Page 119 of Alchemy of Souls

“Grayson and Icalled the Key,” I correct him. “It won’t appear without us.”

“Won’t it?” he asks. “Because it requires a Heart of Courage—you. And a Master of Magic. And who is more proficient in all four Guilds than I?”

Okay, I didn’t expect that. He must have the poem. The full version.He knew.

My eyes flit to the door, suddenly realizing the full gravity of him separating me and Grayson.

“I’m assuming you realize my nephew is a liability,” he says matter-of-factly. I can’t have him sneaking behind my back and calling the Key with you when I’m not there.”

“Which is the same reason you killed Liam, isn’t it?” I say, not for me, but for Grayson, so that the video will finally reveal the truth.

The Chancellor hesitates, surprise flitting across his face. “You shouldn’t know that, Miss Belrose.”

“You killed your own nephew because he called the Key,” I accuse.

For the first time, his smooth expression falters. “And I’d do it again. In fact, I will right now. It’s time toopen that door, Miss Belrose.”

Time slows as he takes a step closer. Only this time, I’m ready.

The Chancellor flicks his wrist, fast, impossibly so, and—nothing happens. For a brief moment, he seems unsure why his spell didn’t work.

Which is when I swing. My punch collides with his nose in a discernable crack.

True shock appears on his face. Hand-to-hand is one thing thatdidn’t require magic to learn. I can fight. And now I’m not only fighting for my life but for everyone I care about.

I follow up with another strike to his face, targeting his injured nose. I don’t quite connect, but I do land a grazing hit to his jaw, and a growl escapes his lips.

I kick, but he moves and it costs me. He slams me into the dark wood pillar at my back, his forearm moving to my neck. I struggle for air as he leans his body weight into me, pinning me against the column.

“Very clever to attack when you did, I must say. I didn’t expect quite so much from you. But don’t worry, Miss Belrose, I’ll adjust accordingly in the future.”

I wait. I need him just a little bit closer.

“You can take the path of least resistance or the hard way,” he says. “And wouldn’t you rather just be a good little pet and listen?”

I’m so going to enjoy hitting this man.

He leans in with a smile. “You have a friend here. Maggie. And a little sister. Six is such a tender age. I’d hate to see her—”

With every bit of strength, I swing my head forward. My forehead collides with his broken nose and he stumbles back, his hand grasping his face.

“I’m choosing the hard way, asshole,” I say, coughing for air.

When he swings for me, I’m ready and I get my arm up to cover the side of my head. Then I send a swift return kick right to his groin. It surprises me that he’d fall for such an elementary combat move. But then again, he has always had his magic, which is so strong he probably hasn’t used hand-to-hand skills since he was a student.

He bends forward, a grunting noise escaping his mouth. Whichis when I bring my knee up into his face, and throw him down. His head hits the floor hard enough to disorient him and I reach inside his jacket, searching for the cell phone Grayson said would be there.

Bingo.

CHAPTER 56Grayson

I’m wrapped up in a cocoon of vines like I’m waiting for a goddamn spider to eat me. I push hard, but my hands remain pinned to my sides with zero wiggle room to cast.

I thrash, getting so frustrated that I let out a growl.

Screw this. I’m about to start shouting for Guardians, when boots sound on the smooth wooden floor. But the footfalls don’t belong to a Guardian at all. They belong to a student—one I wouldn’t have expected in a thousand years—Adrien? And now I don’t know whether to feel suspicion or relief.

“Grayson,” he says, eyeing me. I scent his hesitancy immediately. But it also doesn’t escape my notice that there is a dagger in his boot.