Ray’s smile remained, but his mind was racing. He knew he couldn't lie to her. Her skill would detect it instantly, and he couldn't afford to lose her trust. His internal committee immediately began to debate.
Courtier: "We are trapped by our own gift. A simple denial or a clumsy lie will be detected, breaking her trust. We must present a plausible scenario.”
Conman: "Exactly! She wants a show? Give her a show! Just not the ‘whole’ show. Show her the Queen, but keep the Ace up your sleeve. Start with the scary story."
Ray nodded and invited his friends to sit, his expression unreadable.
“Please, sit. What I’m about to tell you doesn't leave this suite.”
Eliza and Cassian exchanged a worried glance and sat, their earlier excitement vanishing. Ray remained standing, his small frame projecting an unusual weight. His internal committee was already hard at work, scripting his next performance.
Ray let out a slow, deliberate breath.
“You remember my old acquaintance, Kaelen Thorne?”
Eliza nodded.
“The girl from the Arcanum College?
“Yes,”
Ray said, his voice low.
“During the break, she was found tortured and poisoned.”
“What?!”
Cassian gasped, leaning forward, Ray continued before he could ask another question.
“There was also another incident... A significant security breach.”
Cassian gasped, again.
“A breach? Here?”
“Yes,”
Ray said, his gaze fixed on Eliza, speaking directly to her perceptive skill.
“A shadowy figure breached the wards on this suite. It was... a professional.”
He let the implications of that sink in. Rina, who was standing by the kitchenette, visibly paled at the memory, an involuntary reaction that brilliantly sold the truth of Ray’s words.
“That’s why the Headmaster has increased security,”
Ray concluded, gesturing toward outside where a number of Silver Aegis stood guard.
“She takes the threat very seriously. The guards are the result.”
“Are you alright? Are you safe here? You weren’t hurt right?”
Eliza asked, her voice sharp with a worry that went beyond simple friendship. Her skill was telling her he was being truthful, the core facts were solid, she could feel the cold, sharp echo of fear and danger coming from Ray, confirming the attack was real. But she could also feel the immense, calculated weight of what he was not saying. He wasn't just omitting details; he was hiding an entirely different secret, something far bigger than a simple break-in.
“I’m fine,”
Ray reassured them.
“With the increase of Silver Aegis guards, I doubt anyone would be foolish enough to try anything now.”
Ray reassured them.
“But Kaelen was… she was badly injured in the process. She was recovering in the infirmary, but has been discharged already..”
The threat is from a high-level professional. A 'collector' from the Argent Hand that has plagued my family.”
“Ray,”
Eliza said, her voice soft but unyielding.
“I’m... I’m so sorry that happened. I’m glad you’re safe.”
She paused, her gaze locking with his.
“But that’s not everything, is it? You’re still hiding something.”
Ray’s mask of calm concern faltered, just for a fraction of a second, but Eliza caught it.
“You don’t have to worry about us Ray, we can handle it.”
she said, leaning forward.
Ray looked at her sharp, perceptive gaze, then at Cassian’s earnest, worried face. He let out a long breath, his performance of calm assurance finally dropping.
“You’re right,”
he said, his expression becoming serious. He stood.
“Come with me.”
He led them from the main living area to the magically enhanced training area, , and sealed the door and also used the system and activated the 'Static Loop' in the room for complete privacy.
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“The reforging in the Genesis Chamber,”
Ray said, turning to face them.
“It did more than just heal my Aetheric Leak. It unlocked… this.”