From what Mei could see on the celk screen that had been set up in the peri-something array room, Dwayne was winning. The other two examinees weren’t smiling and their pencils weren’t moving half as fast, the baron’s was hardly writing at all and the dean’s was scowling at her work. Unfortunately, no one in the room seemed to care. Served by attendants in hooded clay-brown cloaks, all of the Sourans ignored the celk screen and the chest high time-glass, preferring instead to talk to each other or to rest in upholstered chairs. The only exception was Dean Bruce, who watched Dwayne with the intensity of a starved hawk.

  She had to be searching for the License Key. Before Mei came back, Fran had told her about the dean’s attempt to separate the key from Dwayne, although the timing was odd. Bruce knew Dwayne was Ri, his library encounter with her and the notes Mei had stolen made that clear, but instead of going for the Qe core, Bruce had gone for the one thing that Dwayne didn’t need today. The reason why had to be connected to Granite’s true goal.

  Unfortunately, since finding proof of Bruce’s connection to Granite, Mei had found nothing new, even after night after night of searching tavern and rooftop. After her break-ins, both Bruce College and Sen Jerome had forbidden visitors and barricaded themselves with guards, even during the daytime. Maybe the spy could get past all that security, but Mei could not, and so any new information about Huan’s whereabouts was out of reach. She almost regretted rejecting his offer to join him, but she wouldn’t have been able to even pretend to be a part of whatever Granite had planned. All she could do now was stop him, them.

  As for the License Key, it had to be why her brother had come to Sanford five days ago since his claim that he’d come to recruit her had to be a lie. Otherwise, he wouldn’t have been on the rooftop next door, looking for a way in. Still, his attempt meant that the License Key was still important to Granite. Maybe Dean Bruce had known there was no way the examiners would take it from Dwayne. Maybe she’d just wanted to know where it was.

  If so, Mei couldn’t leave her alone.

  Grabbing a goblet of wine, Mei approached. “Dean.”

  “Mei,” Bruce’s eyes didn’t leave the screen, “I see you and young Kalan now have matching uniforms.”

  “I am Head Guard.”

  The dean’s jaw worked. “A pity.”

  On the screen, Dwayne paused to review his work.

  “You didn’t ask for his Qe.”

  The dean’s eyes flicked to Mei’s. “You mean his core.”

  “I said what I said.”

  “What would have been the point?” The dean’s attention returned to the screen. “It’s a crutch. It can’t turn a novice into a master.”

  “Without crutches, the limp can’t walk.”

  That got the dean’s attention again. “As such, it would be foolish not to have a back up.”

  Mei hid a wince. A backup Qe core would have been a good idea. “Are you concerned about the License Key? Someone has been trying to steal it.”

  “How bold of them.” The dean watched Dwayne continue reviewing. “Perhaps it was foolish to entrust it to one like him.”

  “He can take care of himself.” Mei turned to watch the screen. She didn’t know where the License Key was, although it probably wasn’t in the coat Dwayne had draped over the back of his chair, not when it had been nabbed from there so easily. Still, it had to be within reach. “He’s done so before.”

  “Has he now?”

  Dwayne leaned forward and resumed writing, and for just an instant, something with a sharp corner pressed against the inside of the left side of his shirt. The License Key. Mei glanced at the dean, who was still watching Dwayne intently. Maybe she hadn’t noticed.

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  Still, time for a distraction.

  Mei lowered her voice. “We know Granite.”

  The dean faced Mei, nostrils flaring. “And I know who broke into my offices.” And just like that, Mei confirmed that Bruce was Granite. “I don’t know how, but only two people wanted to, and only one of them knows you.”

  Mei affected a shrug. “I’m only trying to keep my brother safe.”

  “Are you?” The dean leaned close, her voice a whisper. “Then why did you not capture him when he came to Sanford? Surely that,” she pointed at Mei’s rifle, “is enough to compel him.”

  Doing that would not have made Huan feel safe, only chained. “I want to convince him.”

  “So naive.” Bruce straightened up. “Despite your considerable skill, its clear that you’re unfit for what’s coming.”

  “What is coming?”

  “The waters of the pure and the flames of the righteous.” The dean grinned. “They’ll scour this land clean of corruption, transforming it into paradise.” She gestured at Dwayne. “He won’t survive to see it.”

