“The Maker speaks mind to mind and can read thoughts,” she confirms and levels that same look at me again. “And I believe you know who else.”
Ever.
So, she knows. How? Shit.
“Be careful, Aten. She is?—”
“Going to be late if I don’t go and wake her.” I stride for the door, ending our conversation.
“Next week?” Kamari asks this time. I requested these sessions. Being at a disadvantage because I don’t understand what my Order gave me the ability to do is unacceptable. She’s given me more than the few scraps my mother gave me. Otherwise, last night might have been a whole lot different.
“Sure.”
Making my way down The Tower and out into The Court, I run over the training we’ll likely have today with Ever. They’ll all want to know what she’s capable of. What a Fifth is capable of. That’s my next task. Digging up every shred of detail I can find on the Order that was seemingly just rumour and myth until she stumbled into Kirrasia.
Ten minutes and I’m watching the sunrise break into a full-blown morning sun, the golden light burning the pinks and oranges to dust.
I head to the residence and march straight to Ever’s door, knocking gently.
No answer.
My hand is more insistent this time, knocking harder. “Ever, it’s Ten.” I tilt my head to listen for movement within. She wouldn’t want me barging in, would she? It doesn’t sit well that I’m considering breaching her privacy so easily.
One more time. “Ever!” I bang on the door this time.
Nothing.
I told her I’d make sure she wouldn’t miss training, and besides that, I’m eager to see her after last night. But she needs rest, too. We were all wiped after our Transference, and ours didn’t involve any element of pain, so I let her sleep and head to the food hall to grab breakfast and get her a selection, too.
The general din of the rest of the trainees echoes through the corridor as I draw closer, and my eyes scan over the benches, the usual split between the class still in effect.
But with one difference. Ever.
She’s sitting right next to Micah Star. Again.
My feet have already started in her direction. “Hey,” I greet, and she looks up from her plate, her green eyes full of their icy colour as I study them, no hint of the darker shade that seems to infect them whenever I give in and touch her.
“Hey.” She smiles timidly compared to last night. And I already miss the colour in her cheeks after our conversation about her lips on mine.
“I didn’t expect to see you here already.”
“Oh, she wouldn’t be,” Micah answers. “I had to drag her out of bed.”
He what!I cross my arms to stop myself from throttling him.
“Kyra gave me the heads up. Ever isn’t a morning person.” He grins up at me, shrugs his shoulder and then goes back to his breakfast. With Ever.
“Glad you’re ready for training,” I grit the words out and head to collect something to eat, coming back to the bench next to Ever’s and taking my usual spot by Calix.
“Hey, ready for today?” he asks.
“Sure. Why?” My eyes narrow at my friend. “What’s today?”
“I overheard Rowan and Perrin. They want us all to go up against Ever. See what happens.”
I school my face and lock on a mask that doesn’t show my fear of what that might mean for her. Sure, she beat Crimson, but I’m not sure that’s going to hold. She was running on anger and luck.
“You better start sharing, Crimson. There’s no way she’d normally beat you. What’s her secret?”
