Something darkens in Baze’s eyes, making me recoil as I realize—
“You thought I knew.”
His silence is answer enough.
I storm toward the bed and crouch, reaching beneath it to retrieve a small wooden box, tipping the lid as I stand. “There isnothingin here that suggests she’s been in danger,” I say, showing him the note some kid left at the bar for me after the burning, as well as the one Cindra received from Kolden and Orlaith. Shoving the box against his chest, I look up into his eyes. “Nothing.”
“But she is,” he growls, pummeling me with his breath—untainted by spirits. In fact, he looks utterly sober, eyes clearer than I’ve seen them in years, which only makes his actions and the erratic energy rippling off himmorechilling. “She’s in danger. And there’s something in her eyes that tells me she doesn’t even give a fuck.”
Shit.
This is not a conversation that’s mine to have. It’s hers. Unfortunately, I’m incapable of lying to him.
I just can’t bring myself to do it.
“I know,” I admit, drawing a slow breath as I drop my gaze to his chest. “I’ve also seen that look in her eyes.”
Tension cuts the air.
There’s a palpable pause before he threads his finger beneath my chin and tilts my head, forcing me to regain his eye contact. “I’m going to need you to be a bit more specific.”
The softest push of his finger, and something inside me melts.
“I … found her in his bed, overdosed on caspun. I don’t think it was her intention, but—” I swallow, watching the color drain from his face. “I could tell she wanted to follow him … if you know what I mean.”
His eyes glaze, stare drifting behind me for a long beat. Then he shoves past, storming for the door.
I whirl.
“Where are you going?”
“To fuckinggether,” he barks, and my pulse pitches.
I sprint forward.
He opens the door, but I punch it closed. He turns, staring ahead, becoming still.
Thoughts churning, I press the box against his chest again, nudging it gently. Urging him to look.
Toread.
“There’s a plan, Baze. We’re so close to securing what we need to break into Vadon’s territory and stem these Vruk attacks at the source, but everything hinges on the first part of the ceremony taking place. It’s the only way we can get the ships without inciting war.”
“You’re telling me to put the ships above her,” he states, voice flat.
Dangerous.
“It’s what she would want.”
He whirls so fast I’m suddenly pressed to the door, his hands slamming either side of my head, an untethered look in his eyes. “Because she hassurvivor’s guilt!”
My upper lip peels back, my energy swelling against his until we’re an angry clash of tension. “We’re in too deep. If we pull the plug now, we loseeverything.”
I let my eyes say what my words do not. That I’ll lose this one chance to get what I need to protect my people.
The only family I have.
“Tell me,” he snarls, dropping his head lower so we’re eye to eye, dousing each other in violent exhales. “WouldRhordynsit idly in the background if he were here? If he’d seen what I saw in that city square today?”
