He scoffs. “This type of ignorance is how Pages get hurt or killed. What you saw in the sky was mage flame. A byproduct of aether, an element in the air that only some people can see and fewer still can manipulate. Different Legendborn use aether to do different things. Some create constructs like weapons, armor, shields. William uses it to accelerate healing.”

That name again. Their healer. Someone who helped me even though he doesn’t know me. Sudden shame washes over me in a wave. Nick rescued me, made sure my injuries were treated, and I’d just antagonized him. “Thanks,” I finally murmur, “for helping me. And thank William.”

He looks me over again and notes the tremor in my fingers. His face turns patient and open. “I’ll let him know. But if you’re looking for a thank-you gift, I’m a fan of honesty.”

I struggle for words. “I just wanted to know what I saw. What I’m seeing,” I say softly. The memory of the other Merlin from the hospital rises—and immediately turns sour. The flashback threatens to take me in front of this boy that I don’t know. I need that memory. And I will use it. But I can’t let it have me. Not now. Instead, I strengthen my wall and wrap myself around the easier facts. “Last night at the Eno Quarry, I saw something. Flickering light in the shape of a flying… thing. Sel and Tor were there. Sel did something to me and these guys to make us forget and walk away. His mesmer, I guess? But after a minute, it didn’t work anymore. I hid. Then Sel and Tor—”

“Wait.” Nick’s hand shoots up. “Say that again.”

“Sel and Tor—”

He waves his hand impatiently. “No, no, before that.”

“Sel did something to make me leave and forget, but after a minute it didn’t work on me?”

“Yeah, that part. Not possible, Pageling. Mesmered memories don’t come back.” His eyes fill with an emotion I can’t read. “Believe me, I’d know.”

I shrug, picking at the edge of the sheet. “Well, sorry,” I say, copying his condescending tone, “but that’s what happened, Legendborn.”

Nick examines my face. He looks at me for so long and the room is so silent that I’m certain he can hear my heartbeat quicken. His eyes drop to my mouth, my chin, my hands still shaking on my lap. He sucks in a sharp breath. “You’re—you’re serious, aren’t you? About everything. You aren’t a Northern or Western spy.”

“No.”

“But if you can break Sel’s mesmer, then he’d…” Nick stops, his eyes wide as dinner plates, the color draining from his face with some understanding about me that I don’t follow.

I shove myself upright as my adrenaline spikes. “Then he’d what?”

“WHERE IS HE?”