“Don’t test my patience.”
Jax flashes her a wild smile, but says nothing.
Vera turns to Ri. “Ri, this is important. I wouldn’t be here if it wasn’t, you know that. You don’t need to do anything, just tell us how to reach Oka Oya.”
“Fine, I’ll tell you where to find her so you can get rejected yourself,” Ri says. “She doesn’t train anymore. Hasn’t for manydecades. In fact, she refuses to have anything to do with Ezkai or Decarios, so be aware that you’ll probably be turned away.”
“I’ll take my chances,” I say.
“For Oka Oya to even consider entertaining the idea of being your guide and teacher, you must prove to her you’re worthy,” Ri says.
I speak before Vera can open her mouth. “How can I do that?”
“You need to bring her a gift,” Ri says.
I almost roll my eyes.Pfft, that’s easy.
“Consider it done.” I wave my hand. “What kind of gift?”
Ri’s wrinkled lips curl into a wicked grin. “You need no ordinary gift, Ezkai Phoenix. A gift has to show Oka Oya that you’re worthy of her consideration.”
I exchange a look with Vera. She purses her lips and hums.
“That’s rather vague,” I murmur. “It could be anything.”
“Don’t worry about it. I have just the right gift in mind,” Vera says after a pause.
“Good luck, Ezkai Phoenix,” Ri says, her old eyes boring into mine. I dip my chin in a silent thanks. She turns to Vera. “A private word before you leave.”
They rise to their feet and Vera follows Ri into another room.
Jax’s eyes are bright with mischief, his long finger tracing a sharp jaw. He says nothing to me, though. But I can tell there’s something he’s eager to share with me. Trying to avoid speaking to this asshole, I rise to my feet and go to stand by the entrance door while I wait for Vera to come back.
Of course that bastard follows me.
Jax is so annoying. He’s sleazy, talks too much, and every time he’s in the room with me, I want to stab him with one of my daggers.
Apparently, my glare gives away my thoughts, because Jax says, “Oh, I see you have lots of feelings for me, darling. It’s okayif you hate me now. Foster that hate, that anger and rage. Coddle it inside you for a good while, I don’t mind. Sooner or later, you’ll have to release all those emotions and I’ll make sure to be there so I can help you deal with all thosepassionsin the most…efficient way.”
“Yes. You’ll definitely be there when I finally decide that I’m ready to stab you with one of my knives and release thosepassions.”
He chuckles. I want to punch him for it.
Standing very close to me, he picks up a loose strand of my hair and playfully twirls it around his ringed finger. His words are merely louder than a whisper. “I didn’t think you were a rat, Phoenix darling.”
I frown and slap his hand away. “I don’t understand what you mean.”
“I tell you a secret and you run to your boyfriend the moment you have a chance?” He clicks his tongue. I blink. “I’m lucky I have a mouth on me, and the irresistible talent of talking myself out of any situation. Otherwise, you would have lost an ally.”
My gaze darts to the bruise under his eyes. Is this…Daegel’s doing? Oh gods. Of course it is. It’s barely been hours since I asked him about Jax.
“Will you two stop bickering already?” Vera’s voice comes from behind me. “Jax, step away from Phoenix. Until I can trust you, I need you to stay three feet away from her at all times.”
Jax looks like a wounded animal. “I’m offended. We’re playing for the same team. I offered my life to you the other night. Is that not enough?”
Vera arches an eyebrow at him. I’m terrified he’ll tell Vera I met Daegel, that I told him about Jax’s involvement. But when he meets my gaze, he only winks.
It’s dangerous that we share this secret. It’s unsettling that Daegel is trying to get me to drop out. That’s he’s willing to get brutal like this when he’s displeased.
