“No, I’ve already caused enough hurt.”
“Look, if what Kalan says is true, and Fenix is coming for you, then I’m right where I need to be.”
“You can’t fight him, Calix. You’ve tried.”
His body flexes at my slight. “No, but you can. I’m staying right next to you because you will kill him, Ever. That’s yourintention, right? If you don’t think you’ll be able to, then say now.” His eyes drill into mine, and I see the sincerity there, alongside the ice-cold promise he’s forcing me to make. “I might not be able to, but you have to.”
“Hey, don’t put that on her, Cal.” Ten joins our little heart-to-heart.
“I’ll fucking put it on whoever. And right now, she’s the only one who seems strong enough. He killed Crim—he dies. One way or another.” He knocks past Ten’s shoulder and storms off.
“Calix!” I call.
“Leave him. He’ll be alright.”
“He’s just going to walk off?”
“He doesn’t need to keep a low profile.”
“Right. Yeah.”
But it doesn’t stop me from watching him march across the rings and towards the bridge. I lose him amongst the Warriors and hold my breath that nothing happens to him.
Stars above, please.
There’s no way I can relax. Since getting back, since speaking with Aslendrix, there’s been a clock ticking, or at least, that’s what it feels like. Sand draining through an hourglass to… something. Only I’m not sure of the exact thing, and I’m grasping for a word I can’t find, a memory I can’t recall like an itch I can’t scratch.
I hate it.
Time.
The day drifts by with no visitors or custodians showing up—even Rowan.
Not a good sign.
At least no one bothers us, and that starts to worry me, too.
Calix doesn’t return, and the wait for… something, begins to fray at everyone’s nerves.
By now, Ascella, Azur, and Ravi will have spread their own rumours, only working against our intentions here.
Even sequestered away, I can feel the whispers from the people within the walls of The Court, in the tents—questioning. The doubt rises like mist at dawn.
We’re having breakfast the following morning, thanks to Lyle’s skills, when we hear it.
The alarm.
A loud bell, ringing from somewhere in The Court.
We all jump up, race outside, and Ten and Raiden snap their heads towards The Tower.
“Already?” I ask. No. It’s too soon. Surely they’d wait for a new moon as they did with me? My heart stammers in my chest, my palms growing sweaty.
“Hey, look at me.” It’s Lyle’s voice. “Ever, look at me.” She grabs my shoulders and pulls my focus to her steely blue eyes. “It’s going to be okay. Remember what you said to me back home. You are stronger than you know, and you’ve been underestimated for far too long. I know it’s a lot, Zuns, maybe too much, but you’ve come this far. Don’t let that fear get to you. You stood up to everyone before. You can do it again.” Her eyes don’t waver. They are sure. So sure. “You’ve faced so much alone. You’re not alone now. You’ll never be alone again.” She hugs me to her, and as if I can feel the physical love around her, it soothes the anxiety rippling through me.
“So, what’s the plan?” Capella asks.
I pull back from Lyle and look at the people now surrounding me.
