“I don’t know.” But everything in me, every instinct, is telling me that there’s something wrong here.
“I hate this. It reminds me of when I first came here and when I met the Maker for the first time.” Ever shudders as if ice just skimmed over her skin. My hand reaches for hers, needing to try and calm her. Heat races along our connection as soon as I touch her skin, and I sink into the comfort, not wanting to build my shield to keep her out. She looks at me and smiles. And just as I feel the advanced warning of pain and what I know will be the images that show a possible version of the future, I let go, severing it.
Silence trails with us as we round the final bend in the spiral street before The Tower, and as we approach, we get a glimpse of the full Chamber assembled outside in a familiar arc.
“This can’t be good,” I murmur.
“No shit,” Calix agrees.
Rowan turns to halt us when we’re in position. Even without my ability, I’d be able to tell everyone’s feeling nervous and bracing for bad news. The air is so thick with apprehension that it’s oppressive.
As with any announcement, it seems, my father stands forward, ready to get on with the show.
He sweeps his eyes over the crowd but ignores me, focusing on Ever instead.
Shit, is this about Ever?My heart pounds as I assess the ways we might need to escape. It’s not looking good, considering there’s only one way in or out of here.
“Following the events of yesterday and the seriousness of the incident before us, it has been necessary to call this impromptu gathering,” he starts, “for undue use of force. For interfering with an Order-led investigation and for behaviour unfit for both Guard and Warrior, the following decision has been made.” He pauses, and I can’t keep my eyes from Ever as I comprehend what he just said. “Aten Ciro’s training is to be terminated, effective immediately.” Where I feared Ever’s name would fall, mine is now in its place, and my father’s words ring in my head, confusion knitting my brows together. They never terminate training. You’re assessed and then provided a path.
This doesn’t make sense.
“And, to ensure this behaviour doesn’t continue, Aten Ciro is hereby banished from Kirrasia and will be stationed at an appropriate outpost in Estereah.”
“No!”
“What the fuck, Ten?”
Voices and words explode around me, layering over each other, and I see people reacting and jostling around me. I’m still processing the first blow, but the second has me staggering to stay standing. It’s like my Transference all over again.
Betrayal solidifies in my chest as I search for my mother in the crowd. She isn’t here, but Ever is.
“Ever!”My voice won’t do me any good amongst the chaos now spreading like fire amongst everyone.
I can’t leave her.
No. No.
“Ten. What’s happening? They can’t do this, right? You said that protecting a trainee would be justifiable. You did it to protect me, they know that.”Her voice grows louder in myhead, and the push of power from our connection amplifies everything. It threatens to drown out and consume my own power and fear as hers grows, no, erupts inside of her.
Footsteps sound, steady and rhythmic, and I know it’s my father’s men coming to restrain me. I might not have anticipated the banishment, but the next steps along his plan are simple.
Restrain. Isolate. Escort me out of The Court. And Kirrasia.
And I have nothing to fight him with.
“I love you, Ever. I’m sorry I haven’t told you before now.”I look up and search for her in the disarray.
Calix and Crimson crowd me, and Aurelia even stands at their side.
“Ten, no. We can fight this. I can fight this,”Ever’s thoughts scream at me.
Warriors close in, but so does she. And she’s got Ravi with her. She barges past Calix and grabs my hand.
Shadows explode around us, far denser and more menacing than when we did this in class.
“What are you doing?”I ask as I hold on to her hand with a death grip, knowing she’s going to be ripped away from me at any second.
“I won’t let them do this to you because of me.”
