“Theworst?” Wyatt snapped. “Your mother could be there. With her entire Chain. Maybe they actually kill you this time. Rafe’s father will be there. He’s been trying to get Skye alone for months. And even worse still – what ifmyfucking father is there? None of us can protect ourselves if he’s there. He’ll have you all in a fucking mental facility within minutes.”
“No, he won’t, Wyatt.” Rafe sighed. “I can protect you.”
“You can’t protect all of us and still be of any use,” Wyatt snapped.
“I can.”
All three of us looked to Skye.
Wyatt looked like he was in physical pain. He shook his head almost frantically, slowing when Skye spoke again.
“I can block all of our minds, even as I infiltrate someone else’s,” she went on. “They won’t even feel me.”
“My father would,” Wyatt said weakly.
“He doesn’t even feelme, Wy.” Rafe reasoned with him in a way that told me they’d had this conversation before. “Whoever was in Landon’s head, pushing him into that fight didn’t feel Skye.”
Wyatt looked to Skye, who nodded grimly.
“Can’t you feel it, Wyatt?” Skye asked gently, so gently it gave me chills. She was using the same voice she used when we were alone when I was on my knees for her. “You know I can do it. Have a little faith.”
Wyatt looked away sharply, like that would break whatever spell she’d put on him, but he nodded curtly.
“Alright,” Skye said. “Now that that’s settled, let’s come up with a plan.”
Chapter 49
Skye
Health class was a blur.
The gala was days away. Ben wasn’t my father. My mother had lied to us. Levi…
I didn’t want to be in class, but I had way too many absences. There was no being kicked out of an academy like this, there was only forced conscription. I wanted to avoid that at all costs, and I was fighting every urge I had that wanted me to use my Royal powers for evil and get Aiden and I out of here.
We were outside today while Coach worked with some of the earth affinates. Aiden was in the affinity gym practicing the zaps, and I’d been paired up with River.
As usual, he’d been ignoring me. I’d sat down on a log so I could wallow, and at some point, I’d noticed River making some ivy vines grow up a nearby tree. It was a beautiful demonstration of an earth affinity, and it made me remember the flowers Wyatt had grown, which made me think of the secret garden I’d found first term. It wasn’t too far from here, I was pretty sure. Maybe I could sneak away.
Can I come home to grab something?
Zephyr was quiet for a few minutes.
This is your home, Skye. You come and go as you please, you don’t ask me for permission.
I breathed out slowly, fighting a grin.
I probably won’t get a chance to see you, I’ll be busy.Zephyr sighed.Business is booming ever since those cult weirdos showed up.
They’re still there?
Unfortunately. All they’re doing is gathering for protests, so it’s not like anything can be done.
I shook my head as I looked at my hands. He had a point.
I’ll see you if I can. I just need some shoes for this gala.
I still think I should go, too.Zephyr’s tone soured and I almost rolled my eyes. I did want to bring him along, but it was my first outing as a member of a Royal Chain. His being there would only add fuel to the gossip for now.
