Page 118 of The Deadliest Candidate

It was the weapon he’d held to Srivastav’s throat. She hadn’t even realised he’d taken it from her.

“I must thank you for lending this to me,” Lautric said. His voice was quiet, now, devoid of emotion. “Best not to part with it again, Fern.”

And then he turned, and left, and Fern stood trembling in the atrium of the Mage Hall, forcing her frantic heart to still itself. She closed her fingers on the pommel of her dagger and squeezed hard.

And she made a vow to herself.

No matter what it took, no matter the cost, she would not rest until she discovered why Lautric was here and what he was trying to do.

And then she would rip him out of Carthane once and for all.

THE END