Season of Sacrifice (Blood of Azure Book 1) Jonathan Michael (red novels .txt) 📖

of the door, but I’m at ease next to her. She carries weight in this place. The guards pay us no mind as I press against the cold iron handle and pry the heavy door open. And heavy it may be, but it glides open as if it has wings carrying it through the air. Then we cross the threshold into the hall of the enemy.

The grand atrium floods me with memories. I make it but a few steps into the building before I come to a halt. Just there. On the floor. That’s where Elder died. I didn’t mean for it to happen. He was my best mate, and I brought him to his death. And just over there by the great redwood columns, that’s where Helios battled the Taoiseach. And Ellia, the Woman-in-Red. She defended him. All my memories are coming together. It’s all my fault. I led Ellia right back to Jaymes. I could have prevented this. It’s all my fault.

“Are you okay?” Astor asks.

I look into her eyes. They calm me. “Yes. My last memory here isn’t a good one. That’s all. Let’s move on.”

“Yes, of course.” She grabs my hand. The touch of my skin against hers brings sureness to my step. I follow alongside her down a corridor to a room without a door.

“This is where your Social Etiquette course will be held,” she whispers so low it’s hardly audible.

There he is. Standing assertively at the head of the class. My heart beats with rage. I pace back and forth, unable to remain still. It’s as though I am freely walking to the guillotine, kneeling, and laying my head across the execution block. The Taoiseach is the instructor for my Social Etiquette class. How am I going to do this? Why would Astor place me in a course with him? She raises her hand, gesturing for me to stop pacing.

“Please. We must wait patiently until class is dismissed,” she whispers so I can barely hear.

“What?” I ask, apparently too loud for Astor.

“Quiet!” she whisper-yells at me. Then gestures for us to leave.

“Astor Greyheart,” his resonating voice calls as we are about to flee. Both of us turn toward the opening of his lesson chamber. “Class, my apologies. Let this be an example of poor etiquette. Dear, you have already interrupted the lesson with your loitering, so what is it? Come in.”

“My apologies, Taoiseach, sir.” Her cheeks are flushed as I follow her into the chamber. “I am here to properly introduce you to your new student, Elder Alderock. The one we discussed. Elder, this is Master Martelli.”

“Ah, yes. Indeed.” He looks me up and down.

Does he recognize me? He couldn’t possibly. It’s been four seasons. And we were mere acquaintances through my father. I hardly ever saw the man in person.

An eyebrow raises, then his baritone voice continues. “Next time, you will keep quiet until the students are dismissed. Elder?” He offers a hand in greeting.

My hand trembles, and I can feel sweat accumulating along my hairline. I reluctantly take it. Hopefully without showing my reluctance. His hand is ice cold.

“Master Martelli,” he introduces himself. “When will you be joining us?”

“Tomorrow, sir.” Astor answers for me. Harris looks at her with disgust then turns back to me.

“Tomorrow, sir,” I repeat, feeling my temperature rise in sequence. It is a challenge to make eye contact with this man and be polite.

“Wonderful.” There is no emotion in his voice. “Tomorrow, since you are a great example of poor etiquette, you will be seated here in the front row, and you will be my assistant indefinitely until I deem your manners worthy of my expectations. There are consequences for your actions, Elder. I will see you here. On time. Tomorrow. Be properly prepared. Now, be on your way.”

Astor speaks up. “Thank you, Master Martelli. And again, my apologies for the interruption.”

Harris stares at her assertively in place of accepting her apology. He tells her something with that stare. There is a connection there, but I’m not sure what it is.

“Thank you, Master Martelli,” I drone with much dissatisfaction.

This course is going to be far worse than aeronautics. But it could be an opportunity as well. The Academy can be his undoing. I can learn much from him and the other instructors—potentially enough to dethrone him. The ambition quickly fades to fantasy. I can learn something, sure, but how can I learn enough to take down the most powerful man in all of Azure? For Jay, I must try.

“Are you okay?” Astor inquires as we exit Harris’ earshot and the Redwood Chamber.

“Why would you enroll me in his class?” My words come out harsh. If I have to experience that daily, I’m getting in over my head. “Do you think he knows who I am?”

“It’s not an option, Stone. All students are required to attend his lessons. And if he did recognize you, he didn’t show it. He didn’t put you in a noose, did he?” She shrugs her shoulders with a sidelong glance at me.

“You should’ve warned me.”

“You wouldn’t have come if I did. Stone, this is your opportunity to get closer to him. Learn from him. Observe him. But respect his authority and his power. He’s dangerous. If you want to protect Jaymes, this is how you can do it.” She stops and places a hand on my shoulder. “And…should he discover who you are—we must be realistic, it is a possibility—it will be a distraction for him. You can lead him astray.”

Her eyes light up. She leans in ever so slightly and I catch her honeyed lavender scent again. “You mentioned utilizing Parliament’s pigeon service to contact Jay. Now that I think on it, that’s a great idea. You should send word for her to stay in Greybark. The farther away she is, the safer she