“Outside of Kirrasia, it’s muted. Power doesn’t flow the same way outside of Aslendrix’s watch.”
“She’s the moon. The whole world can see her.”
“It’s her gift, Ever. Never forget that she grants it with measures in place.”
“I don’t need a lesson, Ten. I need to keep this connection between us, no matter how far we’re apart,”I snap, my frustration brimming over.
“We can try.”The words don’t feel enough, don’t feel deep enough for how much I want to maintain this thread between us. I want to grab hold of it and pull it back, as if I can physically pull him back to me, too.“Where are you?”
“The cells. The same one.”
“I’m so sorry, Little Siren, believe me.”
“You’ve done nothing. I’m the one who’s turned everything upside down. I’m the reason your father banished you.”
“I wouldn’t change any of my choices to keep you from harm. Goddess, I’d kill them both next time, all to keep you safe.”
“This isn’t because you killed him. It’s because you protected me. Helped me. Your dad wanted to keep us apart. Started rambling about keeping you from making the same mistake as Elex.”
“Who’s that?”
“I think it might be my father.”I take a steadying breath.
“Ever—”His voice goes foggy in my mind, and the strand of energy falters.
“Ten?”No hum of awareness, no vibration and no voice.“Ten!”I scream and think I may have screamed out loud.
“He can’t hear you.”
I recognise that voice, and the sound has me stealing my emotions and swallowing any sign of weakness.
“I didn’t think he’d banish his own son. But Orion Ciro has been known to surprise us before.”
“I don’t want to speak with you, Kamari.”
“Oh, that’s okay. I’m only here to inform you that your training is over. You’re a risk to your fellow trainees and have proven what everyone knows about a Fifth. They can’t be trusted with the power they are granted.”
Her words dig in, but I hold them like pieces of paper, waiting for me to put them in order and reveal the riddle. Each time, I get a little more, and it’s starting to take shape, even if I can’t scribble my thoughts down.
Lyle kept me hidden. She was afraid and wanted me nowhere near this place until it was clear I needed help—the Transference.
Kalan. He left me something powerful. A protection.
The Maker. Everything she’s said.
Orion, Elex, my parents, books with missing pages, the lack of information…
“Aslendrix seems to disagree with that.”
“Well, sometimes, blessed as she is, she’s wrong and needs a little helping hand.” Her smile betrays her true nature, and I see now that she’s as calculating as everyone else.
Stars, I’ve trusted all the wrong people.
But I do trust Ten. I will get out and find him.
If that’s the last thing I do.
forty-four
