“Okay, I didn’t see that coming,” Crimson’s voice is behind me as I step out into the warm sun.
“It’s a lot to take. First, losing him. And then in a way, all over again.”
“We’re still going to get Ever, right?” Calix asks, following his sister, staring directly at Kalan.
“I told you. I’m not taking you all to Nehandun.”
“Fine. Just take us three.”
Kalan seems to unravel his frame now that he’s out of the cottage and stands just as tall as Calix, and, from his stance, I gauge he’s not failing in the strength department.
“I’m not taking you.” He looks Calix dead in the eyes.
“Why?”
With no warning, Kalan clenches his fist and slams it into Calix’s ribs. He buckles at the waist and falls to the ground.
“What the?—”
“Calix?” Crimson’s next to him in a second.
“He won’t do us any favours in his state.” Kalan’s words are direct.
“State? What do you mean?” I look between Kalan, who’s now towering over Calix on the ground. “Calix?”
“It’s nothing.”
“You’re still recovering. It might look like you’re healed, but if you take a beating from Fenix, you won’t be back at full strength for several weeks.”
“No. Perrin healed him. He’s fine.” Calix is the strongest of us. He’s fine. We’ve all taken a beating before, and we’ve never needed more than a day or two to recover. Calix has had plenty of time.
But as I say the words and look at my friend, nursing the side Kalan hit, doubt seeps in. Fenix had magic when Calix didn’t.Crimson said he nearly died. I’ve never seen him look in worse shape. The facts all line up in my mind and twist the view I had.
“Cal?” I ask. “You’re good?”
“I’m good,” he starts, “just, I might not win in a fight right now. Sorry, Ten. As much as it kills me…” He tails off, and I realise what he’s saying.
Shit.
Guilt swamps me at what I would have eagerly put Calix through.
“How did you know?” I turn to Kalan. “Didyouknow?” I ask Crimson.
“No. He’s stubborn, and clearly lost a few brain cells in that fight,” she says.
“So, as I was saying. We will go.” Kalan motions between him and me.
“Aren’t you forgetting someone?” Crimson stands and moves towards me. “I want revenge on that son-of-a bitch. If Calix can’t go, there’s no fucking way you’re stopping me.” She lands her hands on her hips and takes a step towards Kalan. “Unless you’re scared a little girl might get hurt on your watch, old man?”
It takes everything in me not to smile at her taunt.
But her words seem to have swayed the ‘old man’.
“As long as you’re not all talk, Aster. And neither of you is my responsibility. Let’s get that clear.” He levels us both with a stare.
“Perfectly,” I assure him.
“You need to work on your skill. You’re like a toddler with that gift of yours, Ciro.”
