Page 118 of The Incendiary

Elias folded his arms across his chest. “Who was it, Fera?”

“It was just a sparring match,” I lied.

His teeth clenched. I scowled at his perfectly chiseled face. “You’re not a good liar, Fera.”

I snorted at the irony. “Frankly, I have a hard time believing your concern when yours was the first hand in these Barracks to strike me.”

His lips tightened into a thin line. “That was… regrettable.”

I gasped lightly in surprise. “Are you about to apologize to me, Commander?”

He silently studied me, his clean-shaven jaw ticking in a meticulous rhythm. “There’s another gathering for our team today,” he began, ignoring my question. “A little camaraderie is beneficial in getting to know your new peers. Come back after dinner. Informal dress.” Elias pushed off the table and nodded to the door in dismissal. “Don’t be late this time.”

I started to leave but was clearly a glutton for punishment. “Do you know any more about who killed that man?"

“Did it sound like I do?” he shot back.

I shrugged. “Maybe you’re not as skilled at hiding your emotions as you think you are.”

Elias huffed out a laugh, then paused. His hesitation was an improvement over being immediately shooed away. “I have my own lead,” he actually admitted.

My stomach jumped. “And I’m assuming you won’t tell me what it is?”

“I’m not saying a word to anyone but Valda until I can confirm it.”

“Fair enough.” I slowly backed away toward the door. From what I’d overheard between him and Valda, I knew he didn’t suspect me, but I wanted to hear him say it. “Though I take it I’m not the lead.”

“If I truly thought you murdered Cross, I would have killed you already,” he deadpanned.

“Sure,” I laughed, then called back over my shoulder, “you’d have tried to, anyway.”

I had no idea what “informal dress” meant in the Barracks. All I had were my fighting leathers, two nightgowns, and a few sets of lounging clothes. I’d only brought essentials.

Thankfully, Mina lent me a rose-colored sweater and a pair of black pants like the kind Gemma gave me in Tovick. She braided my hair for me and promised me it would look put together but not like I put in too much effort. I didn’t want attention, especially from Elias. I didn’t want to appear lazy or disrespectful, either.

While she worked, she chatted about how she was designing a tattoo of the baby’s initials for Marin. Mina’s favorite hobby, aside from helping others, was art. Body art, specifically. Over the last few years, she’d become the go-to person in the Caves for anyone looking to permanently mark themselves.

“Do you want one?” she asked me.

Whenever I thought of tattoos, I thought of the 402 lines that Gavin had inked into skin to measure the years without me. I’d never asked if he did them on his own or had someone else do it.

“I’m not opposed to it.” I straightened the chain around my neck to ensure my ring was hidden beneath my sweater. An idea for a tattoo bloomed, but I would set it aside until it felt right. “I’ll think about it.”

“Did Winterton give you the names of the other soldiers that would be there tonight?” Mavic leaned casually against the wall beside us.

“He didn’t.” I glanced up to find his normally calm face twisted into a frown. “Why?”

“No reason.” He folded his arms over his chest and shrugged. I didn’t buy it, and neither did Mina. We stared at him expectantly until he cracked. “Look, those guys are extremely skilled, but some don’t have the best reputation around women, especially Gerard, Stoll, and the Sharpe brothers. And you didn’t exactly get off on the best foot with them the day you arrived.”

I gave him a coy grin. “Are you worried about me, Mavic Reed?”

“You wish,” he scoffed. He made a show of rolling his eyes at my joke, but his concern was still painfully evident. “Just be careful. There’s…” He trailed off when his eyes darted to Mina. I glanced to see her subtly shaking her head.

“What?” I demanded, looking between them. “What is it?”

Mina glared at her brother, then faced me. “Let me preface this with the fact that we know it’s not true.” She exhaled heavily. “But there’s a rumor going around that you’ve been sleeping with the commander to earn his favor.”

My blood chilled. “That’s absurd.”