This cannot be happening. Not when so many things are at stake!
A branch breaks behind me, startling me out of my thoughts. I don’t have to look to know it’s Jax.
Oh gods…
He was here, watching this whole thing go down…
Through our bond, I sense him, the thoughts running through his mind.
His concern.
His pity.
He breaks the silence first with, “Phoenix…”
I don’t need his pity.
My words are cold as ice. “Don’t.”
Tense silence stretches between us. I can’t bear to face him. Not yet. So I stand with my back to him.
“Elder Arcon’s trackers briefed me on the tracking protocol,” he says, carefully. I bristle. “We shouldn’t have engaged the creature here, but we can still?—”
Anger bubbles to the surface so quick it takes my breath away. It coils like a snake, and strikes.
I whirl on my heel. “You think I don’t know that?”
Jax snaps his mouth shut, blinking at me.
“Elder Arcon and his trackers briefed me too,” I say sharply. “I’m well aware of the protocol. Have you forgotten it’smypath to walk?”
“I know, Phoenix. I’m not saying you’re not capable?—”
I cut him off again. “Really? Because it sure sounds like you’re trying to guide me where the guidance is not needed.”
Jax presses his lips into a thin line.
I’m so furious I can barely breathe. “I don’t need you. This is my journey, my path to walk. I don’t need you following me like an obedient puppy, trying to manage me. I have spent years before we met doing just fine on my own.”
I survived the fire that claimed my family.
I escaped the Greedy King and his damn Royal Guard.
I earned my way into Vasquez’s crew.
I’ve spent months with pirates, sailing to Ekios.
I trained day and night to join the Order of Ezkai.
I don’t needhimtelling me what I should or shouldn’t do.
“I’m your Blood Sentineal. It’s my duty to?—”
I scoff. “Oh, your duty? Your only duty is dying for me when the time comes.”
Jax flinches at that as if I slapped him across the face.
I crossed the line.
