Sonea woke up suddenly and opened her eyes just a little, giving them time to adjust to the light. Anxiety increased in her when she realized that she wasn't in her room. It was still night, she could not sleep for more than a minute.
A bed creaked quietly. She was not alone.
The familiar black eyes stared at her thoughtfully. He was sitting on the bed, back leaning against the headboard and... he was alive.
- Akkarin – she sighed, falling into his arms.
She clung to him, absorbing his closeness. Hesitantly he embraced her waist.
On the breast she sensed strong heartbeat, but whether it was her heart, or his, she didn't know. All merged into one.
- You left me alone – she reproached.
Relief, that filled her, made the bump in her throat swell even more.
- Sonea, don't...
She didn't give him a chance to finish, finding his mouth immediately. They seemed chilly under her feverish lips.
Akkarin tensed when she touched his bare skin on the back. She didn't have time to wonder why he wasn't fully clothed and was wearing only shorts that were part of a disguise, which he usually used in the Slums.
She was kissing him firmly, craving for as much as possible of him.
His hands fell on her buttocks, outlined the line of her hips and went up, carrying her nightgown until they reached her breasts.
Now she was almost naked. It did not matter. Again, she was in his arms.
Akkarin caressed her gently, making that a delicious thrill was overcoming her body again and again. His lips brushed the skin of her neck, causing she drew near to the edge of insanity.
She tangled fingers in his hair, drew his head nearer and pressed lips against his lips, not wanting to part with them even for a moment.
He pushed her away a little, breathing quickly.
- We had decided otherwise.
How could he think so after what happened?
- I had not decided that - she said, cuddling up to his neck.
Blood nicely roared in his veins.
He withdrew hands from under her nightgown, then grabbed her by the shoulders and pushed her away to be able to look her in the face.
- You should go now – he said in the hard tone, although his feverish eyes were saying something completely different.
She didn't move at first, but he was not going to let her get close once more. With increasing bitterness she watched as his eyes freeze.
At last she broke away from him.
- I thought you were dead - Sonea cried reproachfully. - And you are...
She ran out of her words.
She stood up immediately and headed to the door. She accelerated pace when she heard movement behind. Malicious tears were crowding behind her eyelids, and she had no intention to show him her weakness.
- Master! – Takan's terrified scream suddenly cut the silence of the Residence.
Sonea burst out into the corridor, looking for the source of the voice. The relieve, that Takan also escaped death, was replaced by the worry that something bad happened to the servant.
- Hold on, Sonea - Akkarin called.
She heard his footsteps behind her, but she didn't stop.
- Sonea!
In the tone of Akkarin's voice sounded warning and anxiety, but before she could think thoroughly about it, she struck into a barrier, which had emerged in the middle of the corridor. If she had run, it would have hurt more, but still her head was spinning awhile.
- I warned you to be stopped - Akkarin said angrily.
She felt his hands on her shoulders. Magician made sure that she wasn't injured and pulled her behind him. Strong shield stretched around them both.
Takan was standing at the top of the stairs, staring at the door to her room.
- Stay here - Akkarin said, looking at the drops of congealed blood on the floor just before the doorstep.
Momentary she understood. Akkarin didn't know yet.
Obviously he did not know.
Everything came back: the slave, fear of death, the impression of stabbing knife into flesh, and blood, so much blood... and then even greater concern about Akkarin.
- The spy - she murmured.
Akkarin looked at her with furrowed brow, then looked at the door and they opened a crack. A small globe of light lit up the interior.
Sachakan's body were lying on the floor in a pool of blood, exactly as she left it.
She heard Takan's sigh of disbelief. Akkarin entered the room, scanned the room and turned back to her.
- Sonea? – he said in hoarse voice, then he found himself beside her in two steps and locked her in his arms.
- Why didn't you tell me right away?
She would have been happy to reply to this question and she would announced a few other things, but he was squeezing her so tightly that she had problems with taking the air in the lungs.
- What happened? How did he get here? – He wanted to know.
- Akkarin – Sonea gasped, letting go the last of the air in her lungs.
