He snorted at that, actually briefly smiling. I was so shocked I could only blink at him in surprise.
“What?” he asked. “I’m capable of laughter, you know.”
“I wasn’t aware the soulless could feel joy.”
He smirked that devilishly handsome grin that had me looking away, clearing my throat.
“What am I doing wrong?” I asked a moment later, voice softer, more vulnerable, than before.
He sighed.
“I don’t know,” he confessed and my heart fell. I hadn’t realized I'd been harboring a hope that he secretly knew a quick and easy way to call the dark and was just waiting to see if I could figure it out on my own. That hope shattered as he spoke, along with any illusion I’d had that either of us truly knew what we were doing. “I thought replicating near death experiences would instigate the corruption and help you call the dark but I don’t think you believe I might actually kill you. Though I can’t imagine why.”
“Not for any great feeling you’ve shown me, I assure you,” I replied sarcastically. “It’s simple logic really. You need me. You,Prima, all ofArchí. So why would you risk truly harming me? You wouldn’t. I think, subconsciously, I know that. So manufacturing that primal fear isn’t going to be possible. Not here. Not with you.”
He was nodding along as though he’d already thought of all this himself and was just seeking confirmation.
“Then we’ll have to switch tactics,” he told me. “Give me the night to consider it. Meet me at the tree line at sunrise.”
Before I could answer, he was gone, striding away toward a nearby group of warriors who grinned broadly when he approached, clapping him on the back in welcome.
I wasn’t alone for long. A woman approached as soon asGryfonstepped into a nearby tent with the warriors who'd greeted him. She held out a bundle of fresh clothing and smiled warmly.
“Fallen,” she spoke softly. “I’m to show you to your tent.”
I nodded and strolled away with her through the rows of canvas andcook firesuntil we reached a set of three tents, newly erected on the edge of the encampment. Candlelight already flickered within one and I could see two shapes moving about inside. One feminine and one masculine. They appeared to be arguing. I sighed. Darius and Roxy. And when the woman led me to the closest tent and held open the flap, I could only assume the far one was for Kane and Hugh.
I nodded my thanks as I stepped into the tent to findZyaalready there. She was spreading out the blankets on her cot as she readjusted the clothing they'd given her. It was simple garb. Charcoal pants and a purple shirt that hung loosely on her frame with acriss-crosspattern across her chest. Her eyes darted to the similar clothing bundle in my own arms as the woman who'd brought me here scurried away before I could properly thank her.
“It’s not so bad,” she said as if attempting to preemptively cut off any complaints I might have about this place. “They’re a bit strange, sure, but they’re welcoming at least. And no one’s tried to kill us yet. That’s a plus.”
I snorted.
“Give it time,” I joked and she chuckled.
“You should talk to him,” she said after a moment, her voice falling more serious as I began to undress.
I cast a glance over my shoulder as I stripped off my sweat-stained shirt, raising a brow.
“Who?” I asked.
“Darius,” she clarified. “Roxy's at her wit’s end. Kane has all but given up on him. Even Hugh’s near infinite patience is almost depleted. There’s a darkness in him, Adrian, something festering. It'll only get worse if it isn’t addressed.”
“And you think I can succeed where the others have failed?”
“You’re his best friend.”
“I was. He made it very clear, while we were in the Underground, I’m not anymore. They are.”
“They don’t know him like you do and you know it. Besides, it’s not them he blames for all this.”
I whirled to face her.
“You think it’s my fault—” I started, outraged. ButZyaheld up a hand.
“I don’t,” she said. “But he does. It needs to be addressed.”
Zyahad an annoying habit of being right. I'd learned that quickly in what little time I'd known her. So, with a sigh, I tied the string of my pants and headed for the tent opening.
