Page 140 of This Monster of Mine

“I know, but I’ve nothing else to hope for.”

He paused. “You don’t sound afraid.”

“Gods, I’m terrified,” she admitted. “But I can do this. I’ve trained myself for years. Which brings me to why I was … listening. I would like your help,”she said politely. “I can’t figure out how to get into the Academiae. Is it true that only students are allowed in?”

He looked bemused. “Why sneak in?”

“I don’t have anywhere to stay until the exams begin.”

“You won’t find anywhere to stay in the Academiae either.”

“I’ve a friend there. We grew up together. She’ll let me stay with her.”

He thought for a moment and nodded. “I’ll help you.”

Excitement shot through her. She paused. “Why?”

“So suspicion rears its head now?”

“Talking is one thing. Helping is another.”

“And if I’ve a favor I require in return?”

As long as it isn’t anything physical. She nodded, hesitant. “Then you have a bargain. How do I get inside?”

“Don’t take any of the gates. The magi will refuse you entrance. There’s a dirt road between Lisran Tower and Aoran Tower going down the citadel. Follow it to a trapdoor within an alley. Hardly anyone knows of it, and it leads to a tunnel underneath the gates and into the Academiae. It’ll be difficult,” he warned her. “It’s pitch black in there, but you’ll evade the vigiles.”

“Hold on a moment.” She rummaged in her worn satchel, pulling out a reed pen, ink, and a roll of parchment to record his directions.

Kadra’s brow furrowed. “Don’t.” He placed a hand on her arm. “There’s no need to waste your supplies.”

Pulling out a warped metal ink pen and a crumpled bit of parchment from his saddlebag, he wrote out his instructions. “Dirt road. Tunnel,” he repeated. “There are seventeen steps to the bottom. The ground will slope up as you get close, and you’ll reach a staircase. Seventeen steps to the top. Open the door and you’ll be inside a broom closet within Sidran Tower.”

“Really?” She beamed.

He smiled faintly. “Really.”

“Thank you!” She took the parchment from him reverently. “Gods, thank you! And what would you want from me in return?”

He was silent.

She sighed. “I’ve heard it all, really. Tell me.”

Kadra studied her. “Only this. No matter what the other students do to you, hold on. Understood?”

She stilled as the request registered.

“I asked if you understand me.”

Blinking away tears, she nodded. “I do.”

“Good.” He mounted his horse, looking for all the world like a Tetrarch. Powerful, unyielding. Perhaps someday, she could aspire to such a position.

“Wait! Sir.” She grasped his reins. “When I complete my training, in a few years, do you suppose I could thank you?”

A smile lifted his lips, almost making him look human. “I suppose.”

Wisdom and Radiance, she didn’t have a single token to give him. Inspiration struck, and she pulled the ribbon from her hair.

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