“I still don't fully trust you, but I trust you more than I did before.”
“Well, I suppose that's something.”
“So, who were you talking about?” I asked.
“That man. Caleb. You like him.”
“Yes. We dated, but . . . actually, no, we didn't really date. We had sex regularly. But I didn't get to know him. Now, I can.”
“I think he's good for you. You need someone who isn't focused on fighting. Someone more like you. Or the man you were.”
“Maybe,” I murmured. “Why do you care?”
“Because you need mental stability to become as great as I know you can be without suffering the same fate as Aranren. To have that, you need someone like Caleb around. Someone safe to confide in who isn't one of your lovers.”
“I guess that would be nice. But he's not going to be here for long.”
“Where is he going? He has no home and no money to purchase one.”
“Shit, you're right. They may have to rebuild the village.”
“So Aranren can return and burn it down again?”
“How would he know to do that?”
A pause. “You're implying that I might tell him?”
I shrugged.
“I wouldn't.”
“Then they should be safe there.” I pondered the idea further. “In fact, Fress may be the safest place for them. The Corrupter thinks it's destroyed beyond repair. He'd never imagine that anyone would return. I think I'll talk to General Rontor about it.”
“Yes, perhaps that's a good idea,” Death said. “Now, have you given any thought to my tutelage?”
“How so?”
“You know what I'm offering, Ember. I can make you stronger.”
“I just reminded you that I can't use Death Magic except in an emergency.”
“And what happens when that emergency arrives and you don't know how to properly use the magic?”
“I did just fine when I freed the kids.”
“Must I truly remindyouthat I helped you with that? Greatly.”
“No, you don't have to remind me. I know you helped, and I'm grateful for it. But there's no way the guys will let me train with you.”
“Why not ask them?”
Look at that; I had climbed six flights of stairs and barely noticed. Now, I stood before our suite door.
“You need to tell them about what happened with your wraith anyway,” Death drawled.
“Fuck,” I hissed. “You're right; I do.”
Why did I keep putting that off? It had gone on so long now that it would be difficult to tell them. It felt as if I'd been keeping it a secret when it wasn't like that at all.
