Page 141 of This Monster of Mine

“Here. I’ll come back for that. And then you’ll know it’s me.”

“Sarai!” Cisuré’s eyes were huge. “I don’t understand. How are you here?”

“There’s a tunnel that avoids the Tower Gates!” Sarai smiled ear to ear. “A man I met told me of it. You said you lived in Lisran Tower, remember?”

“By Wisdom, what sort of strange men have you been meeting?” Cisuré laughed, but there was an odd strain to her eyes. “Why did you come?”

Sarai faltered. “I sent you a letter two months ago.” At Cisuré’s baffled expression, she swallowed. “That I was coming?”

“Oh,that. I didn’t think you’d—” Cisuré broke off. “I’ve only been here five months, things have been so busy … I’m so sorry, I meant to reply. Where are you staying?”

“Well … can I stay with you for a few days while I get an appointment to challenge the exams?” Sarai rushed on as Cisuré tensed. “Just to rest and bathe. Even just bathe. I’ll leave for the rest of the day. I know it’s an imposition, but these magi are prejudiced, and maybe if I’m well groomed, they’ll think better of me?”

“But you’ll have to wait months! It isn’t easy to get an audience with the instructors.”

Months?Her heart dropped. “I thought you said that it was only a few days’ wait.”

“That was—” Cisuré twisted the fabric of her robes.“They changed it soon after I arrived. It’s a lengthy process now, and I can’t hide you for that long!”

Shame sunk beneath Sarai’s skin. The sole denarius left of her savings seemed to burn through her pocket. She shouldn’t have spent so much on those writing supplies. She swallowed.There’ll be a tavern that needs help. She’d think about it after she left.

“I’m sorry. I didn’t mean to trouble you.” Her voice was a sliver of sound. “I’ll go.”

Cisuré sighed. “Didn’t you research this before coming here?”

“I just believed you.” Sarai didn’t mean for the reply be so caustic, but the other girl flinched, staring at the ground for a long moment before taking Sarai’s hand.

“There’s a party tonight. A number of influential people will be there, including Head Tetrarch Aelius. If we tidy you up in time, I can bring you as a trader’s daughter. That might be enough to get the process going faster. They could even test you then and there.”

Glorious relief swept over her. She decided not to mention that she’d seen Aelius earlier with Iudex Kadra. “I’ll do anything. I won’t let you down.”

“I know.” Cisuré’s smile was finally genuine. “Tetrarch Aelius is an exceptional man. He’s the Magus Supreme, too, you know, Head of the Academiae. He’ll be fair with you.” She looked Sarai up and down, grimacing at her travel-worn tunic. “Now, let’s get you dressed up.”

“A hidden room?” Sarai gaped as Cisuré removed the portrait to reveal the door set in the wall.

“You’re a trader’s daughter tonight,” the other girl reminded her. “Don’t stare all wide-eyed and unsophisticated.”

Sarai nodded, feeling opulent in the navy robes Cisuré had lent her with her hair braided in an intricate knot.

Cisuré pushed the door open, and a glittering new world unfurled ahead. She stepped into a brightly lit ballroom with frescoes tiling the walls, sweeping up to the cavernous ceiling. Jewels dripped from the party’s wealthy attendees, winking from ears, necks, and rings. Platters of meat occupied a long table at the center of the room, people popping a few morsels into their mouths as they sized up their peers.

“That’s Tetrarch Tullus.” Cisuré tilted her head toward a stately man in indigo and navy robes. “I’ll introduce you. Tetrarch Aelius is occupied.”

Sarai was impressed. “How do you know him?”

The other girl flushed. “Well, Tetrarch Aelius noticed me when I attended the Grand Elsarian Temple for worship. He’s a great leader, you know. Kind, and caring”—she turned red—“and he practices what he preaches. This is a real honor. You’re meeting the most powerful people in all Ur Dinyé, so don’t embarrass me.”

“I won’t. I promise.” Sarai put on a glowing smile as Tullus approached.

Cisuré bowed low. “Tetrarch Tullus, if you’ll please forgive the intrusion, this is my friend. She’s a trader’s daughter come to challenge the exams. I believe she could be extremely helpful to you. She’s brilliant at healing.”

“Well then.” Tullus looked fascinated. “What are you called?”

“Sarai,” she said, bowing until she nearly split in two. “I’m so honored to meet you, Tetrarch Tullus.”

“Talent is always worth nurturing, Sera.” She almost corrected him but Cisuré shook her head slightly. He turned to Cisuré. “Why don’t you take a turn about the room? I’ll take care of your friend.”

Cisuré beamed. “Tibi gratias ago, Tetrarch Tullus.”

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