“I don’t want to hurt Cvareh,” she breathed, her voice slowly coming back. The magic seemed to place priority on what was vital, followed by functions she put demands on—like her sight or voice.
“You’re not going to hurt me,” he insisted.
“The Dragon is right. His body produces blood much faster than yours does, even as a new Chimera,” Derek said. “Your blood will run black when his fades and your body begins producing new Chimera blood on its own. We just reprogrammed your liver, in essence.”
Florence nodded and Derek began removing the restraints. He left only the ones on her right arm until he finally turned off the machine and plucked the needles from her skin nonchalantly. Florence watched as she bled a dark gold that was quickly stopped by her flesh knitting.
“Just rest here for a bit. Don’t try to get up yet.” He started for the door. “I’m going to get some medicine, just to be safe, and some food.”
“Then it’s to bed with you,” Arianna finished as he left the room.
Florence smiled tiredly at her. Ari always had looked out for her, ever since they first met. It wasn’t until this trip that Florence really noticed the fact. And her opinion of it shifted colors alongside her blood.
“Did you ever think I would be a Chimera?” She flexed her hand, imagining herself as much stronger than she likely was.
“No, and I wish you didn’t have to endure that,” Arianna muttered.
“But I’m rather glad I did.” She spoke softly, hoping her words didn’t upset Arianna too terribly.
“Flor—”
“Ari,” for the first time, Florence interrupted her teacher with purpose. “I can be someone now. It didn’t hit me until I was here, until we made this journey. But I can do more than just make guns and bombs. I canusethem. Everyone here is fighting, and I can help them.”
“What are you saying?” Quiet panic tinted her voice.
“I want to help the rebellion.”
“They haven’t confirmed there is one,” Arianna pointed out.
Florence gave her a look that she hoped communicated how much she appreciated being treated like she was stupid. “Well, if there is, I want to help.”
“Why?” Arianna’s arms dropped to her side. Her shoulders fell. Even Cvareh took note of the uncharacteristic change in the woman.
“Ari, you taught me to believe in possibility. I escaped the Ravens not because I truly wanted to find my calling, but because I just didn’t want to be killed when I couldn’t pass the aptitude test.” Florence sat straighter, her back coming off the recline of the chair. “You were the one who taught me to see Loom as it could be. You wanted me to strive to dream, and I thought you were crazy but I did it anyway because you were the person who saved me and because I wanted to appease you. I never saw it.
“But I see it now, Arianna. I see it now, your vision. I want to fight for it with these people. I can make a difference here. I can fight for real, positive change.” Florence swallowed, Arianna’s stare a black hole that was consuming her optimism and emotions. “Y-you can too. You can do what you always wanted to do. You can really fight against the Dragons. Can we stay?”
“No,” Arianna dismissed her outright.
Florence stared in shock. “Why?Why?Isn’t this everything you ever said you wanted?”
“Flor, we were fine in Dortam, you and I. We can go back, we can live our lives.”
“You taught me to see past what Loom is to what it could be, and now that I can, now that I do, you want me to stand to the side?” Florence balked. “What did we do this for? What did you do this for? Wasn’t it for a boon to help you change this world?”
Arianna didn’t answer, and her silence stung to a degree that was nearly as great as the transition had been. Florence fell back into her chair.
“Do you really want what’s best for Loom?” she whispered. “Or do you only want what’s best for yourself?”
“Watch your tongue.”
“Watch yours, Arianna.” Florence was on her feet.
“Should you be standing?” Cvareh had been entirely forgotten.
“Don’t lie to me—tell me straight. Did you ever have any intention of really fighting to win back the Loom you claim to love? Or have you only ever fought for the past under the guise of being a champion for the future?”
Arianna scowled down at her and Florence looked up without hesitation or remorse. Maybe it was the new blood in her veins that made her bold. Maybe it was the struggles she’d overcome on the journey. But she was no longer the girl Arianna had found on the streets of Ter.4.2. She no longer needed saving, which meant Arianna could no longer fill the role of savior. Florence was becoming something more, and she needed Arianna to rise to the task and do the same.
