None of it would happen. Ever.
The Guild knew she had sought knowledge of black magic. The punishment for that crime was expulsion. If they knew she had learned black magic, and used it to kill...
But she had done it, and risked her future, for a good reason. If the Ichani invaded, graduation or stopping the Purge would never happen anyway.
She put that thought out of her mind with an effort. She needed to think. Now that the Guild knew, what should they do? How would she and Akkarin continue to fight the Ichani?
It was clear they couldn't return to the Guild. They would have to hide in the city. Avoiding discovery by the Guild would make everything harder, but not impossible. Akkarin knew the Thieves. She had a few useful connections, too. She looked at Akkarin.
'What do we do now?'
He looked down the staircase. 'We go back.'
She stared at him. 'To the Guild?'
'Yes. We tell them about the Ichani.'
Her heart skipped.
'You said you didn't think they'd believe you.'
'I don't. But I have to give them the opportunity.'
'But what if they don't believe you?'
Akkarin's gaze wavered. He looked down. 'I am sorry I brought you into this, Sonea. I will protect you from the worst of it, if I can.'
She caught her breath, then silently cursed herself. 'Don't apologize,' she told him firmly. 'It was my decision. I knew the risks. Tell me what I must do, and I will do it.'
His eyes widened slightly. He opened his mouth, then his gaze grew distant again.
'They're taking Takan away. We must hurry.'
He disappeared down the stairs. Sonea hurried after. As he strode into the maze of passages she glanced back.
'The stairs?'
'Leave them.'
She broke into a run and caught up with him. Keeping pace with his long strides was difficult, and she bit back a comment about him having some consideration for people with shorter legs.
'Two people must be protected through all this,' he said. 'Takan and Lorlen. Mention nothing of Lorlen's ring, or of his prior knowledge of any of this. We may need him in the future.'
All too soon he slowed and stopped before the door to the underground room. He took off his coat, folded it and placed it beside the door. Then he unbuckled the belt of the knife sheath and set it on top. A globe light sparked into life above their heads. Akkarin shuttered the lamp and placed it beside the coat.
For a long time he stood regarding the door to the underground room, his bare arms crossed over his black vest. Sonea waited silently beside him.
It was difficult to believe that this had happened. Tomorrow she was supposed to be studying how to heal broken ribs. In a few weeks the mid-year tests would start. She felt a pull toward the door, a strange feeling that she had only to find her way to her bed, and she would wake up to find everything continuing as it always had.
But the room beyond was probably filled with magicians waiting for Akkarin's return. They knew that she had learned about black magic. They suspected Akkarin had killed Jolen. They would be ready for a fight.
Still Akkarin remained motionless. She was just beginning to wonder if he was going to change his mind when he turned to look at her.
'Stay here until I call you in.'
Then he narrowed his eyes at the door and it silently slid open.
The backs of two magicians blocked the way into the room. Beyond them, Sonea could see Lord Balkan pacing the room slowly. Lord Sarrin was sitting at the table, regarding the items on it with a puzzled frown.
They didn't notice the door open. Then one of the magicians standing in front of the doorway shivered and glanced over his shoulder. Seeing Akkarin, he sucked in a breath and backed away, dragging his companion with him.
All heads turned to watch as Akkarin stepped into the room. Even without the outer part of his robes, he still looked imposing.
'My, what a lot of visitors,' he said. 'What brings you all to my residence so late at night?'
Balkan's eyebrows rose. He looked toward the stairway. Hurried footsteps could be heard, then Lorlen stepped into view. The Administrator turned to regard Akkarin, his expression unexpectedly composed.
'Lord Jolen and his household were murdered tonight.' Lorlen's voice was calm and controlled. 'Evidence has been found that has given us cause to suspect you are the murderer.'
'I see,' Akkarin said quietly. 'This is a serious matter. I did not kill Lord Jolen, but you will have to work that out for yourselves.' He paused. 'Will you explain to me how Jolen died?'
'With black magic,' Lorlen said. 'And since we have just found books on black magic in your house, including in Sonea's room, we have even more reason to suspect you.'
Akkarin nodded slowly. 'Indeed you have.' The corner of his mouth curled upward. 'And you must all be frightened out of your wits by the discovery. Well, now. No need to be. I will explain myself.'
'You will cooperate?' Lorlen asked.
'Of course.'
The relief on every face was clear to see.
'But I have one condition,' Akkarin added.
'What is that?' Lorlen replied warily. Balkan glanced at him.
'My servant,' Akkarin replied. 'I made him a promise once that he would never have his freedom taken from him again. Bring him here.'
'And if we don't?' Lorlen asked.
Akkarin took a step to one side. 'Sonea will go in his place.'
Sonea felt her skin prickle as the magicians noticed her standing in the passage. She shivered as she considered what they must be thinking. Had she learned black magic? Was she dangerous? Only Lorlen might hope she would rebel against Akkarin; the rest did not know the real reason she had become the High Lord's novice.
'Bring them both here, and he will have two allies at hand,' Sarrin warned.
'Takan is not a magician,' Balkan said quietly. 'So long as he remains out of Akkarin's reach, he is no threat to us.' He looked at the other Higher Magicians. 'The question is: would you prefer to have Sonea in custody, or the servant?'
'Sonea,' Vinara replied without hesitation. The others nodded.
'Very well,' Lorlen said. His gaze flickered to the distance, then back again. 'I have ordered him to be brought.'
A long, tense silence followed. Finally, footsteps were heard coming down the stairs. Takan appeared, his arms firmly held by a Warrior. He was pale and anxious.
'Forgive me, master,' he said. 'I couldn't stop them.'
'I know,' Akkarin told him. 'You should know better than to try, my friend.' He took several steps away from the passage entrance, stopping beside the table at one side of the room. 'The barriers are down and I have left the stairs open. You will find what you need just outside the door.'
Takan nodded. They stared at each other, then the servant nodded again. Akkarin turned toward the passage.
'Come in, Sonea. When Takan is released, go to Lorlen.'
Taking a deep breath, Sonea stepped into the room. She looked at the Warrior holding Takan, then at Lorlen. The Administrator nodded.
'Let him go.'
As Takan stepped away from his captor, Sonea started toward Lorlen. The servant stopped as he reached her, and bowed.
'Take care of my master, Lady Sonea.'
