Once I have my boot back on, she points to the rear of the building.
“There’s a water trough out back if you want to clean up before dinner. It won’t have occurred to the captain, but I figure you’re not feeling your freshest after the tunnels.”
I leap at the chance to wash, thanking her. After some quick scrubbing, I join the others in the farmhouse. It’s mostly empty of furniture, but the fae have scared up a few broken chairs and boxes to sit on and lit a fire in the grate, over which they’re cooking some meat.
Eryx, the red-headed man, crouches by the flames, adding new sparks where the wood isn’t burning well. An incendi then—at least for his terrial power. I won’t know his—or anyone else’s—sensic powers unless I see them in action.
When the meat is cooked, it’s passed around. Alastor brings me mine, and I perch on a wobbly stool, observing. I get the impression the soldiers are less chatty than usual, and that’s probably my fault. Still, they seem relaxed enough.
Leon sits in the corner, listening to Stratton speak. I think the golden-haired fae is telling a joke, because he slaps his knee and laughs as Leon smiles along. Even if he is their captain, it’s clear Leon doesn’t rule by fear, as I once imagined the Nightmare Prince might.
The dark-haired woman, Damia, is to my right, and my eyes go to her as she tears a piece of meat from a bone and holds it up to her neck. It’s an odd move, and it’s even weirder when I notice somethingmovingbeneath her tunic. I squint, trying to understand what I’m seeing, as a small, scaled head emerges from beneath her collar.
A serpent, small enough to curl up around her neck unnoticed. That must be her terrial power. The animal is far too comfortable with her to simply be tamed. It snaps its head forward, retrieving the meat from between Damia’s fingers with elegant precision.
Her green eyes turn slowly toward me, like she knows I’ve been watching this whole time.
“She likes human meat best, but that’s been a little scarce lately,” she says, her eyes shining in the firelight. She wants to unnerve me, but I keep my face blank, as if this is just a mildly interesting piece of information.
“Does she have a name?” I ask.
“Barb,” Damia says, holding up another piece of flesh for the snake to swallow down.
I tilt my head in surprise, feeling a smile coming. “Barb as in short for Barbara?”
Damia grins, though it looks more like she’s baring her teeth.
“No, Barb as in once she pierces you, you’ll have a bitch of a time getting her to let go.”
Now that, I have no answer to.
We’re not long done eating when Leon stands and approaches me.
“Come, we need to keep training.”
My heart sinks as I think of the last time we attempted his “training”—the horrible dream and argument that followed.
“Really?” I ask. “Now?” I don’t bother mentioning how much I’d like to spend my sleeping hours getting actual rest after a full day of revelations and fighting for our lives. My foot is hurting much less now, but even if I played up the pain, I doubt it would sway him.
“Yes, now,” he says gruffly. “The magic you used today was entirely different to the sun power you conjured before. Obviously, you have multiple celestial abilities. Who knows, you might even be more than twin-blessed. There are rumors of that being possible with solari. But we won’t know until we test what you’re capable of.”
I know I need to control my power if I’m going to keep myself safe. I won’t be protected by the fae forever, and if I’m going to make it to Gullert and Will safely, I need to get stronger.
I rise, indicating my agreement. But as we move toward the door, a gravelly voice cuts through the soldiers’ chatter.
“Do you think that’s wise, captain? Messing around with a volatile solari?” It’s Eryx, still crouched by the fire.
Damia snorts. “I think he can handle one little human.”
“She killed five soldiers without lifting a finger,” Leon replies sharply to Damia, then addresses me rather than Eryx. “We need to make sure you can do that—or not—exactly when you choose to.”
As he turns again to leave, Eryx stands.
“Captain,” he says, looking like he’s about to argue.
Leon gives him a long, cold stare.
“I’ve considered it, Eryx. Now stand down.”
