My hands were sweaty and shaking as I shoved the pill in my pocket and pulled Valentina to her feet.

Four men in enforcer uniforms, with numbers printed on their chest, stopped beside me. “What are you doing?” One of the men barked.

My heart pounded, leaping into my throat and sticking there as the men stared. Their expressions were hidden behind opaque black masks, but that did little to calm my nerves.

I dropped my jaw to speak, but only moved my lips without making a sound. I swallowed and tried again.

The words came out with a squeak as I stuttered, saying, “I—I just—the—but—my spe—”

Some of the men laughed, but the leader turned his focus to Valentina.

“Is something wrong ma’am? Is this natch bothering you.”

My chest felt hollow. The word natch stabbed into my mind over and over until my entire body burned with anger.

I took a deep breath, realizing that they must’ve thought Valentina was human and not my tome. She certainly seemed more human than I expected of a spell tome.

If it was just that, if they only approached to check on her, then maybe they didn’t notice us teleport here. Maybe they didn’t know about the underground.

Valentina straightened herself out, shaking her head and saying, “No…no, Dexter is my magister.” She looked up at the enforcer.

I gulped. My hands felt numb and cold sweat beaded down the back of my neck.

He didn’t seem convinced, standing there silently and staring from behind his mask.

As if to prove her words, Valentina reverted and drifted into the empty tome pouch on my belt.

“Carry on,” the lead enforcer said.

I breathed out my tension. My shoulders relaxed, and my heart calmed.

The men marched on, heading into the airship’s loading dock.

Valentina didn't come out of my pouch. She probably needed a little rest after everything, and I couldn't blame her.

As people started to enter the aerodrome, I made my way out.

***

Back at the tower I returned to my dorm. I needed to talk to professor Kaylastal, but that could wait until I got a proper rest.

The dorm was empty, both Alex and Amhir must’ve been at class. There was a cooling plate of poached egg and crispy bacon on the counter and a note attached to my room door.

I took the note as I entered.

The air inside was stale, like my door hadn’t been opened for days. The bed was still messy, but that only made it easier to lay down. I fell into the fluffy cloud like softness and sighed contently before closing my eyes. As I laid on the bed, my body ached from fatigue and the strain of injuries I could only feel but no longer see.

As I rolled over, I felt a cold hard lump in my pocket and remembered the pill that odd spell tome gave me. Her words rang in my mind like a hollow bell.

“Take it if you don’t want to die…”

What could she have meant by that? She said to take it when my chest burned, so maybe this had something to do with the wounds the imp gave me. Did he use a poisoned blade? Was this the antidote? Or did he curse me?

I reached in my pocket, taking hold of the cool little pill and staring at the shimmering blue light reflected off its shiny surface. The thing looked more like a piece of glass than any medicine and it was so cold it hurt to hold it for more than a few seconds.

I sighed, stuffing the thing back into my pocket. My chest ached, but it didn’t burn and I didn’t think I should take the pill without knowing what it was. I turned my attention to the note next.

It read, ‘Hey, Dexy-Dex. You’ve been gone almost a week… you didn’t actually have M did you? Professor K says you’re fine, but he won’t give details. I know you’re close with the professor an’ all, but I worry too man. Anyway I prayed to the founder so I’m sure you’ll be fine, but we need to share contacts and next time, let me know before you disappear.’

Almost a week? Even considering that I spent a fair amount of time unconscious, I didn’t think it could’ve been that long.

Whatever, I’ll worry about it later.

Did you know this text is from a different site? Read the official version to support the creator.

I closed my eyes again, drifting off quickly.

----------------------------------------

Alex's POV

“Why are you so worried about him? I mean, shouldn’t it be the other way around?” Amhir smirked.

I glared across the table at him. “And why is that? Can’t I care about my friend?”

The dumb smirk on his face faded as he stammered, “I didn’t mean—it’s just that…well, you’re a Vellden and he’s a nobody that probably doesn’t even realize how lucky he is.”

I leaned back, looking over the back of my chair and out the shop window at the upside down world. People walked by in a hurry rushing from one mind numbing activity to the next.

Elite magisters were all bored of their cushy lives, but most were still too afraid to give up safety for thrills. Instead they frequented gambling halls if they wanted to feel at risk, they hired hookers when they were lonely, splurged on gadgets, collectibles, and artifacts to feel accomplished… Now my dad had his eye on a different sort of prize and unfortunately he’d decided it was up to me to get it for him.

