Page 62 of The Tribes of Magic
“It’s Bronte. What they’re saying about her, that she went into a restricted area and that’s why she got kicked out of the Program…” I shook my head. “It can’t be. That just isn’t Bronte.”
“But it is you, Savannah.”
I forced a smile. “Uh, right, so the Black Obelisk isn’t exactly a restricted area. It’s just that you need an invitation to be here. Think you can help me out with that?”
“You want me to give you an invitation to enter the Black Obelisk?”
“That would be splendid, Altair, thank you so much. And if you could backdate it like half an hour earlier or so, I’d really appreciate it. Oh, and issue an invitation to Dutch too.”
Altair turned toward Dutch, who was standing as still as a statue and not saying a word. “She doesn’t ask for much, does she? How did she rope you into her latest shenanigans?”
“She assured me it’s for a good cause.”
“And it is for a good cause!” I said. “Truth and justice are the best causes of all!”
“Truth and justice, eh? Very well. Tell me more, Savannah. But first, please turn off that invisibility spell. When I keep this thing on for too long, it gives me a headache.”
“I’ll turn off the spell if you tell the Watchers that you asked us to come here.”
“You are very demanding for someone who wants a favor.”
“Come on, Altair. You can be the hero and save Bronte. You wouldn’t want to miss out on an opportunity to beheroic, would you?”
“You are far too clever for your own good, Savannah Winters. But being clever isn’t the same as being smart.”
“I can be both.”
“There’s a reason the General is always giving you a hard time.” Altair was even parts serious and amused.
“Do we have a deal or not?”
“Indeed.” Altair took off the headdress.
And I turned the knob on the magic token, bringing Dutch and me back into phase.
“So tell me about this heroic plan of yours,” Altair said.
“The Watchers apparently have video footage of Bronte sneaking into some restricted area. The plan is for us to take a look at this so-called evidence, prove it’s fake, and get Bronte reinstated.”
“Oh, is that all? And what do you plan on doing with the rest of the afternoon?”
“I’ll let you know when the job is done.”
So the three of us headed to the Records Room. None of the Watchers stopped us. We looked perfectly legit with our Knight escort.
“So, Altair,” I said as we walked down the hall. “What can you tell me about Ainsley?”
“I take it you’re not asking out of idle curiosity?”
“I’m wondering…” I exhaled. “I’m wondering if she’s working for the General.”
“AllKnights work for the General, Savannah.”
“I know, but that’s not what I mean. I’m wondering if Ainsley is spying on me for the General.”
“Why would you think that?”
Altair opened the rather ominous black door to the Records Room, and we went inside. I quickly closed the door behind us, in case there were any Watchers wandering about. They might let us walk the halls, but they probably weren’t all too keen on the idea of us sifting through their surveillance videos. And no talk of ‘doing the right thing’ would convince them otherwise.Watchers followed orders, and that was that. They didn’t care about chivalry, heroics, or anything else the Knights stood for.
