“But –” He threw a glance at the women. “But Servant Violet was still awake when I left the dorm, Master. She drank her milk and lay down, but she wasn’t sleeping yet. Maybe… maybe Servant Iris had some help?” Jonah gulped as Gideon’s eyes focused on him more intently. “I mean – surely she’d never be able to manage escaping without a lookout or someone to get her out the front gate, right? She isn’t anything like smart enough to do it alone. Is she?”
“Is that the really important question?” Gideon asked amiably. “What do you think, Guardian Michael?”
The younger man started. “Me, Master?”
“Yes, you.” Gideon tilted his golden head. “Do you think that Iris being capable of planning an escape without any help from anyone is the big question here?”
“I…” Michael hesitated, looked over at Jo
