I tried my best not to appear just as surprised as they were at my sudden display of physical magic as I glared at him.
“Are you going to tell me why you captured me against my will?” I snapped. “Again?”
He cringed at my tone, at the hatred I was pouring into it. His eyes widened slightly with sorrow. I felt a pulse of sadness plunge into me and knew he had allowed that wall to open, just a little, just enough that I could feel his pain. But I gritted my teeth against it and kept my gaze narrowed at him.
“My father has told you his side of the story,” Lark said then, his voice low, expression grim. “Let me tell you mine.”
“And why should I hear it? Why should I listen to what my kidnapper has to say?”
“Because you deserve to know the truth.”
I barked out a bitter laugh.
“Oh now, suddenly, I deserve the truth,” I scoffed. “You didn’t think I deserved the truth during those weeks we spent together in the Court of Light and Life, or when you pulled me through that rift into this immortal plane without my consent, or when—”
“Yes, I did. But knowing the truth puts you in danger. I thought I was protecting you from that.”
I strode forward until I was inches away from his face again and narrowed my glare, arranging my expression into a sneer.
“I can protect myself,” I growled. “I don’t need you.”
His gaze flicked over me, from my dark, kohl-lined eyes, to my brown training attire.
“Maybe not,” he muttered with a frown.
“Just let him tell you what happened, Ren, please,” Cass was pleading with me from where she stood beside Rook.
Rook hadn’t relaxed entirely, not yet, not until he could determine for certain whether I was a threat or not. His hands still rested on his weapons but relaxed as my gaze flicked to his. I looked over at Cass once, noting the bags under her shining eyes.
“And how do I know that this time he’s telling me the truth?” I asked, crossing my arms and raising a brow.
“I’ll let down my wall,” Lark drawled from behind me.
I froze, every muscle in my body going rigid. When I turned back to face him, he was already staring back, that intense gaze boring into me. He meant it.
“You’ll let me in?” I asked.
“Entirely,” he told me. “No tricks. Nothing hidden. You can see for yourself that I’m not lying. You can feel everything I felt when I did what I did.”
“Lark—” Rook started to argue but quieted at one quick glance from his master.
I watched him warily. He stood in front of me, still as stone, jaw clenched but dark eyes aflame with that familiar determination.
“Fine,” I said in agreement. “Where can we go?”
He reached out a hand and I knew what he was offering. Shadowstep. With a shaky breath, I took it.
Chapter twenty-six
A Confession From the Heart
Theworldblinkedawayand returned. Some of the dizzying sensation was diminishing. I supposed that meant I was getting used to it. But it still nauseated me, the feeling of being ripped out of the world and tossed back into it.
It took me a moment to realize that we were in the horrendous orange-covered apartment from the Court of Wanderers, the first place he had ever taken me in this realm, the place where he had offered me his friendship, his understanding, and the chance to figure out who I could be here. I had felt fear here and even a bit of hope, excitement at the scholastic opportunity. Now, I looked at that orange leather sofa and felt only hate.
“The Court of Wanderers?” I asked with a raised brow, hesitating in the center of the room while the Fae spread out all around me.
Rook wandered into the kitchen where he leaned against a counter and waited, giving us space but remaining near enough to intervene if necessary. Cass strode away to the windows, looking down at the city beyond and averting her gaze as if that might make this easier for her. Lark kept his eyes on me, mimicking my movements so as not to appear threatening.
