His finger jabbed toward my face. “You had one mission while I was gone! Report back when Scarlet was awake. What were you doing? Twiddling your fucking thumbs?!”
Well, he caught me there.
River inched closer to us. “She won’t come out of her hut,” I gritted, muttering indignantly. I kept my eyes locked on Father’s, but I could feel River’s trepidation weakening my knees. “You saidyou’d send for me upon your return. I was planning to update you then, but instead I had to come find you. Your guards said you didn’t want company—”
Father threw up his hands. “Did it ever occur to you that maybe I didn’t want your company?! For element’s sake, Fallon, I’m done with your bullshit excuses! Leave.”
He crouched to gather the map strewn across the floor, his movements sharp and dismissive, as though I no longer existed.
My hands balled into fists at my sides as I closed my eyes, waging an internal war with Mean Fallon. She whispered violent temptations, urging me to send a vine crashing through the ceiling to coil around his neck. I could almost see him dangling in the air, gasping for breath, his pride shattered as he begged me to let go.
Pushing Mean Fallon aside, I tucked my tail between my legs and did as commanded, retreating without another word.
Chapter 5
Balancing a breakfast tray in each hand, I turned and pushed the door open with my back. The strained creak of the old, rusty hinges echoed through the hallway, each screech a reminder of how ancient this place was.
Unlike most dungeons, ours wasn’t buried underground. Instead, it’s housed in one of the largest stone buildings near the command center. Up here in the mountains, the ground is nearly impenetrable—solid rock and stone. Digging below the surface would take more work than we could ever spare.
So they built and reinforced everything above ground using construction techniques from when the Hollow was first established after the Battle of Mareki. Our huts might look flimsy, like they’d blow apart in a strong wind, but in reality, they’re the most resilient structures up here. Out of everything—us included—the buildings are the only things guaranteed to outlast another war.
I clicked my tongue, the sharp sound echoing down the empty hall like I was calling a stray pup. As I approached his cell, I triedto think of some clever jab to throw his way but came up empty. After yesterday, I didn’t have the energy for another one-sided sparring of wits. It felt pointless—bickering with myself, since he still hadn’t said a word.
Shayde sat in the same spot as always, slouched against the wall with his arms draped over bent knees. His head rested back, eyes closed. Anyone else might think he was sleeping, but I knew better. And I didn’t give a fuck about him trying to find his peace.
I lifted the wicket with my boot and slid his tray through the bars. “Eat up, Snake. Time to rise and shine,” I cooed, my voice dripping with malice. Settling against the bars opposite his cell, I made myself comfortable for the start of my morning shift.
My tray held the usual breakfast rations for this quarter: a wooden bowl of oatmeal, a banana, two slices of buttered toast, small cubes of cheese, and a mug of tea.
I nudged the oatmeal aside and peeled the banana, biting into it as I mumbled through a mouthful. “I know you’re not asleep, Snake. You can drop the act. Pretending won’t make me leave you alone.”
No answer.
Another morning of playing the hard way.
I glanced around the space, searching for a pebble. Once I spotted one, I channeled my earth element, flicking the pebble straight at his face.
Without even opening his eyes, Shayde caught it midair, reflexes sharp as lightning. Slowly, he opened his eyes, narrowing them into a pointed glare while keeping his head against the wall.
His deep brown eyes, shadowed beneath hooded lids, locked onto mine. The longer strands of his brown hair fell loosely to one side, while the shaved sides had grown out just enough over thepast few weeks to obscure the dragon mark etched on the left side of his skull.
As much as I wanted to leave his ass on the mountain peak that day, orders were orders. My task was to bring in anyone involved in the act that almost ruined Arya for good. After our healers treated Shayde and declared him healthy, they handed him over to me, and I was pleased to toss him into this cell.
It made my fucking year.
“He’s awake! Yay!” I clapped my hands together in mock excitement. “I just love our little chats. Honestly, you’re the highlight of my mornings.”
He flicked the pebble back at me.
I feigned exaggerated shock. “Oh,thatwas rude. Guess you’re asking for Mean Fallon today, huh? Fine by me—she’s my favorite, anyway.”
With a grin, I channeled another pebble, aiming for his face as I popped a cube of cheese into my mouth. He caught it effortlessly—but what he didn’t expect was the second pebble I sent half a second later, attacking from the right.
He let out a grunt, and I couldn’t help bursting into laughter.
“You gonna speak today, Snake?” I taunted.
“That’s not my name.”
