Marcus glanced at me, and the second he saw the expression on my face, he turned red.
Oh, shit, I was bad at hiding at. He totally knew what Kallie had told me.
His gaze landed on Kallie, and she stiffened beside me. They didn’t say a damn word, but I knew they didn’t have to, because their eyes had a whole conversation.
Charlie noticed the tense silence and went to speak to me privately.
Did something happen?Charlie asked me telepathically.
You are not going to believe what Kallie just told me, I gushed, but our mental conversation was interrupted when Hemlock strolled into the room, followed by Takahashi.
She made no effort for a greeting as she stated, “Professor Takahashi has told me you four are having trouble resisting the inferichite cuffs, and we simply can’t have that. We’re making progress in breaking the hold these cuffs have on you today, one way or another.”
Okay. It was clear she wasn’t letting us out of this room until we figured this out.
“We’ve determined that the key to destroying inferichite is using strong emotion,” Hemlock began. “I’m sure with enough determination, coupled with practice, the four of you will be able to harness enough energy to shatter the inferichite binding you. Let’s begin.”
Hours passed. We worked tirelessly at attempting to damage the inferichite, but our efforts didn’t put a crack in the stones. Kallie, Marcus, and Charlie got more frustrated with every minute that passed, attempting different spells and theories, but the inferichite resisted whatever strategy they came up with.
At least the others were doing something. As far as strong emotion, I just couldn’t harness any.
I tried… I really did. I thought about how angry I was that we were in this situation, how desperately I wanted to protect Charlie, and how much I hated the Warden.
Usually, when I thought of the Warden, heavy feelings came up. That man could get an inferno of rage stoked up in me quicker than gasoline thrown over a bonfire.
Not since the Underground, though. I was still mad at him, don’t get me wrong, but I felt my anger was being blocked somehow. I just couldn’t be bothered to care. It sucked.
“I can’t do this, Oberi,” I said tiredly. “There’s nothing left in me.”
Don’t worry, I think Cheerful Charlie over here’s got it handled,Oberi grumbled.
Charlie was losing his fucking mind. He tried everything to break the bracelet’s hold. He attempted to rip it off with roots he grew from the ground, smashed bricks onto it, even borrowed some magic from me so he could attempt to freeze the bracelet off using Water, or melt it off using Fire. The room was a mess, and the bracelet didn’t look damaged in the slightest. I was starting to get worried he’d try sawing off his arm next.
“Charlie, I think it’s time to calm down,” Takahashi said steadily.
“Calm down? How can I calm down when the entire world’s going to shit?” Charlie screamed.
“We’re not going to get anywhere when you’re acting like a psychopath,” Kallie snapped, and she dropped the illusion blade she’d been bashing over the bracelet. “Get it together.”
Marcus hurried to defend Charlie. “Who are you calling a psychopath? You’re the sociopath. You went around assassinating whoever you felt like back in Malovia. At least Charlie’s only killed people who’ve tried to kill him.”
Kallie slammed her hands against the table. “I’mnota sociopath! Contrary to popular opinion, I have fucking feelings, and I can feel sympathy for people!”
“You sure aren’t feeling sorry for me,” Marcus spat.
The subcontext in this argument was huge. Marcus knew exactly what we’d discussed and was pissed at Kallie for telling me what was going on, and because of it, he was going to take out his feelings on her about something else.
But she needed support. How could he expect her to keep hiding what was between them, and be satisfied with what he was giving her? It was wrong.
“Because I’m not going to chime in on your pity party!” Kallie said. “You’ve done your share of bad things, so don’t go there.”
“What I did was an accident. You’re a serial killer by choice!” Marcus shouted.
“I kill monsters who fucking deserve it, toprotectinnocent people,” Kallie growled.
“You’re a menace to society. That’s why you’re locked up in here,” Marcus spat.
“Well, look in the fucking mirror, because so are you.” Kallie shoved Marcus.
