Page 169 of Unbound

"I'll be direct," Voss says, folding his hands before him. "I know more about the siphon situation than I've previously shared. I believe there could be more than one siphon within Confluence's walls. How many, though, I can't say for certain."

"And you're just now telling us this?" Raith's voice is dangerously quiet.

Voss raises an eyebrow. "I am telling you now, as a courtesy. There was no need for you to know before."

"No need—" Raith begins, but I place a hand on his arm, stopping him.

"Why tell us at all?" I ask. "Why not the Empire Council? Or the instructors? Why us specifically?"

Voss studies me, his expression impossible to decipher. "Whoever else knows is irrelevant. I’m sharing this now because I believe you, Miss Thorne, could be the reason they're here."

The words land like ice in my veins. "No. It said it was only using me as bait to get to Raith."

"I didn't say they wanted you dead. You represent both a threat and an opportunity to them. They serve a master, one who has been hunting unbound for centuries for reasons we can only guess. Perhaps he wishes to gain allies, or perhaps he has other purposes.”

"How the hells would you know what Lorkan Grace is hunting?" Raith asks.

"I make it my business to know things, Mr. Hollow. For instance, I know that Malakai and his allies have acquired weapons they should not possess. I know that there are eyes within Confluence observing all that transpires, eyes belonging to forces that might wish you harm. And I know those eyes will be watching most keenly during the Crucible, representing a very real threat to Nessa's safety if she's forced to demonstrate her... abilities."

"Empire emissaries," I say. "We heard they're here to observe the Crucible."

A flash of surprise crosses Voss's features, so brief I almost miss it. "You're well-informed. Yes, the Empire Council has sent representatives—ostensibly to evaluate the school's performance and our methods."

He rises, moving to a cabinet beside his desk. From it, he removes a crystal decanter filled with amber liquid and three small glasses. "Would either of you care for a drink? Avernium Reserve. Quite rare these days ever since the trade blockade a few years back."

"No," Raith says firmly.

"Miss Thorne?"

"I'm fine, thank you."

Voss pours himself a measure, returning to his seat with the glass in hand. He doesn't drink, merely swirls the liquid, watching the light play through it.

"I have a proposal for you, Miss Thorne," he says after a moment. "One I believe will be of mutual benefit."

"I'm listening," I say carefully.

"There is a place, not far from Confluence, that I would like you to see. A place of significant historical importance, particularly for someone with your... unique heritage. I believe it may help you better understand your abilities, perhaps even enhance them. At this place, you could have the final answers you seek about what you are. No more mysteries. No more questions."

"And when exactly do you propose this field trip take place?" Raith asks before I can respond, his voice hard.

"Tomorrow," Voss says. "It should be before the Crucible, and we’ve run out of time to delay. I believe what Miss Thorne might learn there could prove invaluable during the trials to come."

"No," Raith says immediately. "Tomorrow is the last day we have to get ready before the Crucible. Nessa needs rest. She needs to prepare. She doesn't need to be traipsing through the woods with you on some mysterious errand."

Voss's eyes narrow slightly. "I wasn't aware Miss Thorne required your permission, Mr. Hollow. Just as I wasn't aware I needed the permission of a student to do as I'd like."

"Then consider yourself informed of this new information." Raith's voice cuts like a thin blade, sharp and deadly. "She's not going anywhere when we have a Crucible to prepare for. End of discussion."

Voss's lip turns up at one corner. "Bold. I'll give you that much. But I'm afraid I must insist. This matter is quite time sensitive."

"Raith has a point," I say, careful to keep my tone measured. Raith may not be acting like it, but I'm keenly aware of who we're talking to. The Rector has the power to dismiss any student, effectively having them killed. I'm not eager to die so pointlessly after everything we've been through to make it this far. "Is this really the best time for... whatever this is? If I spend all day with you tomorrow, I'll be giving up my last chance to prepare, like Raith said."

Voss sets down his drink, leaning forward. "Miss Thorne, I have helped you understand and develop your abilities. I have protected you as best I can. I am asking for this one thing in return." Again, I sense the same impatience in his voice.

"Protected her?" Raith scoffs. "You left her to die after the siphon attack. How did you know more of those things weren't coming back? And I didn't see you during the elemental trial bailing her out. I didn't see you stopping people who wanted her dead from challenging her. You weren't in the lake when Malakai or that rogue elemental tried to kill her during the water trial."

"And yet she lives," he says coldly.

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