He loosened a hug and grabbed her face in hands. Before he released her, he was looking at her for a long time, stroking her cheek with finger. He took a deep nervous breath.
- Did you fight with him? - He asked.
- No. I've just...
She glanced at spy's body, and Akkarin followed her gaze.
- I see... – he muttered. - Tell me what happened.
She felt strangely calm, reporting on the tonight's events and justifying the decisions she made. When she finished, Akkarin approached Sachakan's body, he knelt down and began to watch him closely.
She eventually dared to cross the doorstep, and Takan came behind her. Akkarin was frowning, judging the wound on spy's neck.
- He was too confident, not even surrounding himself with a shield. You cut through the artery in his neck. I think that's why you made it. That's why he didn't fight back.
An unpleasant memories of resistance of blade cutting through the flesh and blood flooding her hands came back to her mind. Sonea grimaced.
- I must create a blood gem for you. - Akkarin looked at her, rising from above the corpse. - If you have had it today, you could have contacted me.
She nodded.
- You would have fought with him in the Residence? - She asked, certain that if he had known, he would have came to save her.
He denied.
- I wouldn't even have gotten here on time. - He said quietly. - I was deep in the Slums. I would have told you to flee.
- How? - She turned, looking around.
- I don't know. Through the window, perhaps. - He glanced over his shoulder at the wall, on which was the only window in her room. - Anyhow. - He shrugged. - I wouldn't let you even try this risky plan, which you attempted.
- But it worked. – The note of rebellion sounded in her voice.
- Yes. Coincidence. You were extremely lucky - he said gravely.
She opened her mouth, but she didn't know what to say. Akkarin was right. She was lucky. She had tried, because it seemed to her that there is no other choice. She didn't think about something so trivial as to escape through the window.
- Why didn't you hear anything? - Akkarin turned to Takan, who were standing in the shade of the wall and just listened to the conversation so far.
- Forgive me, Master. I had to fall asleep – He explained apologetically.
They were looking at each other for awhile, then Takan nodded, as if agreeing to something that was agreed during a quiet conversation.
- We will deal with the body, then you will clean it up - Akkarin said, then began explaining details of the plan.
She yawned, not knowing what to do and embraced herself as she began to feel the chilliness.
- Go to sleep, Sonea - Akkarin said gently.
She glanced at the bed. Bedspread was stained with already congealed blood.
- Go to my bed - he added.
Sonea felt something warm under her hand so she opened eyes. She had to fall asleep, even though it seemed impossible to her previously.
In the gray light of new day she recognized Akkarin's shape. He was laying on his back, eyes closed and hands under his head. He was close, but not as close as she wanted him to be. She moved to his side.
She held her breath, when he suddenly embraced her with arm. He wasn't sleeping.
- I can not believe that the Residence is not safe enough. - He inhaled air nervously.
She lifted her head and met a serious look of his black eyes. Before he leaned to her mouth, he clenched her tightly to himself.
- I can not bear the thought that I could have lost you - he whispered and then kissed her.
It was a most intimate confession she had ever received from him. At the mouth she felt his soft lips, under her hand - the warmth of his skin on the chest. Anxiety that tortured her for weeks, had disappeared like dust through summer rain.
- The spy? – She asked sleepily.
- It's done - he said. - The barrier in the underground passage was intact when I returned tonight. I checked other signatures in the house. All of them were intact too. Only after some time I'd found a place through which he got inside. He simply entered the residence through the window.
Sonea listened to the tone of his voice, but didn't hear the details. At this time they had no meaning for her. They were insignificant. Irrelevant.
Instead, she focused on the beating of his heart, which she could've sensed under her hand. Her eyelids became more and more heavy, so she finally gave up and drifted into the embrace of sleep.
It seemed to her that she slept only a few seconds and it might be so, because when she opened her eyes again, she was still lying close to Akkarin.
He smiled, seeing that she woke up.
She looked closer at the shadows under his eyes.
- Did you sleep at all? - She asked, stifling a yawn.
She didn't want to get up yet, but the sky outside the window was already bright.
- A little - he replied. - I should get up and walk around the Guild again. At night I went out to check whether the spy had visited somebody else. Everything seemed to be in the best order, but only when the day stand up for good, I'll be sure of it.
