Page 50 of Fate's Sweetest Curse
“Apparently he has a system, though I can’t figure it out.” I lifted the page I’d been trying to make sense of. “What do you think this symbol means?”
She leaned forward to look. “Oh, that’s for iron.” She pointed. “And that’s Gildium. It looks like he’s using metal alchemy shorthand in some places, but the rest is…” She trailed off with ahumph.
“My Notation Basics class hasn’t covered shorthand yet.”
“That’s because it’s advanced notation—and rather antiquated.”
I tipped my head back, facing the ceiling. “Great.”
“I can write up a key, if you’d like?” she offered. “Won’t help with the rest of it”—she waved at the mess on the floor—“but at least you’ll be able to discern the legible symbols.”
“That would be incredible, thank you.”
“Happy to help.”
She rose to her feet, and I followed suit, feeling done for the day.
“My name’s Viren, by the way. I’m a third-year apprentice.”
“Hattie,” I replied. “I’ve been here a month.”
Viren’s lips twisted into a small, charming smile. “How is it so far?”
I gestured at the papers littered on the ground around our feet.
She laughed.
“I’ve seen you around,” I said. “Are you a metal alchemist, too?”
She tipped her head from side to side—not ayes, not ano—her glossy hair brushing against her shoulders. “I’m a healing apprentice. My specialty is blood.”
My forehead creased. What did blood have to do with Hylder and Gildium? Was she studyingmonsterblood?
I opened my mouth to ask, but she cut me off.
“That’s all I can say.” She gave me a weighted look; her Oath must’ve prevented her from divulging more to a first-year apprentice about her role.
But maybe she could clarify something else for me. “Do you know much about Noble’s work here?”
“Beyond Gildium? No.” Viren cast his notes a meaningful glance. “I’d say you probably know more about his work than I do, but…perhaps not.”
“His notes make me wonder if I even know how to read at all.”
We both chuckled as we walked together out of his workshop.
Then my mind began churning with more questions. “Does blood mean—”
Viren turned to me, her expression kind and patient. “Apologies for interrupting, Hattie, but can I give you some advice?”
“Sure.”
“Keep to your assignment,” Viren said. “I know that sounds harsh, but trust me, it’s for the best.” She leaned closer, dropping her voice to a whisper. As she did, the sounds in the lab seemed to soften. “Around here, it’s dangerous to know too much.”
18
Breakthrough
Hattie
