Will I ever see Ten again?
Will I ever get back to Lyle?
It’s been four nights. I think.
As footsteps sound, I refuse to open my eyes or acknowledge the relief that blooms in my chest. They have worn me down, and I hate that all it has taken is time.
I’m a Fifth. The very thing people back in Kirrasia are afraid of, yet here, I’m stuck, with so little power, I’m harmless. Maybe that’s what shutting me inside was to teach me. That I needed their training, just like Fenix said.
A hum of recognition stirs my magic and forces my eyes open.
Fenix waits on the other side of the gate.
“I didn’t think you’d be back.”
“Oh, really? My long-lost sister. I wouldn’t ignore you.”
“No, just lock me in a cave and leave me for days.”
“Do you want to leave the cave? There were much nicer accommodations set up for you. But you spoiled that plan.”
“What, by marching off? By your account, that was your idea. Or was it refusing to listen to what you have to say or agreeing to your demands?”
“Oh, don’t worry. I think we’ll be past that after tonight,” he chuckles.
“Tonight? What’s tonight?”
“Ask me. Ask me about our parents, and I’ll tell you.” His eyes soften as he speaks, and I see the boy, the child behind the monster. He wants to be a brother, I see it—feel it—in moments. A glimpse, perhaps. And it’s so tempting. After havingno answers, he’s here, desperate to spill them, finally saving me from the wall of lies I’ve come up against with every question I’ve asked.
But I’m afraid of the truth. I’m afraid that the pieces that he’s told me already are only going to amount to something that I don’t want to hear. Ignorance, at the moment, is the nicer bedfellow than disappointment and heartbreak.
He said that our parents started this war. Micah told me that my parents killed his.
What if the truth I’m looking for is only bad? What if being a Fifthisa curse? A death curse, and Lyle and the Maker and the others were trying to protect me from it?
What if, what if, what if…
They spin around in my head, conspiring against my will, and plot my demise.
“Let me out. Treat me like your sister, and I’ll ask.” I stare at the ground as I speak, unable to look him in the eye. I don’t want him to see how much he’s affected me or how close I am to pleading with him to tell me everything, and give me every shred of information that he has about them. And the biggest question of them all, where are they?
Fenix smiles, as if he’s won the game.
He walks towards the cage door and pulls a key from a hook on the other side. I watch as he methodically slides the heavy metal key into the lock and springs the door open.
“Thank you.” I bolt from the cold place and into the dappled light, breathing in the warmth of the air, hoping it can rid the lingering chill.
“You’re welcome. Would you like some food, something to drink?”
“I don’t want you to take me back to the Usher. Just us.” I hold his gaze, despite wanting to turn away. Fenix might be thestrongest and the most dangerous here, but I’m his weak spot. And I will exploit that for every advantage I can.
“We don’t have to talk to him just now, but if you want food and water, we’ll have to go back to my tent. No one will question you if you’re with me.” His voice warms as he reassures me.
I nod, and he heads towards the boulder, back the wayImarched us in the first place. With every step, I take in the surroundings, the trees, and I watch for clues and for knowledge, but there’s nothing, or at least nobody I can see, lying in wait. I need to be hyper vigilant. They’ve shown just how easy it is to walk into a situation that I’m not in control of.
Voices and general camp noises filter through the trees as we grow closer. Fenix looks at me, sliding glances at me out of the corner of his eye as if I might bolt again. If there’s one thing I’ve learnt, it’s that I need to start building some trust.
I’m here for a reason, and I need to know what his plan is. Plus, he has information I want.
