Page 115 of The Amber Sunburst

“It’s our best chance.”

Silence settles over the room.

“What are our first steps?” Alexander says, leaning on the back of Kallias’ chair.

“We should probably learn what the Trial is,” Zeno offers, and Alexander claps once, then runs to find the chalkboard hidden away in the stacks.

“What the Trial is,” he says as he writes it out on the board. He has the handwriting of someone who had calligraphy training. Now that Zeno thinks about it, he probably did.

“The Priestesses plan it, right, Ophelia? Could you figure it out?” Eudoxia asks.

Ophelia shakes her head. “The Sun Priestesses are only assigned specific tasks. Not even the Mothers know what the Trial is.”

“What about the Priestesses of All Forms?” Kallias tilts his head.

“What are the Priestesses of All—” Zeno and Eudoxia start.

“How do you even know about that?” Ophelia says over them.

Kallias ignores all three of them. “They plan the Trials in conjunction with the Educator, right?”

“They do, but I don’t even know where they are, let alone how to get any plans from them. They could be on the other side of the city for Forms sa—” she stops herself with a gasp. “The plumbing.”

“What?” Zeno asks.

“There’s a flushing system to transport our amber stones to the Priestesses of All Forms. If I follow the plumbing I think I could find them. I’ll just need to create a diversion or ask someone to stand in for me. Maybe Are—” she stops short. “A younger Priestess can help. Give me a week.”

“Okay, awesome,” Alexander shouts. “What else?”

Ophelia jumps up. “What’s the security for the Trials? Are they monitored?”

Alexander points at her with his chalk and says, “Good question.” He turns to the board, sounding out, “Security,” as he writes it down.

“My dad can help with that,” Zeno blurts before realizing the company he’s in.

“I knew he was your dad!” Alexander shouts, delighted. He grabs Kallias’ shoulders and says again, “I knew Bios was Zeno’s dad. I called it from a mile away.”

Kallias rolls his eyes, though a tiny smile betrays him. “All of the Academy knows that, ding-dong. They look exactly the same.”

“We don’t look that similar,” Zeno protests.

“Yeah, you do,” Alexander says.

“You look like twins,” Ophelia adds.

“I knew you were his son before I even got to the Academy,” Eudoxia brags.

He looks to Kallias, who gives him a pitying shrug.

“So, you’ll go talk to your dad, Zeno,” Alexander summarizes. “Actually, what if I come with you? We can pretend it’s for research or something.”

“I’ll check with him to see when he’s free,” Zeno replies. “Now what else do we have to do?”

“We still need to figure out where we are geographically,” Kallias says.

Alexander ruffles Kallias’ hair. “Right, a map. Thanks, gorgeous.”

“I’ve been waiting for the right time,” Kallias continues. “It should come soon, I think.”