Page 29

ARKANA

Tenebrose Academy takes up most of the main part of town, sprawling in its monstrous grounds. Its ornate buildings contain stained glass windows, walls of stone and brick, massive gargoyles for ravens to perch on, and iron spires that reach for the stars.

There are dormitories, a grand library named in my family’s honor, and dozens of educational buildings scattered over the property. But the academy was built on hallowed ground, constructed around an old graveyard and the church of the goddess of death.

The church of Nephthys.

The same church that made my mother a widow minutes after it made me a bride. Sometimes, I think this whole town is cursed. Or maybe it’s just my family.

“You look like you’ve seen a ghost.” I am still surprised that Bell insisted on coming with me today. And now he climbs the stairs with me, a bit sullen but in awe of every corner.

“I wasn’t expecting Tenebrose to be this… opulent.” He furrows his brow.

“Do they not have academies such as this in the North? I would assume they are much grander, what with Raven’s Gate being such a young town.” Sweat drips down my back as we reach the top floor.

Bell’s eyes darken. “Of course, we do,” he snaps. He holds the door open for me. “I just did not expect it here.”

Something is off with him. I’ve sensed his cruelty, his sharp tongue, and quick temper, but this is different. There’s a sadness that permeates from him. And I wish to know why. But that will have to wait, as I can only deal with one crisis at a time.

I take a deep breath and knock on the door. I am hoping to catch them at this hour. It is after classes and well before dinnertime.

The door pops open with a jolt. The tiny blonde girl’s eyes widen before she throws her arms around my neck. “Arkana! What do I owe this visit?”

I embrace her back. “Jessamine, darling, I have come to see my brother. Is he here?”

Her eye twitches as her gaze flits to Bell. “Um… well.”

I take her hands in mine. “It’s all right, Jess. Bell isn’t here to drag him back to Mother’s, if that’s what you’re worried about. We just want to speak to him.”

“It’s fine,” Silas calls out. “Let them in.”

I breathe out a sigh of relief and rush past her into his arms. He laughs as he staggers back. “Hello, sister. I think this is the only time you’ve embraced me in your entire life.”

“I’m just so happy to see you’re okay, Silas. Everything has been upside down lately. Mother is more awful than usual, and Uncle Atreus gives me cause for concern.”

He nods at Bell, acknowledging him before facing me. “That is why I had to leave, Kana. It’s too much. I cannot bear it without Father.”

The tears I’ve been holding back finally spill. They stream down my cheeks as he holds me. “They are going to ruin everything if you don’t come back and assume your place as elder. You should be leading Nocturnus, not Finn or Atreus.”

He sighs and motions for me to take a seat in their parlor. As a Blackwell, Jessamine’s dormitory is the most luxurious out of all the others. Her family is a major donor to the school, and so she has been treated like a queen since arriving. Unfortunately, my mother doesn’t appreciate her value as much as Silas does.

He pours all four of us each a whiskey before sitting down across from me. “I don’t want it, Kana. I’ve been skirting it for years. Father and I had a huge argument about it not long before he… Fuck. I thought I had more time to convince him to give it to you.”

“Me?” I gasp. “Don’t be silly, Silas. Nocturnus will never let a woman be an elder.”

“They’d be better off,” Bell growls.

Silas nods in agreement. “That’s what I was trying to make him see. But time ran out. As time does.” He sighs again before taking a swig of his drink. “I can’t go back there, Kana. If I do, they will force my hand. I just want a quiet life with Jess.”

My heart aches for him. He didn’t ask to be born first any more than I asked to be born a woman. We have been loyal and dutiful children, but now we are grown and must chart our own paths.

I nod. “Of course. I understand more than anyone.”

“See, I knew you would, Kana. That is why you’re my favorite sister.”

I snort-laugh. “I’m your only sister.”

He winks. “Same difference.”