The Palace, isn't it?
It wasn't such a difficult place to figure out. There were two places in the capital city of Aethermere that were easy to locate — the Palace Quarter and the Eternal Church. Moreover, it was close to the Academy, easy to navigate even for someone as directionally challenged as me.
As I moved to leave, Emma begged to come with me. For a second, I genuinely considered locking her in Clara's room. But then I remembered the trauma she'd endured, locked in that cupboard, and the thought made my stomach turn.
'Can't do that to her. Not after everything.'
Still, I didn't know what was going to happen out there. I tried to be confident in my ability to protect her.
'Kassie's ability. Not mine.'
I grabbed her hand, and we ran out together, making for the Palace Quarter. When I started toward the usual path the carriages took, she yanked my hand back and yelled.
"That's for carriages! It'll take forever! I know a shortcut!"
