I cared about them, too.
I want to make this work,I told her.I realize it wasn’t planned for any of us. But it happened. We either accept it or spend our entire lives fighting it.
She sucked her bottom lip in between her teeth, her gaze contemplative.
What are you saying to her?Ajax asked me, his tone holding a hint of irritation at being left out of the conversation. Or maybe he thought I was trying to convince her of something.
I’m asking for her terms,I informed him.
He didn’t say anything in reply, instead looking at Cami, who then glanced at him with a nod.Yes,she said.He wants my terms.
The words were for Ajax, not for me.
Because he’d apparently just asked her to confirm what I’d told him.
I really did mess things up with him,I thought for the thousandth time. It wouldn’t matter how many times I explained why; he’d still hate me for it.
So I would just have to earn back that trust.
Starting with convincing Lucifer not to pursue Cami and Ajax.
“I want you to train me,” Cami said suddenly, causing my bird to perk up. He liked her tone. Or maybe he understood her words. “I want you to train me how to defend myself against Lucifer or anyone else who might want to hurt me.”
Ajax nodded. “That’s a good term.”
Yes,I thought to myself.Yes, it is.
Anything else?I asked her.
“You asked me where to start.” She shrugged. “That’s where I want to start.”
Fair enough, I agreed.I accept your initial terms.
When she wanted more later, either we’d negotiate an agreement, or I’d just do whatever she asked. It would depend on the request.
I accept your terms, I added to Ajax.
“Good.” He looked at Cami. “You’re sure about this?”
“It’s our only option. I’m not putting his Phoenix in a cage. It’s cruel.”
Ajax grunted, clearly disagreeing, but he didn’t comment. Instead, he pulled a card from his pocket and scanned it with his gaze.
Then he sighed and uttered the words I’d only heard a handful of times in my existence—the reversal spell.
It was slightly altered from the one Vivaxia once used, but so was the taming enchantment he’d voiced before.
How did Zenaida get these spells?I wondered as renewed life flourished through my lungs. I’d only been trapped for an hour or so, but it’d felt like years, the weight of the incantation resembling hooks in my spirit as it held me captive in its invisible binds.
When the last one snapped free, my beast immediately relinquished control and allowed me to shift into my human form. I stood and stretched, my limbs feeling battered and bruised by the remnants of that horrible magic.
My hands tracked over my legs and arms, trying to rid myself of the spiderweb sensation it left behind.
All the while, Ajax and Cami watched, their expressions equally concerned. But it wasn’t my well-being they were worried about, just their own.
And that hut almost as much as the spell had.
I deserve it,I reminded myself.But I will make this right.
