Eric glances around the room, and then turns to Mason once more," And who would handle her training? We are swamped, Mason. The Kallah is turning all seventeen Districts upside down looking for the Seals. And I don't have enough people to keep up with them. I have no one to spare," There was an edge of desperation in Eric's tone and I felt for the man.
" Graham is an outsider just like me. Give him access to Zareen to train Lily. He is the best man for the job," Mason counters vehemently and I'm both saddened and happy. On the one hand, I'll be stuck in a hole underground for god knows how long. On the other hand, I'll be in a hole underground with Shay and Graham. Beggers can't be choosers.
" The window is small. And Micah will stop at nothing to get his hands on her...," Again. Mason sighs and tilts his head back to look up at the ceiling. He is exasperated.
Eric puts on his thinking face and I know now, that everything hangs on whether Micah finds the Seals or not.
" Do you know where the seals are? If you do, you need to tell me, Mason." Eric pleads, and I remember Micah saying that Mason had failed to produce the Seals of Yaruun. Whoever Yaruun is.
" How are things at home?" Mason is avoiding answering the question. I gather that he either has them or he knows where they are.
" How are the little ones?" Mason pushes on, without waiting for Eric to reply to his first question.
" Don't you dare bring them into this," Eric is on the verge of losing his temper.
" I'm not. Just a reminder of what is at stake if Micah succeeds. You want to protect what's yours. I understand that. But know this, I will stop at nothing to do the same. If it is not you, then I'll find another way. Decide which side you want to be on when everything goes to shit," Mason says through gritted teeth, and I feel guilty to my bones for being the cause of all the trouble.
Eric nods, stands up and once more looks around, at the people in the room with an apologetic smile on his face.
" If they will ever get a word that she is here. You know this place will become their primary focus. And everyone in it, Mason," Eric warns and Mason nods, solemnly.
" It won't," Eric nods, and I feel relieved for some reason, even though not even in my wildest imagination would've thought that an academy could hide something like this in its basement.
" She will be here tomorrow morning, " Mason says and looks at me.
" We need to find Graham and bring him up to date," Mason laughs and calls for Shay the next moment.
Shay blinks in front of Mason in a ball of light, and in the next second, they both blink out of existence.
Eric focuses all his attention on me for a few seconds, and I feel like my skin is on fire under his scrutiny.
" So," Eric drawls," How is your day?" Really? He seems uncomfortable in making conversation with me.
Someone tuts in the back, " Your wife would be very disappointed in you," I know that voice as belonging to Jacqueline.
A few laugh and Eric sighs, " I'm sorry. This is a bit unexpected. But I suppose we will have plenty of time to talk since you will be residing here, " He says, tucking his hands in his pockets, and looking around for a bit as if to familiarise himself with the surroundings. Or commit them to memory. I don't know.
" Shay," Eric calls when he thinks that Mason and Graham have had enough time to sort through their differences.
" - of a bitch," Graham punches Mason in the neck the moment they appear in the room. Mason staggers a few steps back and hits the table in the room. Everyone laughs but me.
Graham looks worse for wear but not as poorly as he was when I met him. Shay looks up, blinks a few times his electric blue eyes at me, and whines.
" You left me there to die," Graham rages, and Shay scuttles closer to my legs when Graham lunges at Mason anew.
He lands a few punches, but Mason catches the next and twists Graham's arm behind his back in such a graceful, fluid motion that leaves me looking at them with my mouth open wide.
" Calm down," Mason wipes the blood from the corner of his mouth and puts Graham in a chair.
" You said to wait. That she will call, " Graham pouts, and slumps in his chair the moment Mason lets go of his arm.
" She has. It has come to pass," Mason says curtly and Graham stands.
" Don't play your games with me. You think I wouldn't have known if she did," Graham points an accusatory finger at Mason, and Mason sighs.
Eric pinches the bridge of his nose, and sighs, " Enough, already," He scolds under his breath, while the others enjoy the little show.
" He started it," Graham grumbles, rubbing his arms. Eric begins to rub his temples, to assuage a rising headache. I feel one coming my way too.
" Graham. I'm not doing this again," Mason sighs," I told you it might take a while. And it did," Mason tucks one hand in his pocket and rubs his jaw with the other, wincing.
" Well, if you're unhappy with the recent events....," Eric drawls, smirking at Mason," Wait until you hear the rest," Eric smiles at Mason, eerily satisfied with himself.
" What now?" Graham asks and rises from his seat, looking around the room, and everyone pretends to be interested in something else other than the present conversation.
" I'll keep this short. I need you to train Lily," Mason begins and Graham finally notices that I'm in the room.
" Why?" Graham shoots the question in one single breath as he stands and properly looks at me.
" She has become a target for the Kallah. And I have no intention of leaving her unprotected," Mason adds with a somber gleam in his eyes," I'm sorry for what happened. If it's any consolation. Things have taken a different turn from what I predicted,"
Graham nods, " We will settle this in the usual way," He says and smirks at Mason.
" Give me a time and place. I'll be there," Mason says and they both shake hands.
" So, " Graham drawls," The prodigal son has returned," Mason laughs, and Eric is about to pop a vein. Clearly, the duo is not good for his blood pressure.