The Schism (The Broken Prism Book 4) by V. St. Clair

stand upright and look professional again. A few of the audience members Hayden didn’t know filed past him, one or two of them stopping to shake his hand while the others simply gave him appraising looks. The High Mayor and Fia Valay actually stopped to talk to him.
    “I wasn’t aware that you intended to hire away one of my Fias for as long as it takes to settle things with your estate,” the former greeted him dryly.
    “Neither did I,” Fia Valay added, giving Hayden an inscrutable look.
    “Sorry, I’ve been meaning to ask you if you’d be willing to help out with that.” Hayden made an apologetic face and the High Mayor snorted. “I’m told I can afford your services now.”
    The Fia frowned thoughtfully and said, “Why me? We didn’t exactly part as friends after you tried to kill me.”
    “I honestly had no idea that the Absorber would explode like that, and I really wasn’t trying to kill you,” Hayden apologized more sincerely. “And I thought of you because you actually managed to teach me some math last year, so I know you’re gifted, because I’m terrible at math.”
    Valay’s frown deepened and he said, “Be that as it may, you aren’t worried about giving someone who dislikes you access to your family’s finances?”
    Hayden shrugged and said, “I trust that you have great respect for the noble title of Fia, and that you will be both thorough and honest in our dealings, no matter what you may think of me personally.”
    The Fia actually looked pleased with him at this endorsement.
    “Very well, then we have a deal. I’ll review everything the Council sends me and put a plan together for your review within the month.”
    Hayden thanked him again and he and the High Mayor continued on their way down the hall, soon followed by the other Fias that filed out of Chamber Four. Masters Asher, Willow, and Mandra were the next to stop and speak to him.
    Asher looked like he’d never been more proud of anything in his life as he clapped Hayden on the back.
    “Excellent work in there,” he greeted Hayden, grinning. “The Council probably hates you almost as much as they hate me, and you haven’t been working to cultivate their disdain for nearly as long.”
    Master Willow rolled his eyes at his colleague and said, “Yes, I don’t think they were expecting to fight with someone who knew what he was talking about. I believe that will be the last time they underestimate you.”
    “Good,” Hayden said with satisfaction. “I’m tired of them treating me like a naughty child just because they can.”
    Master Mandra raised an eyebrow in interest and asked, “Who has been training you?” with professional interest.
    Hayden, ready for this question, said, “What makes you think I didn’t just read up on things for myself?”
    Master Willow pursed his lips and said, “Please, Hayden, don’t insult our intelligence. We both know that someone very skillful must have been preparing you night-and-day for this moment. You could never have come so far on your own in such a short period of time.”
    Hayden shrugged and said, “If that’s true, then they would probably want to remain anonymous to stay on the good side of the Council.”
    Master Mandra smiled wryly and said, “It seems you’ve been making some powerful friends since we last met; good for you.”
    “By the way,” Asher turned to him with a grin, “what in the name of our holiest arcana possessed you to hire Fia Valay to do your accounting? I almost cracked a rib trying not to laugh at the look on everyone’s face when you announced it to the room.”
    Hayden couldn’t entirely suppress a smile when he answered. “Well, I was advised that it would be a good idea to use someone who wasn’t tied to the Council, so I don’t get screwed over, and since the Council and the High Mayor are always at odds…”
    Master Mandra snorted in amusement.
    “That’s a bit of an understatement. The regional governments in each of the Nine