“How did you know?” My cheeks redden, heat creeping down my chest. “That I…” My words seize on my tongue so I tap my temple.
Tallulah takes my hand again. The light gray tunic she wears hangs loosely from her body and the leather bag on her waist bumps me as she moves closer. “My husband, Evren, has the same trouble sometimes. Worrisome thoughts. Nervousness. It’s nothing to be ashamed of, Elora.” She smiles again, gesturing to my tightly clenched fists.
I relax them under her gaze, sweeping a strand of hair from my face, pretending as if I haven’t been on edge since I woke up this morning.
“The tea will only help relax you,” she says. “I encourage you to try it.” Her hands slip from mine as she turns for the door.
“Thank you.” I grip the satchel tighter and bring it to my nose, inhaling the sweet tang of jasmine and soothing chamomile.
“Oh, before I forget.” She turns, facing me again. “Sorin wanted me to tell you that they're conferring in the meeting room, they’re waiting to start discussions until you arrive.”
My heart constricts, and as soon as the door closes, I clutch the satchel in my hands like a lifeline.
Twenty-Nine
Sorin
The longer westay at the Jade Guild, the more I realize just how small the rooms are. The six of us fight for space around the small table in the conference room. The same room I met Thaddeus in just a couple of weeks ago where I once marveled at the beauty of the greenery and openness, only now it feels stifling.
“We can’t stay here long,” Agnes says. “Noneof us.” She nods to Evren and Thaddeus across the table.
“You’re asking us to leave the Jade Guild?” Evren’s brows furrow. He and Thaddeus exchange a glance.
“If what Elora and Sorin say is true, Galen will know where Sorin is hiding,” Agnes says. “He knows of mine and William’s ties to the Jade Guild. He’s a smart boy despite this cruelty.” Agnes closes her eyes and takes a long breath. “It’s only a matter of time before the guards are at your doorstep, Thaddeus. Look at what he’s done to my home.” Her voice shakes on the last word, and I’m grateful for my sister who takes her hand, giving it a squeeze.
Agnes clears her throat and sips her tea. “He’s cornering us,” she says. “He knew burning Loxley would drive us out. Would drive ushere.”
I run a hand across my stubbled jaw. I’m so used to taking the lead, I’ve almost forgotten where I’ve learned it from. Agnes glances at me across the table. “My mother is right,” I say. “He didn’t find what he needed in Loxley, so he’ll know where to look next. I’d be surprised if we have more than a few days.”
Thaddeus shakes his head, his gray eyes focusing on his lap. “We’ve been safe here?—”
“We’ve been hiding,” Evren says, sharp enough that his uncle’s gaze snaps to him. Their silent exchange sends a pulse of energy around the table.
Elora and Calix flank my sides and I can practically feel them tense.
“When Sorin showed up at the Jade Guild,” Evren continues, “we promised we’d make a change. Didn’t we?” Thaddeus remains silent but he nods. “The last thing I want to do is leave, but what other choice do we have, Uncle? Do we hold our ground and risk the lives of those we harbor? Do we fight, knowing the odds are stacked against us?”
Thaddeus sighs as he rubs his eyes. “We’ll do no such thing. Not without resources, anyway.”
“And where will we find these resources?” Elora asks. I slide my gaze to her, admiring the look of determination set in the sharp features of her face. “I’m not opposed to a fight.” This earns her a smile but she’s so focused on Thaddeus it goes unnoticed, so I brush the back of her hand with my knuckles under the table.
“You can stay at the Onyx Guild.” All eyes turn to Lord Calix. He straightens his shoulders, puffing out his chest. “We had planned for some of you to arrive anyway, we can certainly make accommodations for more.” He looks at me, perhaps waitingfor approval, but I remain silent. The idea of moving everyone from the Jade Guild, including those from Loxley, all the way across the Trinity Forest and up the Kirsguard Mountains feels impossible. But I know my mother is right, there’s no other choice but to leave. “It will at least buy us more time,” Calix says. “If this Galen person is as determined as you claim?—”
“He is,” Elora says. “He won’t stop until he gets exactly what he wants, which is the Awakening Stones and me.” She bites her bottom lip, and I can see the thoughts swarming in her eyes. She sacrificed herself once before to save the Stones, I’ll be damned if I let her do it again.
I take her hand under the table and give it a squeeze which seems to snap her out of her thoughts momentarily.
She mouths “thank you” and it takes a great deal of strength not to lean over and kiss her.
“So, we’re all in agreement then?” Thaddeus asks, glancing at each of us around the table and one by one, we nod. “Then we shall head to the Onyx Guild in waves. Starting with the children and elders tonight. I don’t want to waste any more time.” Thaddeus runs a hand through his thin, gray hair. It trembles as he places it back on the table.
“We have failed you,” he says, pointing his attention to Elora and Sam. “We closed our doors to protect one but turned a cold shoulder to so many. This ends now. Our people will fight.”
“As will ours,” Agnes says.
Elora tookthe wolves out for a quick walk around the Jade Guild with Tallulah. Her presence has seemed to ease Elora and she insists she’s fine but my mind keeps replaying the bruiseson her skin from our first night at the Onyx Guild. Yellow and purple marks made from him.
From Galen. My fist clench at my sides as I pace back and forth. Sam and Jarek enter the room without a knock or a hello.
