The hair on the nape of my neck tickles with awareness, and I know I would rather face the Maker again—alone—than sit and wait here.
The three of us eat in silence, our heads down. Keeping my eyes on my food instead of checking on Azur at the table across from us is harder than expected. I hadn’t waited to check on him before Micah got me out of the classroom. But then, should I have stayed? He had no qualms with going in fighting in our first encounter, weaving a dangerous path for me with the full intent to do me harm.
Both he and Ravi stand and leave a few minutes later, leaving Crimson to head in our direction.
Here we go!
I busy myself with my food as she approaches.
“Cal, a word.”
“Sure,” he answers around a mouthful of food, but makes no sign of moving.
“Alone,” she growls.
He looks up at his twin, then to Ten, before rising to his feet with a dinner roll in his hand. He makes sure to slide me a quick wink before she leads him to the other side of the hall, next to the crackling fire.
“Will this be awkward?” I ask Ten.
“Possibly. But only if Crimson makes it so. She has a choice.”
“Yeah, but won’t she see it as a betrayal? We’re hardly friends since the knife incident.” Being honest, it was from before then, maybe on first sight.
He just shrugs, his eyes flashing between mine and the food he’s eating. I change the subject.
“What happened?” I nod to him, my eyes running over the bruises growing in colour over his face.
“That would be Calix’s handiwork. I believe you’re acquainted.”
That punch to my face—yes—I don’t think I’ll forget that anytime soon. “Why did he do that to you?” I keep focused on my food in case he doesn’t want to elaborate.
“I needed to let off some steam. Calix knew that taking the edge off would help me.”
“Was it that bad? With Azur?” I risk a look now, and I’m met with an equally sombre look on Ten’s face as he pauses before carrying on eating. The moment stretches out. “This training isn’t just for you. It will benefit us all.”
Evasion. A non-answer.
It’s okay. He’s arranged all this. I have to trust he’ll tell me in his own time.
Micah comes over and takes a hasty seat, eyeing up our plates. “She’ll talk to us, but not now.”
“What did you ask her?”
“Just that I wanted to talk. I couldn’t really tell her everything in front of the others.”
“This isn’t some secret we have to keep hidden, right?” I look between Ten and Micah. “We are allowed to do what we want outside of the formal timetable, right?”
“Yes. But the less the Custodians or my father know, the better.”
“Your father? What’s he got to do with this?” I ask Ten.
“When are you meeting her?” Ten asks Micah, dismissing another question.
“A couple of hours. In The Court, at the tavern between Natural and Elemental.” Ten just nods.
The bench jolts, and I turn to see Calix has taken his seat next to me, and he continues with his dinner.
“She’s not happy we’ve formed some sort of club around you.” He shovels the last of his meal down his throat. “And she’s stubborn.”
