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“What if we just… what if we didn’t tell anyone.”I’m clutching at straws, but I’m now backtracking, hating myself for suggesting I keep a secret this big from my mates.
“I don’t know who you’re trying to protect, Elzora—”
“I’m not trying to protect anyone. Well, anyone other than us,”I cut him off.“You’re the only other soul witch I’ve ever heard of, never mind the fact that we’re mates. I need help and, clearly, you’re a bit further along with things than I am.”
“My organisation works on trust. I can’t betray that.”
“What organisation?”I counter. He stays silent.“Have I ever done something that makes you think I’m not trustworthy?”
“No,”he replies.“Your soul is pure, little love.”
“Then why are you keeping things from me?”
“Because I’m not the only party involved.”
“Oh. Another soul witch?”
“No!”He shakes his head, his plait flying about.“He’s just entwined in this and I need to help him. I need to keep his secrets.”
“I understand your loyalties,”I reply, and I see his shoulders relax in the mirror.“But what about your loyalty to me?”
“If I can take the memory from Ryes… then I don’t need to share that you know the truth. You said it yourself, little love, you can’t betray your soul and I’m a part of that.”
“And that won’t hurt you? Having to lie to your organisation?”
“No. You come before that.”I sense a lie within his words, but I don’t spot any tell on his face.
He sighs, rubbing at his cheeks.“You’re about to be returned home, but you are always welcome to come back. Have you started raising the—”
And then I’m yanked from his body, and thrust back into my own. My hair is soaked, my upper body just as wet, and my uniform is sticking to me.
My eyes fly open to meet Ryes, a panicked expression on his face. His eyes are wide, his breathing heavy, and even the sight of my breathing doesn’t seem to settle him.
“You didn’t come back with me. You should’ve woken up before now. I’m a fucking idiot. Your soul was left wandering—”
“No, I was with the man,” I say, cutting him off. Ryes’s face changes to understanding, and he wraps us in that barrier we used when discussing Etrix the other night. “Vitalis… he’s part of an organisation.”
“That’s great,” Ryes groans. “It could” be the High Order, the rebels, or some other kind of secret organisation we don’t even know about. I take it he told you everything?”
The heavy sarcasm isn’t missed, and I shake my head.
“Okay, well, this is the last time we discuss it. At least for now. If you have anotheranima nexumout there, one who could help you navigate this world… your magicae, then we utilise him.”
“He’s my last one,” I reveal and Ryes smiles. “Nine mates. It’s a lot, but I suppose at least it’s not ten.”
He laughs before asking, “Can you dry yourself? Eirik had stepped out once he felt us return to our bodies, and I don’t want him asking questions.”
“Sure,” I murmur. “Sicco.”My clothes dry, my hair following a beat later, and he seems relieved.
“I’ve got so many questions,” he says.
“Can I… can I ask something?”
“Of course, ZoZo.”
“If we needed to take your memory from you, of Vitalis… would that be okay?”
He scrutinises me, his eyes raking over what I’m sure is a terrified expression. “Come here,” he commands, and the serious undertone of his voice has my anxiety rising.
