“Come on, then. We can get the others.”
I leave and knock on the opposite door, listening for arguments, but there’s only silence.
Lyle opens the door and smiles as she sees me. “Ever, thank the stars. Tell me we can leave.”
“We thought we’d grab some food. All of us.” It’s the first normal sentence I’ve said in a while, and I let the warmth grow from that.
“Send Calix. We can’t all be—” Kalan’s voice bellows from inside.
“No more hiding. We’ll be fine,” I cut him off. My words are firm, leaving no room to argue. He offers a grunt in reply, which I translate to mean that he’s reluctantly agreeing to my decision.
Calix joins us in the hallway with Ten.
“One more thing before breakfast.”
I head to Ascella’s door.
“Ever, that’s a mistake.”
“Are you sure this is a good idea?” Both Calix and Ten try to reason against my move towards the door.
“We can’t leave her locked away.”
“And if she runs off and brings back a Warrior squad?”
“Then we’ll add it to the list of things to deal with. But I’m not holding anyone prisoner.” I put my hand out to Calix, and helooks at me, shaking his head as he shrugs and hands over the key.
“I’ll do it.” Kalan steps forward.
“No. Her problem is with me. Maybe this will help her listen to what we have to say.”
“Don’t count on it,” Calix mumbles.
I huff out my own breath, shove the iron key into the lock, and twist.
The door is yanked from my grip, and I stumble forward, right into a flare of pain that lands across my cheek.
Ascella’s a blur as she races past me to the other side of the hallway.
“You little bitch!” Lyle yells at her before coming to me and lifting my head, still a little woozy from the hit.
“Ascella, wait!” I try. “You don’t know what’s coming,” I say the words, aware they sound more like a threat than a warning, but the throbbing of my cheek makes it hard for me to find any compassion.
“I don’t need to know. All I know is that you are a Fifth, and nothing good has come since you set foot here. You bring death wherever you are. A curse to all Kirrasia. And I’ll happily fight on the side that seeks toendyou.”
With that, she races out of the residence, faster than any of us can track her.
“Well, that went well.” Calix offers the light relief.
“How bad?”Ten asks.
“I’ve had a lot worse. Just stunned.”
He nods and leaves me in Lyle’s hands.
“She knew. She’s heard about what’s coming?” Lyle questions.
“People are going to choose sides. That’s what they’ve counted on for years. All this time, Fenix has been the Usher’spuppet, building his army to fight against the one thing that he has to unite them.”
