Chapter 2
Even if Zynie was a prodigy who summoned her invoked at just twelve, it was still a shock to be dismissed like this by someone she’d always thought of as a little sister.
“I know she’s just trying to prepare, but Virelda’s real problem is her sharp tongue. She acts like she’s better than everyone.”
“What do you mean Virelda’s preparing for something?”
“What? What are you talking about?”
Zynie tried to play it cool, but her eyes darted everywhere. She might have been a genius witch at sixteen, but she was still too pure to hide her lies convincingly.
“You just said you knew Virelda was preparing.”
“No, I didn’t. That’s not it.”
“Zynie, look me in the eye and say that.”
“I told you, there’s nothing. I’m totally innocent!”
“If you’re so innocent, why can’t you look at me?”
“Ugh, stop asking. I just can’t tell you right now—it’s a secret!”
Zynie turned away sharply, trying to sound firm. Luckily, Fay had known her for so long she’d figured out how to handle her.
“You really think I’m the kind of witch who can’t keep a secret? Oh, Zynie… I can’t believe you don’t trust me…”
With her best sad face, Fay sighed heavily, acting all disappointed, until Zynie finally gave in and raised her hands in surrender.
“Promise you’ll keep it secret.”
Fay immediately raised her hand in oath.
“The emperor is gathering an army. They’re amassing forces from all over the empire. What we just faced is nothing compared to what’s coming!”
“…You’re lying.”
“I’m not! I checked with Donovan.”
Fay wanted to believe Zynie was making it up, but she knew the girl wasn’t one for nasty lies like that.
“This is no time to be sitting around at a party. We might be better off abandoning the fortress and running.”
But even if they left, there was nowhere to go.
Zynie’s eyes filled with tears, her lips trembling like she might burst out crying at any moment. Fay hugged the girl tightly.
“Don’t treat me like a child!”
The muffled protest came from against her chest. But no matter how much she denied it, to Fay—who’d known Zynie since she was six—she still felt like a kid.
“I don’t know what to do. Virelda didn’t know either—she just snapped at me not to tell anyone when I finally explained…”
“I see…”
“We’re all going to die.”
“Don’t say that. I’ll protect you.”
Fay tried to soothe her, patting her back. Zynie looked up.
“You’ll protect me?”
Her face looked incredulous, as if Fay were the last person she’d expect that from.
“How? You don’t even have an invoked. If things get dangerous, you’ll be in trouble before anyone else.”
“I—I can still protect you, even without an invoked!”
“Yeah, right. What, are you going to cast an invisibility spell over me? That spell only works on yourself, you know. You’d be better off casting it and running for your own life.”
“So you’re saying I shouldn’t even fight? You sound just like Virelda!”
Fay was stunned. She knew Zynie only said it out of worry, but it still stung to hear her reach the same conclusion as Virelda.
“Fine. So if I summon an invoked, they’ll stop looking down on me, right?”
Fay asked with an angry look. Zynie looked apologetic, but her expression made it clear she didn’t believe her.
“It’s not that I’m looking down on you, it’s just that you’ve never succeeded. Not once.”
“I’ll manage it this time. Probably!”
“Let’s say you actually beat the odds and make a contract. That’s still a one-in-ten-thousand chance. Even then, it’d probably be a low-level invoked and not much help.”
“Wow, you’re really out to break my heart today.”
Fay wished she could confidently protest, but in front of the genius girl, she just felt small.
“Donovan’s smart and strong, but even he couldn’t stand against those numbers. What we need is an invoked that could really turn the tide… Wait! I’ve got an idea!”
Zynie’s face suddenly lit up.
“We need to go to the North Tower.”
“Why all of a sudden?”
“I heard a rumor. There’s a book there with the names of powerful familiars written inside.”
“If that exists, it’d be a forbidden book. You know what that forbidden book means, right? You’re not supposed to read it.”
“Don’t treat me like a kid! I know what ‘forbidden’ means.”
“Then why are you trying to go there? The North Tower’s off-limits!”
You’ll get in trouble—big trouble.
Fay tried to warn her with her scariest face, but Zynie was no longer the trembling ten-year-old afraid of a spanking.
“It’s dangerous, so you stay here. I’ll be fine, I’ve got Donovan!”
“Zynie!”
Before Fay could stop her, Zynie darted off. No matter how clever the crow was, there was no way Fay could let her go alone.
“I must be crazy. Zynie, wait up!”
Fay hurried after Zynie.
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