

Teela shot Tain an almost venomous glare, which was unusual.

Tain ignored it. “As long as it’s the same company as last time.”

“You’re going to regret that,” Teela murmured, but as she exhaled, some of the tension left her shoulders. Until it did, Kaylin hadn’t realized how strong it had been. “Fine. Ask Bellusdeo, if that’s who you had in mind.”

“About that...” She glanced at Tain. “Has Teela informed you about the morning’s excitement here?”

“I inferred it, given her insistence that we visit Helen.”

Kaylin filled him in on what he’d missed.

She’d gotten to the halfway point when Bellusdeo strode into the dining room. Helen sometimes brought the parlor to life when Kaylin had guests, but Teela and Tain didn’t quite qualify. They therefore headed into the dining room, as it was the most common gathering spot in the house.

“We’ve permission to visit Lannagaros in the Academia,” Bellusdeo announced.

The gold Dragon was wearing the large plate scales that formed armor when a Dragon was otherwise naked.

Had Bellusdeo been alone, Kaylin would have felt less concerned. Bellusdeo did not arrive alone. Mrs. Erickson was in tow.

“You don’t plan on flying across the city—which is illegal—do you?” Kaylin asked, without much hope.

Bellusdeo grinned. Given the color of her eyes, no one voiced any further objections, but Bellusdeo grudgingly added, “Mrs. Erickson seemed quite intrigued at the idea of flying on Dragon back. Stop it. You’ll make Mrs. Erickson feel guilty. The Arkon gained permission for the flight.”

Hope squawked loudly.

Bellusdeo frowned, and glanced at Helen, not Kaylin.

“It’s true, dear,” Helen said—to the Dragon. Although her voice was soft, it could be heard clearly over Hope’s continued squawking. “Your ghosts are not the only ghosts Mrs. Erickson is seeking to comfort, and the other ghosts have already proven dangerous. I am not certain why you wish to visit the Academia immediately—you seemed somewhat opposed to it this morning.”

Because Sanabalis had suggested it, of course.

Mrs. Erickson coughed. It was her way of interrupting. “If possible, I wish to learn more about my abilities—as quickly as possible. Bellusdeo agrees and has offered to escort me.”

Hope squawked in obvious disgust and pushed himself off Kaylin’s shoulder, heading up the stairs the Dragon had only half descended.

“He is going to remain near the other ghosts,” Helen said. “He feels you will not be at risk at the Academia.”

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