“Rhordyn will have it under control.”
My heart almost leaps out of me. “Justhim?”
Baze banks his head to the side. “Of course.”
Of course ...
Does he know what’s out there? What’sreallyout there? Because if he did, I’m certain he wouldn’t be so blasé about our High Master dealing with it by himself.
My hands twist together, bottom lip pulled between my teeth as I peer off in the direction Rhordyn just disappeared ...
“You have that look on your face.”
“What look?”
“The look you get when you’re about to try and break into a door with your hairpin.”
I frown, casting my gaze on the audacious bastard. “You pay far too much attention.”
“Paid to.” His offhand tone is an utter contrast to the russet pins of his eyes. “Which lock are you contemplating an assault on this time?”
I tap my temple, fingers like a woodpecker’s beak. “Thisone,” I say through clenched teeth.
The one that prevents me from leaving the castle grounds.
His eyes flare as he no doubt realizes what I’m implying. “No,” he commands. “Forget it, Laith. It’s not happening. If he catches you over that line in your current state, things won’t end well.”
“And if hedies, you’ll be the one I—”
Baze groans, tips his head against the wall again, and starts to tick off his fingers.
“Wait, what are you doing?”
“Tallying the number of threats I’ve received today. I suspect I’m about to hit double digits. Quite the milestone.”
That fire in me flares, flogging my insides with relentless belts that leave me struggling to maintain my composure. He’s not taking this seriously, and I’m all out of patience. No one survives what Rhordyn’s going out there to face head on.
No one but me.
That line my mind has sketched around the castle grounds pales in comparison to the thought of Rhordyn falling victim to those merciless creatures; to him no longer assaulting these halls with his presence or collecting my offering night after night.
A vision of him flashes—one where he’s broken on the ground, bleeding out.
... Wide eyes that stare at nothing.
I flinch.
Not him. My nightmares can chew on me, but they can’t fucking have him.
I don’t register my forward step until Baze is at my front with the pointy end of a wooden dagger poised against my throat, his handsome, statuesque face hardened by a mask of austerity I’ve never seen before.
Not on him.
“Are you serious?”
“Deadly,” he utters with a flash of teeth that appear sharp and vicious in the low light.
“I thought you were supportive of me stretching my wings?” I force out through a clenched jaw.
