I’m bone tired. My muscles and my mind both protest at the work I’m forcing on them after twenty years of apparent relaxation. Helping Lyle clean or cook, looking after the chickens or chopping wood, and venturing a little further to investigate the village or streams. None of that was work. Not compared to this.
And every day, I ask about Lyle. And Kyra gives me the same sad look.
The worry I have for her mounts, and the questions stick in my throat, adding to the dread forming in the pit of my stomach when I think about her. But there’s one thing that helps distract me above everything, and that’s being able to study the maps.
A dozen or so parchments and papers are laid out for us in one of our lessons, allowing me to see exactly what Kirrasia looks like.
The fine drawings, penned in ink, summon images as if plucked from a fairy tale, as I read names and places such as the Jet Mountains or the Larimar Lake. I want to see them all, and a spark of impatience ignites not just to pore over these places in class but to see them brought to life right in front of me.
They’re right here. Outside the door.
Learning, the biggest distraction occupying every moment and every step of my days, keeps my mind from the Transference and what might become of me if Lyle isn’t my Advocate. If she’d even be my Advocate. And what is she helping with that’s keeping her away?
Micah insists on helping me study, and I can’t fault his kindness. He’s made this a lot easier, especially as he’s so eager for everything, except running. He still protests and plays the joker when the drills start.
Ten is especially quiet.
There’s no sign of the friendship that I thought had begun to grow, and certainly no more lingering looks or stolen moments. And it’s affecting me more than I’d like.
He’s nothing beyond cordial, polite. A ‘hi’ or slight smile in passing or across the class. It’s like he’s forgotten everything that was between us. And I don’t know if it’s because I’ve slighted him, or it’s what the Maker told him.
Two days before the Transference, nothing between Ten and me has changed, and I’m sick of sitting back and letting him be civil. There was something between us. I was sure of it. I couldn’t speak to Lyle, and my fellow trainees weren’t yet friends. Only Kyra and Micah were close to that, so I latched on to the idea of bringing something back into my sphere of control.
I head Ten off before he can escape towards his apartment—his usual routine after the end of our lesson.
Standing in his way, I’m careful not to get too close. “Hi.”
“Hi.” His eyes scan me up and down in a blink before settling his stare on my eyes. “Everything okay?” he asks.
“No, everything is not okay. What happened?”I answer in my head.
Lessons haven’t revealed many more powers, and I still didn’t know what Ten’s is, but he heard his mother, so maybe he can hear my thoughts, too. The words ring in my head, and I watch his expression for any tell that he might have heard me.
But there’s none.
“I need your help, and you did offer.” I swallow the nerves that he might dismiss me.
The set of his jaw stiffens. “Okay.”
“You don’t know what I’m going to ask you,” I check, confused that he’s making it so easy.
“I know.”
“Why have you been avoiding me?” I ask, grasping onto my bravery that’s showing its face.
“I haven’t. I just—” His jaw flexes.
“Stop. Don’t lie. Ever since we went to see the Maker, you’ve avoided me. Subtly. But you have. If you do this for me, I’ll forgive you.”
“Forgive me?” He shifts his weight, and his brows pull in closer, his eyes looking darker than the usual warm chestnut shade that’s deeply tempting to fall for.
“Take me to where the Transference will be performed. I still have no idea beyond what you’ve already told me about it, and I think it will help to see where it will take place. You told me I’d have time to learn. Well, I don’t anymore.” I pause. I’ve read about the Transference, but it doesn’t really describe what happens, but rather, what the outcome is. “And I’ve studied those maps, and there’s no sign of anything that might give the place away.”
There’s a tremor of a smile on his lips, and I want to smile in return.
“Hey, Ever. Want me to walk you back? I need to catch up with Kyra, and she’s usually waiting at yours,” Micah interrupts and looks between me and Ten.
“Um…” I look at Ten, and he nods to me. “Not tonight, Micah, sorry. But feel free to go and find Kyra at mine. You’re always welcome. I’ll see you tomorrow?”
