We all nod our agreement and file out of the room.
“What happened with you?” Ascella rounds on me before we make it outside.
“Doesn’t matter,” I grit out.
“Like zuns it does. She’s dangerous.”
“We’re all dangerous,” Calix adds as he stands by my side.
“Not like her.” Ascella’s voice fades.
“And what are you going to do? Leave? Is it worth it?” Calix questions. “Everyone completes the trials, or at least the first one.”
“She needs to leave. Everything was fine until she showed up.” But as she voices her wish, Raiden approaches and steers her away from us.
“This is going to get messy,” Calix says.
“I know.” I turn to Calix.
“She might be dangerous, but she’s alsoindanger.”
My mind snaps at the word, remembering something my father said—that she’s a danger. He was cryptic and paranoid about her, casting his concern on the worry of outsiders, or at least that’s how I interpreted what he said.
But she also had him on his knees the first time I met her, in the hall.
Kamari asked something, and the Maker confirmed.
They knew.
Realisation flashes. They knew she was a Fifth, even then. My father knew, which is why he was concerned. And he’s limited her training because of that.
How? How, after so little time with her, to see her, did they know?
There are too many questions that don’t add up.
“I have to go.” I stride off towards The Court, but I know Calix is on my heels.
“Where are you going?”
“To see my father.”
“Oh, fuck.”
twenty-four
. . .
Aten
He doesn’t stop, keeping in step with me, always having my back, despite knowing my father won’t accept us challenging him like this, but I don’t care.
“What’s the plan?” Calix asks.
“No plan. Just time for some truths.”
He doesn’t push for more. He knows me well enough to stay on the periphery when it comes to my father.
Our pace is purposeful, and I’m grateful that nobody stops us as we reach the bridge and enter The Court. All the while, my mind rushes with thoughts, ideas, and questions. Each one sparks off the other until I have a web of conspiracies interlaced in my mind, ready to trip me up and snare me.
