I left the library, wondering if maybe I should just set fire to every single camera that was pointed in my direction. Sure, that seemed a little extreme, but my relationship with Iannis was worth any price. Guess I’d have to ask him about it during our lesson and see if he had a better solution.

27

“So where exactly are we going again?” Rylan asked in my head as we raced through the Mages Quarter on my steambike. “And why couldn’t we have grabbed some food first?”

I rolled my eyes, even though nobody would be able to see them behind my bike helmet. “I already told you—we’re going to Jonias Ballos’s house to see if he can tell me more about my father.”

“I would have thought you’d want to draw as little attention to your relationship with your father as possible, after what Janta told you,” Rylan said, tightening his grip around my waist as I whipped around a corner faster than strictly necessary. I could feel the disapproving glares of the residential mages on my back, and I grinned a little. I knew they hated the sight of my rebellious steambike racing through their genteel streets, and I made a point of doing it as often as possible to let them know I wasn’t going anywhere, and they were just going to have to deal.

“That’s true, but since Ballos is a hermit, he isn’t going to run around and tell everyone. And since Iannis cancelled our lesson, I don’t have anything better to do.” Some dignitary had unexpectedly popped in for a visit, leaving me with a bit of free time. Rylan and I could have sparred or something, but my need to learn more about my father had been gnawing away at my thoughts until I could think of nothing else. Better to get this over with now, so I could move on to more important things.

“I hope this doesn’t backfire on you somehow,” Rylan said, uncharacteristically serious. “After all that you’ve been through, I just want you to be safe.”

“I know.” My heart warmed, and I found myself once more grateful for the fact that I had a family member who loved me. “I just think you might be being a little optimistic, considering my track record.”

Rylan laughed. “I guess you’re right.”