Page 52 of Cast in Atonement

Kaylin had no idea who her own father was. Fathers hadn’t figured prominently in her life, except in one way: they were a source of envy. Maybe not all fathers were worthy of envy.

“You did well,” the chancellor said.

Bellusdeo didn’t answer. Instead, she turned to Kaylin. “He’s talking about you.”

What? “Me?”

“Yes. I realize I very seldom offer praise, but you did well. The Arbiters are intimidating, powerful presences; if you are standing in their library, you are at their mercy. The rules that govern the Academia do not govern the library. When the Arbiters close their library for research purposes, it is rumored to become a very, very odd place—a place that can be inimical for the survival of anyone who is not an Arbiter or a book.

“But I have never seen that expression on Arbiter Androsse’s face before. If he were like Starrante, he might be moved to leave the seat of his power. You unsettled him. You unsettled all of us,” he added, “but Arbiter Androsse has no experience with the chaos that is a constant presence where you are involved.

“I am uncertain how we should proceed from here.”

“You don’t have to proceed,” Bellusdeo said, in Elantran. “This isn’t your problem. It’s ours.”

Ours. Meaning hers and Kaylin’s. Kaylin, who was mortal, and wasn’t nearly as learned, as wise, or as powerful as Lannagaros. Or Bellusdeo.

“Evanton wants to visit us at home. By us, I mean Mrs. Erickson.”

“Now?”

“Tomorrow.” Or later, if she was lucky.

“Corporal.”

“She’s a really nice, really gentle old lady. I don’t want her to be thrown into the deep end. I want her to spend time with Helen, to bake, maybe figure out what she wants to do when the dead aren’t—” She stopped the rest of the words from falling out of her mouth, because Bellusdeo was listening.

“Perhaps,” the chancellor said, “you might ask Mrs. Erickson what she herself wishes. There are too many things entwined with Mrs. Erickson at the moment.”

“It’s not her fault.”

“No; I believe it is probably—somehow—yours. You have not been keeping up with magic lessons—”

“It wasn’t my fault this time! You saddled Sanabalis with the position of Arkon! He’s been busy!”

“I suggest you attempt to be more flexible and accommodating. There are other alternatives to his lessons, and you do not wish the Emperor to decide that your ability to understand and harness the power of your marks is of far more relevance to the safety of his Empire than fulfilling your duties as a Hawk.”

Aside from the one moment in the meeting with the Arbiters, Hope remained draped across Kaylin’s shoulders for the entire day. Bellusdeo offered to fly Kaylin home; it was late when they emerged from the library. Since the gold Dragon’s version of offer was essentially command, Kaylin accepted.

It was far too late for dinner. Even if it hadn’t been, Bellusdeo was not in the mood for more conversation; she dropped Kaylin off in Helen’s landing tower, and headed to her own Tower.

“Is Mrs. Erickson sleeping?” Kaylin asked, as she headed for the stairs.

“She is. Her ghosts seem to be quiet as well. How was the Academia visit?”

Kaylin grimaced. “I don’t even want to think about it tonight.”

“That’s good, dear.”

Kaylin slowed her usual rapid descent of the stairs. “What’s happened? Did the midwives’ guild mirror?”

“Ah, no.” After a brief pause, Helen said, “But you do have a guest, if you feel you are up to a visit.”

“If it’s Evanton, I’ll see him.”

“It isn’t, but he did get in contact with me. I took the liberty of asking Mrs. Erickson if she would like to meet him.”

“Did you explain his day job?”

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