Sonea swallowed. She hadn't thought about it before. She carried the power of so many murdered people, she couldn't bear the thought that the spy could have killed somebody else in the Guild.
- Take it from me - she said, grabbing his hand and almost immediately sending a continuous stream of energy.
- Stop for a moment, Sonea - Akkarin said.
She obeyed him, and raised herself on one elbow to look at him, but at the same moment she felt his presence on the edge of her consciousness.
- Are you sure, you didn't fight? - He asked.
- I am. Why do you ask?
- It's… weird - he said. - I would swear that you should have more power.
Sonea focused on her source of power, but she couldn't determine whether she had a lot of it or not. Although Akkarin could somehow.
- Then I have to assume that it was not a spy, who killed those people, whose corpses were found after the arsons.
She didn't know what does it mean to them. Perhaps the arsons were just a mere acts of arson.
After his encouragement she resumed the flow of energy, then fell back on the pillow, when she had finished.
- Takan - Akkarin said suddenly, staring into the distance with the unseeing eyes.
He lifted out of bed and began to put each successive layer of black robes on.
- Your servant came to wake you up – he explained in response to her questioning look.
An icy shiver appeared at the base of her spine. What if Viola sees the traces of blood in her room? Did Takan cleaned it comprehensively enough?
- Wee look after all at night. You shouldn't worry - Akkarin said, noticing her concern. - Just don't go out of the room.
When he came out, Sonea slipped from the bed and walked to the door. Akkarin probably had been expecting this, because he left them opened a little.
Akkarin's room was on the longer wall of corridor, and even she wasn't able to see this place from her room, she had a perfect view of the entire corridor from here. At the moment Sonea peered through the crack, a small figure of a woman leaned out from her room. Viola jumped at the sight of the magician in black robes.
- High Lord, Sonea is not in her the room.
Akkarin stopped next to her as if reluctantly.
- Should she be? – he asked indifferently.
- I wake her up every morning - woman explained.
- Perhaps she already left.
- In the nightgown? - Violla asked, genuinely surprised. – Her bed is immaculately made today. Her clothes are in place. I've counted, they are all in the closet. How could have she gone in the nightgown? – she added with a conspiratorial tone.
- Do you think I should check out what my novice wears? – Akkarin asked with an unhidden sarcasm in voice.
- Of course not. I didn't want it to sound like that. Forgive me, High Lord – she stammered, scared.
- I hope so - said the magician.
What a hypocrite, Sonea stifled a chuckle. Whereas in some time, she would know how to manipulate and lie so smoothly and without hesitating as Akkarin did? Probably yes...
- I am sure that Sonea will come soon. But since she isn't here now, you can leave.
The servant bowed low. Akkarin waited until Violla had disappeared from the sight, and he entered Sonea's room. She went after him.
The interior looked really neat and so blameless, as if someone had just cleaned it precisely. She turned around several times, looking carefully, but never noticed traces of blood.
- Your servant is taking note of details. It's not good for us - Akkarin said.
Sonea glanced at him. He stood leaning on her desk, folded arms on his chest.
- You may dismiss her - she said, slightly amused at the thought.
- No. That would be too suspicious. I have to think about something else.
She sat down with a sigh at the edge of the bed. She didn't imagine that she would ever fall asleep here again. Certainly not alone.
- You made very well yesterday, Sonea - he said, guessing her feelings.
- At least there is peace again and you don't have to hunt for him any longer.
- Yes, there is peace. For some time - he answered.
Sonea climbed to the top floor of the University and made her way down the corridor that Akkarin directed her. She paused confused. The passage had to be somewhere nearby, unless she hadn't remembered the building plans well enough.
A tall figure wrapped in a large coat leaned out from behind a corner and stopped at the wall. If she didn't know that it was Akkarin, she would be frightened to death.
She came to him quickly, wondering why he wanted to meet her in such a place, and what he was doing in disguise within the University.
He stretched out hand, the blood gem wrapped in silver ring rested on his palm.
- You left the ring. You should always carry it with you - he said quietly.
