Crow’s barbs always rankled because Han was hungry for knowledge. He’d never worked so hard in his life. We could get a lot more done, Han thought, if we could trust each other. If we didn’t spend so much time carping at each other. It’s like we both want to be gang lord.

“Alister!” Crow’s voice broke into his thoughts. “You’re in a stupor.”

“Sorry. I’ll see you tomorrow night, then,” Han said. “Thank you for the lesson.” Taking hold of his amulet, he spoke the closing charm.

And opened his eyes to find light streaming in through the library windows.

He sat bolt upright, swearing. What time was it, anyway? The last thing he needed was to be late to Gryphon’s class. Again.

As if to answer his question, the bells in Mystwerk Tower began to sound. Bong-bong-bong, he counted to eight.

Bones. He was in trouble.

He didn’t have time to pick his way across the roofs. He barreled down the narrow staircases, circling around and around to the ground floor. Fortunately, there was no proficient on duty yet. He plowed through the front doors and smashed right into Fiona Bayar, nearly knocking her to the ground.

He grabbed hold of her arm to keep her upright. “Sorry, I…ah…didn’t see you.”

Mam was right, he thought. You are demon-cursed.

Fiona was nearly as tall as Han, so she looked him straight in the eyes. “Just because you’re late to class, Alister, doesn’t mean you can run people over,” she said. She looked down at his hand on her arm, and he let go quickly.

Han jerked his head toward Mystwerk Hall. “Come on. We’re late as is.”

“What were you doing in the library?” she asked.

“Getting an early start on my reading.”

“The library isn’t even open yet.”

“That way it’s nice and quiet.” Han began walking, not looking back to see if she was following.

“Your face is improved,” Fiona said, trotting to catch up. When he said nothing, she persisted. “The sling is gone, so I assume your broken arm is healed?”

“Collarbone, actually,” Han said. It gave him twinges now and then.

“What exactly happened?” she asked as they entered Mystwerk Hall.

“I tripped on the stairs.”

Fiona snorted.

“No, really,” he said. “Ask your brother.” They mounted the steps to the lecture hall.

“That should never have happened,” Fiona said. “My brother doesn’t always think things through.”

Han grabbed the rail to keep from stumbling. Was she saying she was sorry?

“Our father won’t be happy when he hears,” Fiona went on, as if listening in on his thoughts. “He wants you brought back alive for questioning before you’re hanged for murder.”

“Hey now, fair’s fair,” he said as he opened the door to the lecture hall. “If I do the dangle stretch for murder, then so should Lord Bayar.”