Page 77 of Darkness and Deceit
Because secrets do not keep forever. And if this is how we treat the truth—like something dangerous to be hidden—then maybe it is not just the Balance that is cracking.
Maybe it is us.
Maybe Lilith Knight is the only one hearing the cracks—and daring to follow the sound.
I leave Mara without a word.
It is not that I do not know what to say. It is that I know exactly what would come out of my mouth—and none of it would serve anyone but myself.
Seventeen reinforcements. Encroaching instability. A scryer result I still have not reported.
I need space. Somewhere beyond the boundaries of diplomatic language and curated calm. Somewhere I can hear myself think without hushed whispers and dozens of eyes on me.
The forest is quiet tonight, but it is not the peaceful kind. The image of Lilith touching the tether scryer, it flaring, and the threads fracturing and blooming with purple light will not leave me.
It is all I have thought about since.
Four threads.
One reached for Kai. Two more shot off in different directions of the academy.
And the last… went towardme.
I have tried every way to rationalize it. Maybe it was not really aiming toward me, only in my direction. But I… I think I felt a tug in my chest.
Keepers do not mate. We cannot. It is forbidden.
But…
No. I cannot go there. I must not.
Because I know what the Keepers would do if they knew there might be a connection between us.
They would study it.
They would sever it.
And if they could not?—
They would severher.
A branch snaps behind me.
I do not turn right away. I know who it is. Her magic has a steady, purposeful rhythm to it I recognize now.
“Augustus,” Lilith calls out. I do not react at first. “Hey, don’t bother pretending you can’t hear me. I know you can.”
I breathe in. Hold it. Let it out slowly. Carefully tuck all of my emotions away and then I turn.
She stands a few paces back, her black hair with purple streaks neatly braided. There are shadows under her eyes, but her jaw is set. It is obvious she has not slept much, if at all.
“You should be resting,” I say awkwardly, wincing internally.
She crosses her arms. “You should be reporting what the tether scryer showed.”
I say nothing.
“You saw it react to me,” she continues, stepping forward. “Those threads. You know what they are. Or yoususpect. And yet… you’ve said nothing.”
