Page 38 of The Art of Exiley

Kor’s never heard of them, and he tells me that finding out the extent of the Maker world should be a top priority.

I describe my apprentice classes. He’s very interested in my Ha’i class and has me show him how to make shiin. He reminds me how important it is that I master my Sire abilities and encourages me to do whatever it takes to improve more quickly.

I go on to tell him how I need to prepare to get admitted to a guild, andI use my notes from my meeting with Michael to give Kor a rundown of all the guilds.

“Apparently I’m going to have to write and perform a song,” I say. “I might need your help with that.”

Kor brushes this off. “Just don’t get distracted fiddling around. Which of the guilds do you think is most likely to know about the use of Sire abilities by non-Sires?” I have no idea where to start in looking for this supposed innovation that allows non-Sires to generate Ha’i.

“Maybe Bioscience?” I suggest. “Since they focus the most on healing compared to the others? I met a Bioscience master that I can try to ask about it.” I think of the kind redhead, Kaylie, who vaccinated me. She’d explained that they’ve eradicated a lot of illnesses here, including the common cold, the flu, and STDs. It had brought my attention to Bioscience as a guild that might be able to help Grandfather.

“Okay, then focus on impressing the Bioscience guild.” Kor’s eyes gleam as he types notes.

Yeah, it makes sense for me to aim for Bioscience. I’d been momentarily excited about the art and botany that Michael had discussed with me, but Kor’s right. That’s not why I’m here.

“I took some photos and video today that I’ll share when I can,” I say. I’ll have to figure out if it’s safe to upload to Georgie’s computer without her noticing anything fishy about my files. “And I’m pretty sure I learned where the written documentation of all of the Maker innovations are kept, though I don’t have access to it yet.”

This had been an exciting revelation in my Testaments class. I explain to Kor how we’d learned about the Guild Testaments—the most venerated of all the Testaments. They transcribe each guild’s innovations and discoveries, but each Guild Testament can only be viewed by members of that guild, and they’re kept in a highly guarded part of the library.

“So you’ll be able to access these documents once you’re in a guild?”

“I’ll technically only be able to see my own guild’s Testaments, but once I have access to that part of the library, I can see what else I can find.”

“Very good. So getting into a guild should definitely be your main focus. Try to make it the Bio one. It sounds like these Testaments may be a shortcut to a lot of what we need all at once. I’ll pass all of this on, and I’ll find out if the Inner Chamber or the Oculus have further instructions for you.” He gives me one of his soulful looks. “Ada, this is an amazing start. You’re doing so well.”

I end the call with renewed vigor. We’d never circled back to my concerns. I’d never even told Kor about what happened with the guards. But I’ve always craved Kor’s praise like a flower to the sun, and his clear approval of what I’ve accomplished so far has me positively photosynthesizing.

Kor will tell the Families I’m succeeding at my mission, and I know what I need to focus on. Finding out more about the locations and extent of the Maker world, learning how to utilize my Sire abilities, and getting into a guild so that I can access the Guild Testaments are all things that can be done without any high-risk activities. Even if I have to bury my phone back in tamponland and never snoop through another office, I can still be of use.

I can do this.

10

Genesis certainly has the most utopian school cafeteria I’ve ever seen. Everyone eats slowly and with intention, and the food is fresh and has more color and flavor than the same things back home. I mean, there’s still a cliquey popular table (three guesses as to who’s sitting there), but that’s made up for by the generally good vibe of the room, not to mention the impromptu string quartet currently playing Brahms.

Hypatia joined me and Georgie at our table. She looks exhausted; she’s paler than she was during Ha’i class this morning, and she hardly touches her food. I’m also not feeling my best. Despite my call with Kor yesterday, I’m still on edge about the Guard. But not being alone and eating a good lunch is certainly helping.

As I indulge in freshly baked herb bread spread with garlic maple butter and a savory nut pâté, Georgie and Hypatia find common ground discussing a topic that has them both very excited—hoverjousting.

Hypatia says to Georgie, “I hope you don’t have any delusions that the Artisans will rank in the tournament. Your guild’s team is abysmal.”

Georgie sighs. “Yeah, they really are.”

As their conversation progresses, I gather that a hoverjoust is exactlywhat it sounds like, a joust—like the ones on horseback at the Renaissance faire—but on hoverboards. The players rush toward each other with lances raised and try to hit their opponent’s shield or, even better, knock them off their hover. It sounds awesome, and Hypatia insists that she and Georgie will teach me how to play after classes today.

Their discussion turns to arguing over whether the Ciphers or Bios will win first place in the tournament this year.

Georgie excitedly says, “The title will go to the Ciphers for sure. Having Hera as captain has transformed their team, and she’s undefeated.”

Hypatia is just as excited, the conversation pulling her out of her lethargy. “Maybe before Rafe joined the Bios, but he’s also undefeated, and Hera has the tendency to—”

Georgie interrupts. “Don’t say anything negative about Hera Earhart in my presence.” She looks wistfully over at a table where two Black girls are sitting. I assume one of them must be Hera. “She is possibly my future wife, and she’ll eat that arrogant pretty boy alive.”

Hypatia giggles. “That’s an accurate description of my cousin.”

My head snaps up at that. “He’s your cousin?”

“Speak of the literal devil,” Georgie says.

---