Indeed, she left it on the desk in her room. She sighed and reluctantly clenched her hand on a bloody gem.
She had nothing to hide, but simultaneously she didn't like the truth that she was giving all her thoughts, without even knowing it. I wonder if it works at all, she thought, because she didn't sensed any change.
The corners of Akkarin's mouth twitched slightly upward. Under the hood she couldn't see his eyes.
- I've promised, that I will inform you the next time I'll be going to the Slums - he said. - You should stay longer in the library tonight.
She felt alarmed. What was going on that he had to go to the Slums again? Could the new spy appeared so soon? And why Akkarin was going alone again?
- This is just an ordinary encounter with Thief - he muttered, approaching her closer.
He leaned over and kissed her. In order not to tear away from her too quickly, she threw her arms around his neck precautionary. The rough hood's fabric had been scratching her face. She pulled the hood to get rid of it. Akkarin instantly clenched hands on her wrist, preventing it and pressed her arms against the wall.
Behind her was the wall, on the face she felt the hood's material, on the lips - his breath. Almost the same as in the lane in the Slums, she thought, amused.
~ You made me lost control then, Sonea.
She felt a tickles in her stomach, hearing his confession.
~ From the moment you presented your plan, I knew it was a bad idea.What I wanted was to be too close.I could too easily lose my composure.And so it happened.I could not resist.
Memories of those moments in the lane swept over her. Longing that he woke in her, the surprise when he brushed her lips and the warmth overflowing her body when she felt his desire, his pressing body and aroused manhood.
Akkarin chuckled.
Hot wave poured through Sonea, as she realized that she still held a bloody gem in her hand and Akkarin was aware of all her thoughts. Even the most intimate ones.
She wished to hide the ring in the pocket, but he didn't let her.
He closed his hand on her fist and pressed her body against the wall, his lips crushed hers eagerly. The embarrassment disappeared as quickly as appeared. She felt his desire again, just as then, in the lane. She sighed contented, giving herself to pleasure.
- What does it mean to be? - She heard the furious cry somewhere in the vicinity.
Surprised, she painfully struck her head against the wall behind her, taking her mouth from Akkarin's. She looked over a shoulder of black magician, who didn't even move, and saw Lord Garrel.
At the same time Sonea felt hot and cold inside.
Akkarin swore under his breath.
~ Go.Maybe he didn't recognize you – she sent.
He hesitated only a moment.
He let go of her and disappeared around the corner into the nearest hallway. She took two steps forward to block out the way to Garrel. The magician was heading toward her with long steps, and anger seemed to evaporate from him.
- Who was it? – He yelled.
Sonea looked at him warily. Didn't he recognize Akkarin, or was he just testing her?
- Who was it? Answer me – he said impatiently.
- Who? - She asked, withdrawing a bit, because the magician came uncomfortably close.
He smiled scornfully.
- The beggar, whom you brought to the University.
Garrel peered into the corridor, in which Akkarin just disappeared.
- Where is he? – He turned to her, looking at her suspiciously, because the corridor was empty, although it was not connected with any other.
~ Keep him busy for some time. - Sonea heard Akkarin's voice in her mind.
She was still clutching the ring in her hand. Akkarin saw everything what she saw. Very well. She put a ring on finger and focused on the magician once more.
- Leave me alone. It's none of your business – she snapped.
- How dare you speak to me in such haughty manner? – he yelled.
She felt a twinge of guilt that she responded so brazenly to another magician, and then the revolt raised inside her. After all, Garrel was the one, who was attacking her. She had to defend herself.
~ This one time I give you permission.
The thought that High Lord of the Guild urged her to rude behavior against another magician, amused her.
~ Make him angry – Akkarin sent.
~ What?
~ Provoke him to say something that he will be ashamed of later.
- You've brought here a beggar. I saw.
She shrugged her shoulders, looking at Garrel rebelliously.
- If you do not want to talk, perhaps I should take you to the Administrator Lorlen. Then you will start talking – he threatened.
- Perhaps it seemed to you that you saw something, Lord Garrel. - She smiled innocently. - And even if it does not, as far as I know, there is no law against welcoming guests in the Guild.
