Page 37 of The Rowan
“We might need his contacts. Maybe you can ask without alerting him to the fact Arden is here with us? Make it seem as if Cormal made an inquiry, and you’re suspicious about anything Cormal wants to know,” Daire suggests.
“Sounds like an excellent compromise,” states Astor. “We get his input without showing our hand.”
I agree. “Theron? Valerian? What do you think?”
“That works,” Valerian says gruffly.
Theron stares at me, silently telling me not to fuck this up. “I agree.”
“And if anyone cares what I think…” Arden glares at all of us before continuing, “I agree, too. But nothing remains a secret in court, so the fewer people who know my situation, the better.”
“After this discussion, I’ll reach out to my father and Cormal. I don’t want Cormal blindsided if my father calls on him.” I push the hair back from my face. “I’ve got one more question. If we think these assassination attempts relate to your father, we need to figure out who he is sooner rather than later. Do you have any ideas? Any unusual powers?”
“Well, I can read minds. Is that a witch power?” Arden says, peering at Astor and Daire for their input. We all stop what we’re doing to stare at Arden.
Shocked, I try to empty my mind of thoughts, but new thoughts keep pouring in like sand in an hourglass. Looking around the room, I notice the panic on Valerian’s face, and the ice frosting the wall behind Theron. Daire and Astor are the only ones who aren’t panicking. Instead, they just seem amused.
“Just kidding.” Arden laughs. “Although, looking at your faces, I wish I had the power.” She sighs. “So far, I’ve only been able to use my witch powers. But as I’ve learned this week, sometimes you have to know how to use a power. I didn’t know I could transfigure until today. Once Santiago walked me through it, I knew I could do it. Can I practice with some of you?” She blinks at Astor. “Not blood magic. Think I’ll wait to try that one again. But demon magic? Fae magic? Elven magic? I don’t know. Thoughts?”
“It’s worth a try. We’ll take turns with you and see if anything resonates,” Theron remarks.
Arden raises her finger. “But first, this week, I need to learn how to heal. Daire is going to teach me the way his mother taught him. I know I can pass all six bloodline tests, but I don’t want Caro to know until the placement ceremony.”
“Don’t they usually finish the testing prior to the ceremony?” I ask her.
“I believe so. Santiago is going to suggest we hold both the tests and the ceremony at the same time,” she explains.
“Good. That gives us a few more days to prepare for it.” I sigh and roll my neck. “I’ll go call my father. Theron, do you want to go with me to make sure I don’t inadvertently give him any clues?” Knowing his need for control, I offer him an olive branch.
With a nod, he shifts his gaze to Arden. “From now on, you will take one of us with you when you leave. More than one might be better. This is non-negotiable,” he demands.
Arden stares him down but says nothing.
He gestures for me to wait. “Promise me.”
Arden crosses her arms and promises, “I promise to always take someone with me.”
I interject, “One of the cadre. At least until we can figure out who’s behind the assassination attempts.”
She blows out a breath. “Fine. I agree to take one of the cadre.”
23
ARDEN
As I’m drying myself off, I hear a knock on my bedroom door. A quick twist secures the towel around me, and I pull it open to find Theron.
“Why do I always find you half-dressed?” Theron mutters.
“Maybe it’s the only way I can get your attention?” I reply, half joking.
Theron ignores the statement. “I came by to inform you the call with the light Elven king went well. He’s going to have his chief of security investigate the contract. Although, I can’t say for certain he’ll tell us everything he finds. Time will tell.”
My stomach tightens. “I guess one more person helping isn’t a bad thing, but for some reason, it doesn’t feel all that great, either.”
Theron nods absentmindedly as he gazes around the room. “It’s taking on your personality.”
Startled, I look around. The Killian blades hang on the wall, along with a few more weapons. My family grimoire lies on the desk, open to a spell I was practicing before bed last night. A picture of Solandis, Vargas, me, and Callyx sits on the nightstand. “I guess I feel comfortable here,” I say self-consciously. Startled, I realize it’s true. The Abbey feels like home.
