“She asked if I believe in coincidence.”
“And what did you say?” Micah asks.
“I don’t.”
Silence stretches, and if I wasn’t preoccupied with the message she’d given me about one of only four possessions I’ve ever cared about, I’d be worried. But Micah has been far too quiet today, so I continue.
“She told me that I needed to train. And that I needed to stop waiting for answers.” That was the truth, no lies, but all I was happy to share for the time being.
“Good.”
We all turn at the low, threatening voice coming from the door. “Because Rowan isn’t going to give them to you. And I don’t want you going in blind like you have been, especially after what Azur did.”
“Ten!” I say, shocked at seeing him standing there, his arms crossed, his broad shoulders blocking most of the door, but not enough to keep Calix out, too.
I notice the swelling around his eye and the scrapes to his face, and look between him and Calix, who looks to be in similar shape.
“What did Azur say?” Micah asks, pulling me back to the conversation rather than the injuries littering Ten’s face. We hadn’t stayed after it became clear something was wrong with Azur. I was a mess of desperation and needed to escape, and Micah obliged.
Stars, had all of this happened only a few hours ago?
“That he led Ever into a maze within her mind to trap her.”
He turns his attention to me. “You might have figured out how to get out and ended up doing worse to him, but that was only instinctual, right? You’re not planning any of this because,” he shifts his weight where he stands just inside the door, “if you are?—”
“No. No, of course. I’d never… that’s why I went to see the Maker, like Aurelia said. I’ll visit with Kamari, too. I don’t want to be a risk. To anyone.” I make sure my eyes land on everyone in the room. Even Calix. Showing them that right now, I’m in the dark as much as anyone.
Ten nods at me, his eyes finally settling for longer than a second, and that heat tingles between us. Only, I’m nervous about it now—about what it did to him.
Is he really okay? And how did he get those bruises?
“I’m fine. I promise. But with the trials not far away. We need to do something.” He answers my silent question.
“Don’t remind me. But it sounds like you have some kind of plan?”
“I do.”
“Care to fill us in? And shut the door,” Micah says, as I try to stifle the hope Ten’s words have sparked.
He steps further into the room, but his eyes land on Kyra. “Training is usually reserved for trainees.”
“Kyra already let me practice on her.”
“Ever!” she scolds.
“Sorry, but if you hadn’t helped explain and told me what to try and do, then today might have been even worse.” They should know that she’s here to help just as much, if not more, than anyone.
“Shit.” Calix shakes his head.
Kyra’s already done more than all of them by breaking whatever silly rule there is about touch. However, that wasn’t quite true because they’d all helped in their own way.
They are all here to help.
The words clang in my head, and my eyes burn at the realisation.
Friends.
Even Calix. Maybe.