- Guests? – Magician's face get purple. - Only magicians can invite guests, not novices.
- But I'm a High Lord's novice – she said insolently.
~ Don't overdo. – Sonea sensed Akkarin's amusement.
- You were hugging some beggar. You almost copulating with him in the University building – he shrieked, derived from the balance.
She snorted, unable to stop laughing. Copulating? Who was using such words at all?
- Wait until High Lord learns about it. – he threatened.
Sonea became serious.
She was more and more convinced that Garrel didn't recognize Akkarin.
~ We will see soon. - Black magician told her.
A black-robed figure appeared at the end of the corridor. Sonea breathed a sigh of relief.
- You called a mentor for help? - Garrel hissed through clenched teeth, unbelieving his eyes. - In that case, I promise you that I did not leave this matter alone.
She grimaced because of a hunch that the magician didn't throw words to the wind, however she didn't understand why Akkarin's sight infuriated him so much. He wanted to call him before, didn't he?
- High Lord. - Garrel bowed respectfully when Akkarin had just a few steps to overcome, but the tension visible in the whole attitude of the magician, testified he was nervous.
Akkarin fixed piercing and unweaving eyes on him.
- Lord Garell, Sonea didn't have to call me. Your voice was carrying all over the floor - he said coldly.
Magician paled, then reddened on his face. Sonea was convinced that terrified him the fact that Akkarin heard it, although he should not.
- What did my novice perpetrate? – Akkarin asked.
- She... - Garrel cleared his throat. – she brought here a male.
- Really? - Akkarin raised one eyebrow, glancing at Sonea.
She had to suppress laughter, which irresistibly wanted to get away from her breast.
- I didn't forbid Sonea to receive guests - Akkarin observed. - Therefore I'm not going to attach greater importance to this incident.
Garrel opened his mouth as if to protest, but changed his mind.
- Goodbye, Lord Garell - Akkarin said. - Sonea - he called, leaving confused magician behind.
She rushed to his side, but when she was passing Garrel, the magician threw her a nasty look. From now on, he will not give her any peace, she understood.
- He didn't figured it out. He didn't recognize you - she muttered, when they found themselves on the stairs.
~ Yes, he didn't.
She sensed his amusement, and smiled broadly. Akkarin answered her with a mischievous smile, and after a moment he laughed at loud.
~ I'm afraid that you'll soon have to face the unpleasantness – he sent.
She grimaced, recalling the words of Garrel. In that case, I promise you that I did not leave this matter alone.
~ We had bad luck that it was Garrel who run into us. He would never miss the opportunity to tell others about the incident.On the other hand, he is known for his fondness for embellish gossips, therefore I do not think that anyone is going to be moved by this one.
I can't help it, Sonea thought, she had no intention of escaping difficulties. She couldn't figured out only one thing. Why Akkarin didn't forbade magician to tell anyone about it.
~ The attempt to shut Garrel's mouth, would have only provoked his interest in this matter.
She paused, noting that Akkarin stopped. She looked into his face.
~ Sonea, the every time I come close to you, someone undesirable appears, as if everything around conspired to remind me what is at stake.- He paused, staring at her with piercing eyes.- As if everyone wanted to recall how should I care for my novice.
She felt the fear that Akkarin will push her away once more. Could he be so concerned by the fact that he still was her mentor formally?
~ Does it concern me?
The corners of his mouth twitched upward, but then he grew serious, glancing over her shoulder. She turned around and sighed anxiously, noticing Lorlen.
The Administrator was staring at them, evaluating.
- Go to the library - Akkarin muttered.
- Administrator. – She bowed, crossing Lorlen.
The magician smiled, but then horror filled his eyes. She looked at her hand, which, as it seemed to her, attracted his attention.
Blood gem.
Sonea sighed, resigned. Everything went wrong today.
- How could you? - She heard Lorlen's full of bitterness voice, before she disappeared around the corner.
Akkarin will also have to deal with unpleasantness. Good luck, Sonea thought, feeling grim amusement. She pulled ring from the finger and hid it in her pocket.