The Rogue

attempt another escape. But she’d be staying with Sonea. A black magician.

Which is what I am, too, she reminded herself.

Even so, all novices found the two black magicians a little scary. She suspected that more than a few graduated magicians did as well. Sonea had used black magic. She’d killed with it.

Only in defence of Kyralia. Not like Naki has.

Sonea made a small beckoning gesture. “Come on. Let’s get you settled in.”

Not trusting herself to speak, Lilia nodded and followed the black-robed woman out of the room. The two guards eyed Sonea nervously, which did not make Lilia feel any better. She followed obediently through the passages and corridors of the University, out and across the courtyard, and into the Magicians’ Quarters.

In the wide corridor within, they passed two Alchemists. The man and woman nodded to Sonea politely, but their eyes slid to Lilia. She expected disapproval or suspicion. Instead they looked grim and sympathetic.

Only when she reached the top of the stairs did she work out why.

“Naki,” she found herself saying.

Sonea glanced at her. “I have news of her, as well. Come inside first.”

At once a deep dread filled Lilia. The news isn’t going to be good, she thought. I shouldn’t care what’s happened to Naki, after what she did to me. But she knew that she would.

They paused before a door, which swung inward. Sonea gestured for Lilia to enter first. Stepping through, Lilia took in the simple but luxurious surrounds and realised that someone was standing in front of the guest room chairs. As she recognised who it was, her heart leapt.

“Anyi!”

The young woman smiled, stepped forward and gave Lilia a quick hug. “Lilia,” she said. “I had to see how you were doing.” She looked at Sonea. “Have you told her yet?”

Sonea shook her head. “I was about to.” She met Lilia’s gaze, her expression serious and sympathetic. “You were right: the king did not grant Naki a pardon. She was executed late last night.”

Though Lilia had expected it, the news sent a shock through her. She sat down in the closest chair. For a while all she could do was breathe.

Gone. Naki is gone. She was so young. As they say, she was full of potential. Maybe it’s a good thing that her potential wasn’t realised, though. Who knows how many more people she would have killed?

A hand touched her back. She realised that Anyi was sitting beside her. The young woman smiled, but her eyes were full of concern.

“I’ll be all right,” Lilia told her.

“I’ll leave you two to catch up,” Sonea said. She opened the door and slipped out of the room.

Lilia gaped at the door.

“What’s wrong?” Anyi asked.

“She left me here alone.”

“Alone? I’m here.”

Lilia shook her head. “Sorry. I meant unguarded. By magicians.” She narrowed her eyes at Anyi. “Unless there’s something you’re not telling me.”

Anyi laughed. “There’s always something I’m not telling someone. That’s a part of my job. But no, I’m not a magician. Not a shred of magic in me. I got myself tested once, when I was a child. I thought if I could get into the Guild it would be a great way to spite Cery.”

“Spite Cery? Why would getting into the Guild do that?”

A look of surprise and then realisation crossed Anyi’s face, then she cursed and smacked her palm onto her forehead.

“What is it? You just gave something away, didn’t you?” Lilia considered Anyi’s words. “You’ve known Cery since you were a child.” No wonder Anyi was so loyal. Except that she had once wanted to spite him. As if … “He’s your father!”

Letting out a groan, Anyi nodded. “I am clearly much better at being a bodyguard than keeping secrets.”

“What’s the problem with people knowing your father’s a Thief?”

Anyi grimaced. “Skellin had Cery’s second wife and my half-brothers murdered. Well, we think it was him.”

“Oh.” All Lilia’s satisfaction at guessing the truth melted away. “So you’re afraid that, if he finds out you’re Cery’s daughter, he’ll try to kill you, too.”

Anyi shrugged. “He’d kill me anyway if he had the chance, because I’m Cery’s bodyguard. It’s more likely he’d do something to me to hurt or blackmail Cery, if he found out we’re related.”

“Well … your secret’s safe with me. Though if Sonea or Kallen ever read my mind—”

“Sonea knows. Kallen, on the other hand …” Anyi frowned, then regarded Lilia with one eyebrow raised. “I don’t suppose you feel like running away with me? With Cery’s help, I can take you somewhere the Guild will never find you.”

Lilia’s heart flipped over. “No. It’s tempting, but staying is … the right thing to do. I never really cared much about that, but I do now.”

“Even if they put you back in the Lookout? How is that right? It would be a waste.”

“No.” Lilia shook her head. “I broke a law, and my vow. I did it out of stupidity, not malice, but I need to be seen to be punished so that novices like Naki don’t do the things she did.” She shivered. “The last thing the Guild needs is to waste time and magic looking for me when it should be finding Skellin and Lorandra.”

But if I did go, Lilia suddenly thought, I could help protect Anyi. And Cery. It would be like returning the favour they gave me …

Anyi nodded slowly. “Well, it’s your decision.” She placed a hand on Lilia’s and squeezed. “I hope they don’t lock you up, because I’ve got rather fond of you. I’d like to see you again.”

Lilia smiled in gratitude. “I’d like to see you again, too.”

A tap at the door drew their attention. Anyi let go of Lilia’s hand and stood up as Sonea entered.

“Sorry to interrupt,” Sonea said. She looked at Anyi. “A rather cryptic message just arrived from Cery.” She handed over a small slip of paper. “I think he wants you to return.”

Anyi read it and nodded. “He wants me to pick up some sweet buns on the way.” Anyi turned back to Lilia and smiled. “Good luck.”

To Lilia’s amusement, Sonea beckoned and took her into a small bedroom, closing the door.

“This is where you’ll sleep,” Sonea told her. She bent to the door, obviously listening. “Cery always has another way of getting into the room than the corridor and I assume Anyi used the same method,” she explained. “I don’t want to know how, in case my mind is ever read.”

Lilia heard a dull thud. It must have been a signal, for Sonea turned the handle and opened the door. The guest room was now empty. Sonea turned to regard Lilia.

“Are you all right?”

“Yes.” Lilia nodded. Though learning of Naki’s execution had been a shock, she felt better than she had expected. Not happy, but accepting of how things had turned out and hopeful that the future would be better.

“I’m fine,” she said. “Thanks. Thanks for letting me stay here.”

Sonea smiled. “Hopefully we’ll have a more permanent home for you soon. In the meantime, make yourself comfortable.”

Lorkin woke with a jolt.

Looking around, he made out his “rescuers” and fellow travel companions in the dim light of the carriage interior. All were asleep. He sighed in relief.

Since he had first joined them, the three Masters had pestered him for stories of his time among the