  Mei did not draw a weapon, did not fire a bullet into that grin, or sink a blade into that proud chest. Those would have only ended Granite’s life, not her plans.

  Instead, Mei said, “No.”

  “No, what?” Baron Thadden interposed himself between them. “What are you two discussing while this farce proceeds?”

  “Nothing that concerns you, Baron.” Bruce nearly spat the title. “Surely, you can’t be leaving the poor professor to his own devices?”

  Thadden waved this off. “Oh, I’ve made it clear where I stand, but,” he waggled his eyebrows, “I could convey your position to him, if you’d like.”

  “You really think,” hissed Bruce, “that Artemisia Lucchesi and Tor Jensen can be convinced by a toad like Wesley Corn?”

  Thadden shrugged. “It’s more than you have.”

  Glad there was someone else to distract Bruce, Mei stepped away as standing in the dean’s presence any longer would result in blood. She intercepted an attendant, grabbed a pastry from his tray, then went to stand next to the time-glass. Judging by how much sand was left, she had enough time to go upstairs, find Fran, Maggie, and Lady Pol, and figure out what to do next. She turned to go.

  “You’re leaving.” Tor Jensen kept his eyes on his salad. “Are you not young Kalan’s guard?”

  Mei bowed. “Yes, Your Lordness.”

  “Ah,” Jensen’s eyes flicked to her, “so perhaps there’s some danger afoot?”

  Nothing to say to that. “Can I go, Your Lordness?”

  The corners of Jensen’s mouth twitched. “You may.”

  “Thank you.”

  Mei exited at speed, made her way through the lobby and up to the arena, a bowl well over a hundred wir wide with a dozen tiers of seating under a smattering of distant clouds. It was easy to find Maggie and Fran; only a few students and professors had come this early.

  Maggie saw Mei first. “Is Dwayne okay?”

  “Is he doing well?” Rodion asked.

  “He’s fine.” Mei sat down. “He’s writing very fast.”

  “That’s normal.” Fran patted Maggie’s hand. “He’s usually done before everyone else.”

  “Good.” Maggie blew out a breath. “So why are you here, Mei?”

  “Dean Bruce wants to steal the License Key.” As her friends exclaimed, Mei looked around. “Where’s Lady Pol?”

  “Working.” Fran pointed. The older mage and her lover were surrounded by a gaggle of mages. “Should I go get her?”

  “No time.” Mei turned to Maggie. “What should we do?”

  “First,” Maggie’s eyebrows came together, “we ask why now. Stealing the License Key is a weak move.”

  “But without it, isn’t Dwayne the only person who can use the Terminal Tome?” asked Fran.

  “That’s true, so why not send Huan after it again? Why wait until now?”

  “Why is she here?” Mei asked.

  “Because both the baron and Lady Pol came?” asked Fran. “Perhaps she didn’t want to be seen abandoning her examinee?”

  “I doubt she cares.” Maggie was checking her inventory of potions, bombs, and water. “She wasn’t even present at our Offering.”

  “She’s Granite,” Mei said. “Does that matter?”

  “She is?”

  Mei covered Maggie’s mouth. “Not so loud.”

  “Right.” Maggie settled down. “Right.”

  “You confirmed that?” asked Fran.

  “Yes.” Mei glanced at Rodion, who hadn’t reacted. Maybe the spy had already known. “So why would Granite be here?”

  “She’s like a field commander,” said Maggie. “She has to be here personally to have any control over what happens.”

  “And what is happening?” asked Fran. “Is this the Harvest Ball all over again?”

  “I don’t know.” Mei’s foot started tapping. “We have to stop her.”

  “How?”

  “We get to the License Key first.” Maggie turned to Mei. “Go get it from Dwayne. It’ll be safer with you. I’ll go under the Arena and search for anything unusual.”

  “Like, say, a secret horde of cenobites,” said Fran.

  “Francesca, you’ll-“

  “Stay here and tell Lady Pol what you’re doing?”

  Maggie’s eyebrows lifted. “You won’t help?”

  Fran crossed her arms. “I figure the Heroes of Walton are better equipped to handle this.”

  “Okay.” Mei tapped her fist against her chest. “We may still need help though.”

  “I may not be of much assistance,” Rodion tapped his chest, “but I may know someone who is. I’ll contact them. My lord must complete his examination without incident.”

  “Agreed,” said Maggie. “Let’s go.”