He knew he had at least a slim chance, and that frail hope was all he needed to sustain him. The brief glimpse he had seen of Drexelica, as opposed to the angry Sister Weranda, had given him the hope the Prioress had tried to deny him. He knew he might have only a few moments of blessed solitude, and he would make the most of them.
I'll bring you back, Drex. You once swore you'd stay with me until you saved my life as I'd saved yours; it's time to save me now, my love. Together, we'll beat her.
Blessed peace and freedom from earthly cares reigned, as Grimm lapsed into a contemplative, restorative state. He was alive, and that was all that counted; all he needed.
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Chapter 7: Resistance
Kargan turned to Loras, looking him straight in the eyes.
"Questor Loras, if Thorn asks of my whereabouts, tell him I have fled the House, fearing his wrath,” he said, speaking quickly; time was of the essence.
"Why, Mentalist Kargan?"
"It's best you know as little as possible. Do you think you could hide a lie from Thorn?"
"I do not know,” Loras said. “He will surely scan my aura at the earliest opportunity-as I will his. He is likely to notice any deception on my part."
Kargan held out Seeker. “Take hold for a moment, Questor Loras,” he said, and the smith extended a gnarled hand to grasp the rod; a Mage Staff did no harm if its owner gave permission to touch it.
The Magemaster closed his eyes for a moment, accessing a spell hidden within Seeker and sending it into Loras.
"There,” he said. “Any signs of deception in your aura should be masked now."
"A useful sleight,” Loras said, raising his eyebrows in appreciation. “I have never heard of such a spell outside the realms of Geomancy."
"It's one I devised,” Kargan said. “Doorkeeper will return soon; I must go."