Regroup

Chapter Sixteen: Burden of Proof | Part 3

As Thirtyx and Seerla packed their things, they strained their ears for new information. But the whispers, albeit more insistent, had gotten quieter. Especially when Thirtyx was around.

All alone, Thirtyx’s fourth class was unbearable. While notes flitted between desks and hushed conversations surrounded him, he awaited an itch in his head that never came. Eventually, Professor Craen released a heavy sigh and perched on the edge of his desk. “Alright. I don’t have a single person’s attention, and now I’m out of the loop. What’s the latest?”

“The sword that attacked the guards was the same model as the one used in the Peace Garden attack on King Grimmary,” someone said.

“That and the bloodfire are raising suspicions that this wasn’t about the amulets or the Liamer family at all,” someone else chimed in.

Thirtyx’s stomach churned. He was beginning to understand all the sideways glances in his direction.

“The palace still hasn’t caught the Verith behind the Peace Garden attack,” said another voice. “He could be trying to weaken Grimmary’s army!”

Professor Craen crossed his arms. “Grimmary’s army? What does that have to do with the Liamer Forge?”

“Grimmary struck a deal with the Liamers to outfit the military,” said a 10th-year Devil who made a show of rolling her head to face Thirtyx. “Something we all learned during that auction for Terre Mackawn because Venmy knew about it.”

Every pair of eyes turned in his direction. He tried to get away with silence—they wouldn’t listen to him anyway. Besides, the intrusive memories of him fighting his way down the river, Selkies smashing him from either side, had dessicated his mouth and sent his heart into overdrive. When he managed to push those away, they were replaced by memories of the headmistress’ office, her barbed tail slicing through his skin…

“Venmagalion?” Thirtyx heard Craen’s voice through the blood pounding in his ears. “Care to respond to that?”

He swallowed in spite of his dry mouth and fought to stabilize his voice. “I had nothing to do with the attack on the Liamer Forge. I knew nothing about it, and even now, I don’t know any more than you all do. I don’t wish Sarlen’s family or Grimmary’s army any ill will.”

“Uh huh,” someone sneered. “Just like you didn’t have anything to do with those assassination attempts.”

Thirtyx inhaled to respond, but Professor Craen held up a hand. “Alright. That’s enough. We’ve gotten our update. Now, I want everyone to focus.”

Benn was waiting outside the classroom, his eyes more panicked than Thirtyx had seen them in a while. “We’re not going to lunch,” he said firmly. “Come on. We need to regroup.”

Benn offered no elaboration, so Thirtyx followed him silently to their room.

Rhea and Seerla were waiting inside. When Benn closed the door, he etched several sigils into the wood before turning away with a dark sigh. “They think the bombing is connected to the attacks on Grimm.”

“I heard,” Thirtyx said. “Same swords, plus the bloodfire.”

“The same bloodfire,” Rhea said. “They’ve already analyzed it. Word just hasn’t made it to the public yet.”

Seerla quirked an eyebrow but remained silent.

“On top of that, Grimm said the deal between the army and the forge was never publicly announced. There’s going to be a lot of scrutiny on anyone who knew,” Benn added.

Seerla nodded tersely. “Which includes Thirtyx, who told us all at the auction. Wait, what do you mean Grimmary said—”

“Not important, Seerla,” Rhea flashed her a pointed look. “Especially when there’s more. Grimm reached out to Arova to get a statement from the Verith state. No response. No one can even find her. It’s like she’s in the wind.”

Thirtyx’s eyebrows rose toward his hairline. “What— how does a government liaison just disappear like that?”

“We’re afraid everyone will be less concerned with the how than the why.” Benn had started pacing, wringing his fingers as he went. “It looks very much like she learned something she shouldn’t have and went into hiding as a result.”

“So the Veriths are behind this, then?” Thirtyx buried his face in his hands. “This is a nightmare.”

He felt Seerla’s hand settle onto his shoulder. “But you aren’t behind this. And we need to make sure everyone knows you aren’t behind this.”