compelling him. Compulsion is complicated.”
“What about the gluma that came after me?” Alex asked.
“I don’t know,” said Sandow. “But I suspect whoever sent that … monster for
Darlington sent the gluma after you as well. They didn’t want Lethe investigating.”
“Who?” demanded Alex. “Colin? Kate? How did they get their hands on a gluma?”
Had they deliberately used a monster that would cast suspicion on Book and Snake?
You asked me to tell you what you were getting into. Now you know. That was what Darlington had said after he’d unleashed the jackals on her. But had he known? Had he understood that his own intelligence, his love of Lethe and its mission, would paint a target on his back?
“We’ll find out,” Sandow said. “I promise you that, Alex. I won’t rest until it’s done.
Colin Khatri has been questioned. It’s clear he and Tara were experimenting heavily together. With portal magic, money spells, very dangerous stuff. It’s not apparent who was
the instigator, but Tara wanted to go deeper and she wouldn’t let Colin put on the brakes,
not if he and the society wanted more of the … assistance she was providing.”
Because Tara had gotten a taste of something more. She’d glimpsed true power and she
knew it was her one chance to take it.
“She was essentially extorting him,” said Sandow. “All of it a disgrace—and all of it happening right beneath my nose.” He slumped in his wheelchair. He looked old and gray.
“You were in danger and I didn’t protect you. You were keeping the spirit of Lethe alive,
and I was so focused on Darlington’s disappearance, on trying to make it seem as if all was well, on maintaining an illusion for the alumni. It was … It is shameful. Your tenacity is a credit to Lethe, and both Turner and I will say so in our reports to the board.”
“And what does she get for her trouble?” asked Dawes, arms crossed. “You were so eager to wash your hands of Tara’s murder, Alex almost died twice.”
“Three times,” noted Alex.
“Three times. She should get something for it.”
Alex’s brows rose. Since when was Dawes part hustler?
But Sandow just nodded. This was the world of quid pro quo.
See, Darlington? Alex thought. Even I know a little Latin.
Turner rose. “Whatever bullshit you all come up with, I don’t want to hear it. You can
dress this up in talk, but Blake Keely, Colin Khatri, Kate Masters—they’re rich kids getting wasted and wrapping a sports car they have no business driving around a tree.” He
gave Alex’s shoulder a gentle squeeze on his way out. “I’m glad no one ran you over. Try
not to get your ass kicked for a week or two.”
“Try not to buy any new suits.”
“I make no promises.”
Alex watched him saunter away. She wanted to say something to call him back, to make him stay. Good-guy Turner with his shiny badge. Sandow was looking at his clasped
hands as if he were concentrating on a particularly difficult magic trick. Maybe he’d unfold his palms and release a dove.
“I know this semester has been a struggle,” he said at last. “It’s possible I could help
you with that.”
Alex forgot Turner and the pain smoldering in her side. “How?”
He cleared his throat. “I could, possibly, make sure you pass your classes. I don’t think
it would be wise to go too far, but—”
“A 3.5 GPA should do it,” said Dawes.
Alex knew she should say no, that she wanted to earn her way. It was what Darlington
would do, what Dawes would do, probably what Mercy and Lauren would do. But Tara would say yes. Opportunity was opportunity. Alex could be honest next year. Still …
Sandow had agreed too fast. What exactly were the terms of this bargain?
“What’s going to happen to Scroll and Key?” Alex asked. “To Manuscript? To all of these assholes?”
“There will be disciplinary action. Heavy fines.”
“Fines? They tried to kill me. They as good as killed Darlington.” “The trust of each House of the Veil has been contacted, and a meeting will be held in Manhattan.”