Total pages in book: 214
Estimated words: 195876 (not accurate)
Estimated Reading Time in minutes: 979(@200wpm)___ 784(@250wpm)___ 653(@300wpm)
Estimated words: 195876 (not accurate)
Estimated Reading Time in minutes: 979(@200wpm)___ 784(@250wpm)___ 653(@300wpm)
"So Bastian's father and the Council wants Voss gone," he summarizes when I finish. "And Malakai's being used to create chaos that will justify his removal. And Bastian agrees that you should stay the fuck away from those ruins."
"That about covers it."
Raith runs a hand through his dark hair, his frustration evident. "And we're supposed to navigate this minefield while surviving the Crucible and hoping there are no more siphons waiting to come for us. Wonderful.”
Despite everything, I feel a smile tugging at my lips. "When you put it that way, it sounds almost impossible."
"Almost," he agrees, the corner of his mouth lifting slightly. His eyes meet mine, and for a moment, the rest of the world falls away. It's just us, standing together against impossible odds.
Then reality reasserts itself as a group of third-year earths and fires enters the room. "Oh," a girl at the front says. She notices we're first years, then jerks her head. "Room's ours, now. Out."
"Come on," Raith says, his voice dropping lower. "We should go somewhere private to discuss this further."
My pulse races at his words, at the memory of his lips on mine this morning, at the promise in his eyes when he spoke of taking his time with me.
"Lead the way," I say, my voice steadier than I feel.
We brush past the group of earths and fires who barely seem to notice us.
As we walk back toward the castle, I feel a strange mix of dread and anticipation.
Despite everything dangerous coming our way—or perhaps because of it—I find myself drawn to Raith with a ferocity that should frighten me. In a world where each tomorrow feels uncertain, the promise of tonight, of stolen moments with him, burns brighter than any fear.
"Such longing," Typhon observes with a theatrical sigh. "Is this truly the pinnacle of human existence? Risking all for a few moments of pleasure?"
"It's not just pleasure," I tell him silently. "It's connection. It's not being alone."
"You are never alone, angry human. I am always with you."
His words, grumpy as they are, bring unexpected comfort. "I know, Typhon. And I'm grateful for it."
"As you should be," he huffs, but I feel a swell of warmth through our tether that belies his tone.
The sun begins to set behind the towers of Confluence, casting long shadows across the grounds. In just over a day, the Crucible will begin, and everything will change. But for now, there's tonight. There's Raith. There's a chance, however small, that we might find a moment of peace before the bloodshed that's coming.
33
"I should probably get back soon," I say reluctantly as Raith walks me through the shadowed corridor toward the water tower. There’s a hush through the academy as night falls. Tomorrow is our last day before the Crucible. "The others wanted to meet at midnight. I might try to catch a little sleep before, since tonight may be a late night.”
I feel his eyes on me. "Because of the weapons sabotage.”
I nod. "We only have a small window when Malakai's guards will be away from the cache.”
"And your part in this plan?" he asks, his tone carefully neutral though I can feel his concern seeping through our connection.
"Typhon and I will help Mireen's elemental rust the metal from the inside. Create weak points that will snap under pressure when they try to use them," I explain. "Beck's creating a diversion with some flooding in the courtyard while Brunhild stands lookout."
A muscle in his jaw ticks, and through our tether, I feel his worry for me mingling with admiration. "It's risky. If Malakai catches any of you—"
"He'll try to kill us. Yeah. But he’s going to try to kill us during the Crucible, too. If we do this, we will be protecting others. We’ll be giving them a chance of surviving, however small, if Malakai’s people come for them. So, no, you’re not talking me out of it. Don’t even try.”
He studies me for a long moment, then sighs, running a hand through his dark hair. "Has anyone ever told you you're incredibly stubborn?"
A small smile that tugs at my lips. "You may have mentioned it before.”
Raith's eyes don't leave mine as he seems to come to a decision. "Midnight. That means we still have a couple hours.”
"A couple hours for what," I ask, my pulse quickening at the hunger of his gaze.
"Good," he says, his voice dropping to that low register that makes heat pool low in my belly. "Because I've been thinking."
"What about?" I ask, though I suspect I already know the answer.
His fingers brush mine, sending that familiar spark of magic between us. "We've both been training hard today. I feel pretty filthy."
"Okay," I manage, despite the sudden dryness of my throat. It's not what he's saying, it's how he's saying it. It's the way his eyes are practically devouring me.