[Phoebe Pope 01.0] The Year of Four by Nya Jade

Author:Nya Jade [Jade, Nya]
Language: eng
Format: epub
Tags: Fantasy, Young Adult, General Fiction
Barnesnoble:
Goodreads: 34314571
Publisher: Dreamwell
Published: 2012-10-28T06:00:00+00:00

Headmaster Yori was quiet, frowning slightly from behind his desk. Phoebe had just informed him of her suspicion of the traitor’s identity, and now she sat nervous, gripping her hands tightly in her lap.

“May I ask how you’ve come to this conclusion?” Professor Yori said, curiosity in his cautious voice. He leaned forward expectantly.

Phoebe shifted uncomfortably in her chair. “It’s just a gut feeling I have,” she said, watching his eyebrows lift. Gut feeling? That sounded ridiculous, even to her. But keeping that promise to her father was important to her, almost as though it was a way for her to hold on to him. “Also,” Phoebe added, fumbling for supporting information. “I think she knew that there were Blackcoats on campus before Afua told the faculty. She all but asked me after the attack. And I saw her have some kind of argument with Deborah-Anna.”

“Ah, I see.” Professor Yori brought his hands together and sank back in his chair, and Phoebe could tell he was deep in thought. “I know that this must be a stressful and confusing time for you, Cadet Pope,” he said, sighing heavily. “And it doesn’t help that the notion of a traitor amongst us has been put in your head. But I’m sure you see how difficult it would be for me take your gut feeling and your other ideas outside of this room. Especially in the absence of proof . . .” he let his voice trail, picked up a water pitcher from his desk, and walked over to his book shelf.

“Not to mention that Montclaire is a highly decorated Blackcoat sworn to a lifetime of loyalty—”

“But she hasn’t been brought into the loop,” Phoebe said, almost at once.

“That’s because retired Blackcoats are not brought into active cases.”

“Well—maybe—” Phoebe said, grasping for words. “Maybe it’s because she’s retired.”

“Is there a point you’re trying to make, Cadet?” Professor Yori said, with a slight challenge in his voice.

Phoebe reddened. She wasn’t making any sense. What was her point? “Maybe now her loyalty isn’t as—”

“—strong?” Professor Yori finished. He watered a lovely white orchid plant that sat on his shelf and went back to his desk. “Blackcoats sacrifice a lot in the name of loyalty. When chosen for the service of the Crowns they relinquish their family name, using only their first names—Montclaire, Afua. . . . They do this to protect loved ones so that if they are ever caught, Vigos can’t round up their family and use them as leverage or bargaining chips. As Vigos are well known to do. . . .” Phoebe gaped at Professor Yori. “So you see, Cadet,” he said, his voice suddenly severe, “I know for a fact that Montclaire’s loyalty is immutable. It transcends work, love, . . . and unless you can give me proof stronger than that. . . .” He rose to his feet and Phoebe, who understood this to mean that their meeting was over, did the same.

A thought hit Phoebe just as Professor Yori opened his door.

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