I glance around, taking in my surroundings for the first time since we fire traveled here, noticing the space for what it is. Water stains streak the walls. The ocean whispers through gaps in the stone—a hungry, sucking sound, as though it’s chewing away the tower. Moisture slicks the floor, reflecting torchlight in greasy patches, and the air tastes of salt and rot.
“Oh god.” Understanding hits like ice water. “The walls. The floors. Everything’s wet.”
“Your electricity would have conducted through it all. Every person in this tower would have been hit. The ones dancing in puddles upstairs, the ones leaning against damp walls…” His jaw works like he’s grinding glass between his teeth. “Some would just get painful jolts. Others, the ones standing in the wrong spots or touching metal...”
My stomach twists. “I could have killed them.”
“But you didn’t.” His eyes find mine. “Because I was here.”
“How did you even know to be here?” The question bursts out before I can stop it. “Just like in the dining hall, when Callie was goading me and you stopped my magic from coming out, and when you saved me at exactly the right second from the Hydra.”
He goes still. Too still. Like a predator caught mid-hunt, deciding whether to attack or flee.
I don’t care. I just keep going. “Can you see the future or something? Get visions?”
A short, humorless laugh escapes him. “I’m not a prophet, Jade. I don’t get visions of the future.”
“Then how do you keep showing up at the exact moment I need saving?”
“I needed to use the bathroom.” He shrugs. “Same as you. Lucky timing.”
“Three times isn’t luck. It’s a pattern.”
“Drop it.” The command is sharp with authority, and the air between us thickens, pressing against my skin.
“No.” I level my gaze with his. “You keep showing up at the exact moment?—”
“What did Alessandra say to you?” he cuts me off. “What made you lose control?”
It’s an obvious dodge, but remembering Alessandra’s words makes my anger spike anyway. “She was protecting Callie’sterritory.Warning me off. Said you two are meant to betogether, that you’ve been spending all this time together, something about private sessions...”
Darkness flashes across his face, and his hand twitches toward me before he forces it back to his side.
“She brought up your parents.” The words come out quieter. “She said Callie helped you through it. That the two of you have history—realhistory, I think was her exact wording.”
His body goes rigid, and for a moment, I think he might punch through the stone wall.
“Callie and I are done.” He meets my eyes. “We’ve been done for years now.”
My heart jumps. Because something about the way he said it makes me believe it. Also because he doesn’t owe me an explanation at all, seeing as we technically barely know each other, yet he’s still making sure I know.
Part of me wants to ask more. But from the way he’s looking at me, like he’s about to snap, I know pushing for more would drive him away. And given the progress we’ve been making so far tonight, the last thing I want is to push him away.
“Well.” I force out lightness I don’t feel. “I suppose I should thank you for saving my life. Again.”
The moment the words leave my mouth, I know we’re both thinking about it. The forest. The Hydra. The way it felt when he had me pinned to the ground and we crashed together for the first time.
“Is that what you think I want? Gratitude?” he asks, the word coming out like it tastes bitter, his hands flexing at his sides.
“Isn’t it?”
His jaw tightens. “Go back upstairs.”
“No.”
“Jade—”
“You just compelled another witch. Then you tried to compel me.” I step closer, electricity humming under my skin. “I asked before, and I’ll ask again—what are you?”
