Eira still remembered the flash beads, a strange substance that she had confiscated off the first Pillar she ran into. The Specters had said then that Adela was known to transport it. But then, later, they had said it wasn’t theStormfrostthat liberated Ferro from his prison, and that there wasn’t any sign of Adela anywhere near Meru. Least of all in the waters between Meru and Solaris.
She sighed. “Ducot, you know these dynamics better than I do… Do you think Adelawouldwork with the Pillars?”
“I think Adela will do whatever suits Adela. She’s not exactly known for her warmth or charity, or for basing her decisions on morals or ethics. If it benefits her, it’s done. She’s not really one to be questioned by anyone within her ranks.” Ducot spoke verymatter-of-factly. “She would be someone who would have no qualms teaming up with a man like Ulvarthifshe thought there was more to gain than lose. But, right now, I can’t imagine what that gain would be for her.”
Eira was inclined to agree. Perhaps after Ulvarth claimed power on Meru he’d attract Adela’s eye. Unless Adela thought she had more to gain by siding with him early? Or, Adela was looking for an opportunity to capitalize on the chaos…
Shelfing the thoughts, for now, Eira said, “Speaking of Ulvarth… I thought I saw him earlier.”
“What?” the room said in unison.
Eira gave a solemn nod and braced herself for their reaction as she confessed, “It’s why I allowed myself to be hurt. I thought I saw him taking away an injured competitor.”
“Youallowedyourself to be hurt?” Alyss frowned.
“Not badly. But if it was Ulvarth, I wanted to get him without raising suspicion. I couldn’t just run out of the arena.”
“You went alone.” Disapproval was all over Alyss.
“I…” Eira trailed off, unable to deny or defend her actions. She knew this moment was coming. “I wanted to tell one of you. I tried to find an opening but it happened so fast and I didn’t see another way at the time.”
Alyss looked away, her lips tugging deeper into a frown.
“I take it that it wasn’t him after all?” Ducot asked.
“I couldn’t find him.” Eira sighed. “But that doesn’t mean it wasn’t. He’s not going to be caught that easily. I should have known better.”Do better, Eira scolded herself internally. She still wasn’t good enough for any of this and she didn’t have time to waste on mediocrity. Especially not when taking those risks meant upsetting her friends and having nothing to show for it.
“Well, there are Pillars here and their end goal is still unknown. It’s not far-fetched to think Ulvarth could be amongthem.” Ducot stretched. “For now, I think we should all go to bed so we can rest up and begin getting ready for tomorrow.”
“I’ll see you out,” Noelle offered.
“Thank you.” Ducot smiled slightly, following her downstairs.
Alyss and Eira didn’t move. Eira could feel the aura of disapproval radiating off Alyss. The air was thick with all the words unsaid.
“I know what you’re going to say,” Eira said softly.
Alyss sighed and looked away. Somehow the silence was worse than anything she could’ve said.
“I really…I really did try. I did think of you all. I just… It was an opportunity—or I thought it was—and I wasn’t sure what else to do,” Eira rambled. Alyss seemed more than content to wait for her to say the words that she should have led with. “I’m sorry.”
“None of us want to control you, or hold you back,” Alyss finally said. “We just want you to be careful—to include us. You say you will…but then when the moment comes, you barrel headfirst without a second thought and it makes me feel foolish for expecting anything different.”
“Alyss—”
“Eira, you either trust us, and want to work with us, or you don’t.”
“I do.”
“Then act like it.” Alyss finally looked at her with pain-filled eyes.
“What do you want me to do if I see him? Let him go?” Eira crossed over to lean against the wall opposite her friend.
“If you can’t chase him down safely,yes.” Alyss locked eyes with her. “It’s one thing if he corners you—then fight. But don’t run into danger. You shouldn’t go after Ulvarth alone, ever. And if that means he walks free, then so be it.”
“I can’t promise that,” Eira admitted. “If I have a chance to end him, I must take it. No matter what the cost.”
“He’s not worth your life.”
