With nothing more to say, I gave Ballos one last look, then collected Rylan from the parlor and left. Stepping out into the last rays of the setting sun, I tried to feel grateful that, for the most part, I had come out on top. But as I stared out at the dilapidated yard, and the horizon beyond, all I could feel was sadness.

“You okay?” Rylan asked, setting his hand on my shoulder. “Seems like you might have gotten more than you bargained for out of the old man.”

“I just feel unwanted,” I admitted, turning to face him. “I mean, I don’t doubt that my mother loved me once I was born, but I was clearly the result of an accident.”

“Maybe, but your entrance into our lives was wonderful all the same,” Rylan said, giving me a hug. “You’re a treasure, cousin, and judging by the entirely inappropriate looks the Chief Mage gives you when he thinks no one is looking, I’m not the only one who thinks so.”

I laughed, smacking him on the chest. “You’re not serious!” I said, stepping back to see the twinkle of mischief in Rylan’s eyes. Iannis had an incredibly good poker face—no way would he let that sort of thing show in public.

“One-hundred-percent serious,” Rylan said, grinning. “He’s got the hots for you.”

“Oh, stop.” I laughed again, shaking my head as we began heading down the steps. “You’re ridiculous sometimes.”

“Yeah, but you love me anyway. Now, where are we going next?”

I thought about it for a moment. “I’d like to go to Com’s,” I said. “I want to tell him about what I learned, and see if he’s checked on Noria at all.”

“Oh, yeah,” Rylan said, his face sobering as he held the gate open for me. “Her hearing is coming up pretty soon, isn’t it?”

“In two days,” I said as we got onto my steambike. “Noria doesn’t want to see me, so I haven’t tried to visit her. Hopefully, Com has talked some sense into her.”

“I wouldn’t bet on it,” Rylan warned as I started up the engine. “She’s stubborn, that one.”

* * *

“So you are a direct descendant of Resinah?” Comenius asked, sounding very impressed. We were sitting around his dining table along with Elania, eating pot roast—by lucky chance, Rylan and I had shown up just in time for dinner. “It’s a pity you cannot use that information publicly. I’m sure many of the mages who look down on you would be changing their tune.”

I shrugged as I forked up a piece of carrot. “I don’t know about that,” I said. “I feel like there will always be a few who are determined to look down at me no matter what.”