Page 174 of Unbound

He's quiet for several beats before he finally answers. There's an earnest intensity in his eyes. "The history of our world isn't what most would have you believe. When you know the things that have been done. The mistakes that have been made..." he shakes his head, as if dismissing something. "If I play my cards right here, I'll be in a position to change things when I'm a primal. Helping you puts everything I'm trying to become at risk. So if nothing else, ask yourself why I would risk my own future to help you."

I try to think of a response, but none come. I nod my head, deciding I can at least take his warning to heart. Maybe I'll still go to the ruins after the Crucible, but if I do, I'll go knowing it could be some sort of trap. "Thank you," I say. "For the warning. And for the book."

His lips curl into something approaching a smile. "Was it helpful?

"Very. It's helped me understand...certain things."

"Good." He glances toward the door. "We should get back before we're missed. There are eyes everywhere. Be careful, especially with Malakai."

"I know he's dangerous, but?—"

"It's more than that," Bastian interrupts. "I believe somebody powerful is involved with him. They're feeding him information and supplies."

"Why? What would that achieve?"

Bastian's expression darkens. "Chaos. Disruption. An excuse to question the Academy's leadership. My father and the Council are looking for any reason to remove Voss from power. A disaster during the Crucible would give them exactly what they need."

The pieces click together with sickening clarity. "So Malakai's being used as a tool to bring down Voss? But why would he agree to that?"

"Not everyone makes choices freely," Bastian says, his voice gentler than I've ever heard it. "Sometimes, the threat to those we care about can be... persuasive."

Before I can ask more questions, the door to the balcony opens. Bastian steps away from me, his expression shifting to one of cool disdain.

"Watch where you're going next time, Thorne," he says loudly enough for the intruder to hear. "If you spill water on my uniform again, there will be consequences."

I play along, keeping my head bowed slightly. "Sorry. It won't happen again."

The fourth-year air in the doorway looks between us with mild interest before continuing onto the balcony. Bastian brushes past me, his shoulder barely grazing mine. As he does, he whispers so softly I almost miss it:

"Trust Hollow. Whatever else he might be hiding, he genuinely cares for you."

Then he's gone, striding down the corridor with the confident gait of someone who has never questioned his place in the world.

I follow more slowly, mulling over everything Bastian has said from the warning about Voss, the revelation about Malakai, and most surprisingly, his endorsement of Raith. None of it makes complete sense, but all of it feels important.

"He withholds much, but what he shares carries the ring of truth,"Typhon observes.

"I thought so, too, even if I wish I believed he was wrong."

I make my way to the eastern tower storage room, where my friends are waiting. The space is cramped, filled with discontinued training equipment and broken furniture, but empty for now, which is all that matters.

Brunhild is demonstrating some kind of grappling technique on Beck, who appears to be enjoying his predicament far too much despite being bent into an anatomically questionable position.

"Ah, Nessa!" Ambrose exclaims when I enter. "Perfect timing. We were just about to begin our weapons sabotage briefing."

"Sabotage?"

Mireen gestures me closer to where she's sketching something on a piece of parchment. "We've mapped out the location of Malakai's weapon cache. There's a guard rotation, but we've identified a twenty-minute window tonight when the room should be unattended."

"What's then? Steal them?"

"Too obvious," Beck says, still trapped in Brunhild's hold. "They'd notice immediately, and we'd just confirm their paranoia about traitors."

"We're going to sabotage them instead," Ambrose explains, pushing his glasses up his nose. "Make subtle alterations that won't be immediately apparent but will render the weapons useless when they're needed most."

"Ollie can rust the metal from the inside," Mireen adds. "Create weak points that will snap under pressure. Typhon could help too, if he's willing."

All eyes turn to where Typhon hovers in his flying fish form. I can practically feel his disdain radiating through our tether.

---