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

simple observation serves better than magic. I wish you well in your quest for the truth—only take care, and do not place yourself in danger you cannot get back out of. It would have been a tremendous waste of my effort to save you from the attack on the Seat, only for you to die now.”
    “I will keep that in mind,” said Ebon, giving him a wry smile. “I would hate to see your effort wasted.”
    Mako laughed, tossed a gold weight on the table for the drinks, and slipped out the door.

nine

    BY THE TIME EBON REACHED the Academy’s wide front doors, students were already pouring out into the streets. He waited until a sizable crowd was pressing through, and then slipped inside between them. Mellie was back on watch, and she fixed him with a suspicious glare as he passed by. But he escaped without incident, and she did not call after him. He rounded the corner of the first hallway and pressed himself against the stone, letting out a long sigh of relief.
    “Ebon!”
    He very nearly jumped out of his skin at the shout. There was Perrin, her massive frame trundling down the hallway towards him, brows almost joined as she frowned.
    “Instructor Perrin,” stammered Ebon. “I—that is, I—”
    “Stow it.” She folded her arms and peered down at him through narrowed eyes. “Did you think I would not note your absence? An empty seat is a tad conspicuous, especially so near the front.”
    Ebon bowed his head. “I am sorry, Instructor. I was only—”
    A massive hand clapped down on his shoulder, squeezing tight—but not painfully. When he raised his eyes again, Ebon found Perrin looking back at him with soft concern.
    “You do not need to tell me where you have been. Last night was a terrible tragedy, and none could fault you for needing to clear your mind after what you saw. Only next time, tell me.”
    He ducked his head again, but this time in shame. She thought he was upset over Credell’s death. And Ebon supposed he was, but that was far overshadowed by his worries about Cyrus, and Lilith, and now his family’s arrival upon the Seat. What did it say about him, that he had so little concern for the death of his first instructor at the Academy?
    But he could say none of this, of course, so he only mumbled, “I will remember, Instructor. Thank you. And again, I am sorry.”
    Perrin clapped his shoulder again—Ebon thought the spot might bruise—and left him. Ebon shuffled towards the dining hall, trying not to feel so wretched. The moment he stepped inside, Kalem and Theren leapt up from their seats and came to him.
    “Where were you this morning?” hissed Kalem.
    “I made a wager with him that you went to see your lover,” said Theren with a grin. “Tell me I am a gold weight richer.”
    “You are.” Ebon could not help matching her smile. But Kalem drew back, his eyes filled with reproach.
    “Ebon, what possessed you? No one minds you having a lover. But leaving your classes to visit her?”
    “My thoughts would give me no peace,” said Ebon, frowning at him. “You cannot tell me your mind is inured to the sight of corpses, even after the attack on the Seat.”
    Kalem had no answer for that, and he lowered his eyes. But Theren took their arms and pulled them both towards the door. “Enough of that. Come to the library, Ebon, for we have something to show you.”
    “What is it?” said Ebon. “I have not even eaten.”
    “I took a roll for you.” Theren produced the mangled, squished thing from her pocket and shoved it into his hand. Ebon grimaced. Soon they whisked him into the library and up the stairs, where they huddled in their third-floor corner. Kalem went to the wall and put forth his power, and the stone shifted to reveal his secret cubbyhole. He drew an old tome of plain brown leather, unadorned, with no title on the cover.
    “I found this book,” said Kalem.
    “In the library?” said Ebon, raising his eyebrows. “Wonders may never cease.”
    “It was hidden,” Kalem said,