Free The Mindmage's Wrath: A Book of Underrealm (The Academy Journals 2) by Garrett Robinson Page A

then his face grew solemn. “You should have guessed it after what happened in the Academy last night. I had to come to see that you are all right.”
    Credell’s corpse flashed in his mind, and Ebon shook the thought away. “I am whole. It is kind of you to worry, but I was nowhere near the murder.”
    “That is not what I have heard. It seems you were one of the first to arrive after the body was discovered.”
    “One of the first, but not the first. Credell was already cooling, and beyond any help, when I got there.”
    “Do you know aught of what happened? Have you learned anything since?” said Mako. Ebon looked around with discomfort, but the bodyguard set a steady hand on his shoulder and grinned. “No one gets close enough to listen in on me, boy. Not without my knowing it. Speak.”
    Still Ebon hesitated a moment before answering. “We were following Lilith just before it happened. She was sharing wine with friends, and then she went out into the gardens. We thought she was alone, but then we heard her speaking to someone.”
    “Who?”
    “We know not. We tried to find out, but Lilith left, and her friend disappeared. That is when the screaming started, and Credell’s body was found.”
    Mako drummed his fingers on the table but never took his gaze from Ebon. His ale arrived, and he took a deep gulp. “It seems there is a strong case to be made for Lilith’s guilt.”
    “Mayhap,” said Ebon, nodding slowly. “Yet we lost sight of her for only a moment.”
    “Much can be done in a moment. A moment is longer than I need to cut a man’s throat, I promise you.”
    Ebon shuddered and looked into his wine cup. “You think she did it, then?”
    “I think more and more signs point that way. If Lilith had a hand in the theft from the vaults, or in Credell’s death, it seems the family Yerrin stands much to gain.”
    “The artifacts, you mean? That was Theren’s guess.”
    “The family Yerrin thwarts us in many things, and seeks ever to expand their influence. If they had even a handful of the more powerful artifacts in the Academy’s bowels, Drayden’s star might wane. Do not shrug—you might not care for your father’s ill fortune, but I would wager you care for Halab’s.”
    Ebon flushed. “Of course I wish no harm upon her. And what is more, if it is true that Yerrin played a role in the attack upon the Seat, then I have no wish for their future success. They must be brought to justice.”
    Mako smirked. “How very noble of you. I think you will have ample opportunity to catch her and expose the truth.”
    “Why?”
    “She has stolen from the vaults already, but now she has killed Credell before their doors. Why? Why would she have been there, if not to steal again? She was thwarted this time by Credell, but that does not mean she will give up. Keep following her, Ebon. Catch her in the act, and you shall have your justice. Mayhap you shall even have it before another corpse is on our hands.”
    Ebon frowned into his cup. “I hope so.”
    “We will speak more of this later. I have not only come to ask you about Credell’s murder. I bring word from the family.”
    Ebon sighed. “What is it this time?”
    “They will arrive to the Seat upon the morrow, and hope you will join them in the manor.”
    A shiver rippled through him, sliding down his back from the base of his skull. He tried to hide it, though Mako’s glinting eyes said he had failed. “I will, of course. You may tell them.”
    “I shall. And that brings this conversation to an end—and just in time.”
    Before Ebon could ask what the bodyguard meant, the Academy’s bells began to toll, signaling the end of morning classes and the serving of the midday meal. Ebon gaped. “How did you ...?”
    Mako pointed to the rear of the tavern. On a shelf behind the bar sat a large hourglass. The tavern’s owner turned it over even as Ebon watched.
    “I am no wizard, little Ebon, though the look on your face was a delight. Often