51 Poisoned

"How can you possibly have such a lackluster reaction to hearing that you just assaulted someone from the Linwick family? You're not immune to their rules just because you're part of them! If anything, they'll enforce them more strictly, won't they?"

"Technically, I had no idea who it was that I was punching." Noah held a finger up. "And he quite literally asked me to teach him. He was taught. I don't see what I did wrong."

Isabel gave him a flat stare. "You realize there's no way that anybody is going to believe that, right?"

"I'll figure something out." Noah shrugged. "What did you want me to do? Sit around and watch him assault you? It's literally my job description to protect you from monsters."

Actually, I've got no clue what my job description is, but that seems like a reasonable enough conclusion. Can't exactly train people to fight monsters if you just toss 'em out and hope for the best.

"You're going to argue that Edward was a monster? That might just dig the hole even deeper."

"I'll be fine. I'm honestly more bothered about losing that book. Did you happen to see if there was a second?"

"Why would someone make two copies of a lineage? It's not like this is a Linwick stronghold." Isabel shook her head and glanced over her shoulder like she was expecting to find an army of Linwick men behind her with torches and pitchforks. "It's still Arbitage's property, though. Linwick or not, he's going to need to return it eventually."

Noah pursed his lips. "Ah. In that case, do you care to tell me why you were trying to look my family up?"

Isabel averted her gaze. "Because of the exam. A bunch of noble houses came to watch their students do the exam. I overheard that the Linwicks were one of them, so I went to the library to find out who they were."

"Wait, you're telling me you just found out Edward was a Linwick a few minutes before I did? You sounded so affronted when I smacked him, like he was some minor celebrity or something."

"What? I have no idea who he is. I just saw his name and picture in the lineage book. I thought you'd know him because he was in your family."

"Do you know everyone in your family?"

"Yes."

"Oh. Well, I don't."

"Evidently," Isabel grumbled. "You shouldn't have stuck your neck out for me like that. There was no reason to."

Noah crossed his arms and gave Isabel a sharp look. "Are we going to get stuck in a loop here? I've already told you, it's my job."

Isabel raised her hands in surrender, turning her face to hide the smile that flickered across her lips. "Okay, okay. Thank you."

"There we go. You're welcome. Now, I think it might be a good idea to get out of here before anyone shows up looking for us. Just because I don't think I did anything wrong doesn't mean others would agree, and I'd much rather deal with them on my terms rather than theirs."

Noah and Isabel beat a hasty retreat from the library. It was just as deserted outside as it had been before, and there was no sign of Edward when they emerged into the daylight once more.

"Where the heck is everyone anyway?" Noah asked.

"They're all sucking up to the noble houses, trying to get in," Isabel replied, a bitter note in her voice.

"Ah. That would explain a lot, actually. Why aren't you?"

"My family is blacklisted." Isabel's eyes were cold, as if challenging Noah to press the question. He took the hint and let the subject drop.

"Do you have somewhere safe you can go?"

"Yeah. I'm not the one they're going to be mad at," Isabel said. She paused for a moment. "I hope. You should still be more concerned about yourself."

"I'm a big boy. I'll be fine." Noah gave her a dismissive wave. "Shoo. I'm not meant to be teaching class today, remember? I expect to see you tomorrow at our normal time in the classroom. Don't be late."

"You're the one that's always late!"

Noah strode away, raising his hand in farewell. As soon as Isabel was out of sight, he grabbed his flying sword and jumped onto it, tearing across the streets for his room. Despite his words, he had absolutely no idea how seriously the Linwicks would take the affront, especially since he no longer had a good way to learn about them.

That left just one option. Hopefully, she was still home.

***

"Seriously?" Moxie demanded, crossing her arms and glaring at Noah. "I'm going to complain about harassment at this point. What do you want from me?"

"I've never been gladder to see you at home," Noah said. He glanced over his shoulder, then waved his fingers at her. "Let me in."

"No."

"Please?"

"Why would I let you in? How is it that you've managed to come to the conclusion that I like you enough to want to speak with you, much less let you into my room?"

"Perhaps I was charmed by your caring and affectionate attitude."

They stared at each other for a moment. Noah sighed.

"Right, that was a bit of a stretch. I don't think anyone would ever get drawn in by anything about your attitude. I actually broke the nose of some little Linwick brat and I'm trying to figure out how big of an oopsie that was."

Moxie tilted her head to the side and pressed her lips thin. "Your first lie was at least a little believable. Try again?"

"No, that was actually the truth."

Moxie leaned forward slightly. Her eye twitched. "You're kidding."

"Nope. Felt great, to be honest. Kid was a massive prick. He had it coming."

"Who was it?"

"I think his name was Edward."

Moxie took a step back. Noah took that as an invitation and stepped into her room, closing the door behind himself. Moxie had done a lot more to decorate her living quarters than he had.

Her bed sheets were mossy green, interwoven with a leafy pattern. A long tapestry hung above her desk, depicting a blue sun shining down on a beautiful forest stream. Her closet door hung askew, and a small pile of her clothes had been pushed into its corner beneath the uniforms on hangers.

Moxie swept past Noah and slammed the closet door shut.

"Get a good enough look yet?"

"No," Noah replied. "I think your decorations are missing a large pile of papers on the floor to protect against any potential Skinwalkers."

The corner of Moxie's lips quirked up for an instant. She caught herself and scowled at Noah.

"Shut up. We agreed to not mention that."

"I don't see anyone else here." Noah pulled her chair out. "Mind if I sit?"

Moxie sighed. "Go ahead."

He spun it around and lowered himself into it. It had a cushion that was actually surprisingly comfortable.

"So, about my little teaching incident," Noah said, clearing his throat. "In my defense, he started it."

Moxie stalked over to her bed and leaned against it, raising an eyebrow at him. "You might as well tell me the story. Half the reason I let you in is because I can't wait to revel in how screwed you are."