Ethrea

II . cats

"Ethrea," I breathed.

"Yeah. A city corrupted with unwarranted magic. Come on, we are pressed for time."

"Corrupted?"

"I suppose a Sentry like you wouldn't think so." Pedestrians multiplied the farther we hurried into Ethrea. "But rebels know about the poor and sick and anyone who disagrees being left in the desert to die. All in the name of progress."

We entered an atrium. Levels, streets, and bridges crossed each other in a spiralling web. Crowds moved like schools of fish, their feet visible through transparent levels. Artificial sunlight bathed the atrium with warmth while hanging vines soaked it up. Life hummed in every corner.

Roaming sleek corridors of Ethrea was like listening to an old favourite song again. I failed to recall the words. Questions buzzed in my mind, but I only asked one.

"What is your mission?"

"Can't tell you."

"Uh-huh. But if we're 'partners', then maybe you should."

Adrien smirked. "So you can warn the other magicians? Not a chance, Félicie."

"I'm not a—"

"Sentry!"

He dived into a shoe store. We crouched behind a display table and gave sheepish grins to an employee. Outside, a girl wearing stately robes led two feline creatures with spotted, tawny fur and glowing blue eyes. They gazed up at the pendant hanging from the Sentry's neck.

"Damned desert cats," Adrien muttered. "Let's go."

"Desert cats?"

"Yes, can't you see?"

"I do see, but I don't remember what they are."

He shook his head and snorted in disbelief. "They're bad news. We need to get to the Academy of Ethrea."

"Why?"

"Because, well..." Adrien studied me, sifting words and choosing them carefully. "They are hiding something there I need to take care of."

Uneven stone walls surrounded us. Magic ran in fresh water springs of cold caverns—strong enough to power Ethrea. My pendant flickered.

"Keep an eye out for desert cats. The school is full of 'em."

"We won't be harmed, right?"

Adrien's expression turned uncertain. "Ehh, maybe."

"How reassuring."

"The school's entrance is here." He pointed to a broad flight of stairs with shallow steps leading up to grand glass doors. Above were the words Academy of Ethrea with an image of a spotted cat bearing its teeth.

"No Sentries. They let anyone in?"

"The trick is getting past the lobby." Adrien brushed dust from his grey cloak. "I'll tell them I'm visiting Professor Calla."

"Why does that name sound familiar?"

He grimaced. "Because it's mine. Sarah thought it might be useful one day."

I followed Adrien into the school. High vaulted ceilings glowed with unnatural sunlight, making it claustrophobic. Students in uniforms chatted as they rotated classes. A receptionist pursed his lips at the sight of our shabby clothes.

"Hi, I'm Matthias Calla." Adrien handed him a card while smiling. "Here to visit Professor Calla."

"Was not your brother the one expelled for—"

Adrien cleared his throat.

"Sorry." The receptionist scanned the card. "You may go. Oh, not her. I need your identification as well."

"Uh, I'm, um, a-a Sentry."

He glanced at my pendant. "My apologies, I did not notice. Have a nice day."

We left the lobby. Perhaps before the desert, I wandered these dim hallways in robes and shadowed by desert cats.

Adrien's cloak fluttered as he strode. "So, Sentry. When will you report to your leader?"

"I have no leader because I am not a Sentry."

He grabbed my arm and stopped us. Ahead were desert cats who fixed their glowing blue eyes on Adrien. They knew him. One hissed.

"Too bad," he whispered. "I could really use one now."

A desert cat approached us, but stopped, noticing my pendant. It waited for...I don't know what. Sensing my uncertainty, it continued prowling around Adrien.