I sighed as I sat back up.

“Maybe Dex isn’t as lucky as you think. Or maybe he is, but not for the reasons you think.”

He just stared. I shook my head as the words fell from my lips like acid, eating at him with every drop.

The man was arrogant, selfish and probably stupid enough to think his status would always keep him from any danger. He recognized my family name, but obviously rather than keep a distance, he clung to me like gum stuck to my shoe. Maybe he was one of the few looking for real danger, in either case I didn’t care.

Amhir was at least good for conversation, but soon enough his fascination would make him a target. If we were friends I might’ve tried warning him, but I learned long ago that the friends I’d have would be my targets.

I let out a frustrated breath as I watched him struggle with what to say next.

Finally I stood, saying, “You’ve got the bill right?” I didn’t wait for a reply.

Even if my father said it was for his own collection, I didn’t believe him. He didn’t care for naturals, only the beautiful. It was one reason I refused any form of sculpting.

Still, I couldn’t imagine what kind of client would have such specific and peculiar tastes—it might have even been a founder if my father was lying to me about it.

Ding!

My phone buzzed.

Someone entered the dorm. I opened the live feed from the monitor I installed and found Dexter.

I grinned. “Guess I won’t be watching the duels tonight.”

As I looked back into the cafe, I noticed the expression on Amhir's face. He looked as if someone kicked his favorite puppy.

His family must’ve really been hurting if the bill for the meal bothered him so much. I shook my head and rolled my eyes as I joined those hurrying on to their next destination.

Even if he saw my note, something told me I couldn’t depend on Dexter to contact me. I needed to make the next move.

----------------------------------------

Rivayne’s POV

“That boy! Really?” I balked. “There’s no way, why would—how would he have hidden it all this time? I’ve met him personally and I sensed absolutely nothing.”

Alice frowned, quipping, “Well you aren’t as discerning as a founder.”

Zero Nine One nodded, seeming to agree with her. “Even I didn’t notice it, but madam founder is certain and she’s tasked you with securing him before anyone else acts. The research understudy program would be the best opportunity, however she says you shouldn’t hesitate to approach him sooner. She gave him one, but he may need more Gen-Stasis before then.”

I scoffed. “She isn’t here, you can call it what it really is.”

“Rivayne!” Alice hissed.

I laughed, looking her over then meeting her icy glare with one of my own.

I enjoyed making her uncomfortable and the best part was, she hated it but couldn't say a damn thing about it.

With a wide smirk, I said, “Relax, tome. It was only a joke.”

I turned back to the screen.

Zero Nine One was looking off somewhere else. I noticed yellowing pipes in the frame behind him, covered in lime and scale. He must’ve been in the refinery.

The hiss of steam covered his voice as he spoke to someone off screen, then a loud metallic clang jerked his attention to something behind him.

Turning back to his phone, he ended the call without explanation.

It must’ve been her, or maybe it was that giant beast they kept locked up down there. It didn’t matter. They’d deal with it.

I needed to learn what I could about Dexter Maele, and I knew just who to ask.

Dialing my step niece, I waited patiently for her to answer.

“Uncle Rivayne, I’m so glad you called me!” she squealed.

“Yes, and I’m so glad you answered,” I said, trying not to sound bored or annoyed, or as disgusted as I felt talking to her. “Do you have a boyfriend, Jyanna?”

She hesitated before responding. “Uhm…no.” Her voice quavered, giving away her confusion and discomfort at the question.

I suppressed my smirk. Her mother was only a common whore that convinced my brother to leave the woman I set him up with, but she was beautiful, and Jyanna was every bit as tempting, especially after I paid for her legs and curves. She should have no trouble seducing—

“Actually, Uncle, I wanted to ask if—”

“Of course, anything Jyanna. Whatever you need, but I have a favor to ask as well actually.”

I heard her suck in her breath, but before she could say anything, I added. “You will say yes won’t you? I didn’t even hesitate to agree to your request, because you’re family…” I paused, taking a moment to swallow the lingering sourness of those words. “You will do the same for your dear uncle, won’t you?”

Jyanna took a long shaky breath then finally replied in a firm tone. “Yes… of course uncle. You know I will.”

I couldn’t hide my smirk this time. The girl was putty in my hand. I couldn't have asked for better. “Excellent! Then tell me quickly what it is you need, then I’ll tell you what I need from you.”