“I wouldn’t hurt innocents,” Cayden said evenly. “Dalila is only sixteen, and her leg was shattered in the blast. I know because it wasmymagic that knit it back together.”
The three men grumbled, tossing scenarios back and forth. Cayden kissed the side of my head and pulled me closer.
Finally, a fourth man joined the group, confirming he’d had eyes on Cayden, snooping around the building until the explosion hit. Reluctantly, in exchange for his help in healing the injured, Cayden was allowed to leave with all his limbs intact.
“Rowan goes too,” one of the Westwater elders added. “Until we get to the bottom of this, our borders are closed.”
My heart squeezed.
I walked them to their horses, waiting just outside the front doors. Turning to Rowan first, I gave him a hug and a kiss before Cayden pulled me out of his arms and held me close.
“I’ll get back in,” he whispered.
“Don’t.” I pushed back. “Don’t make things worse, please. I’m happy, safe, and I’m taking some time to figure myself out.”
Cayden’s nostrils flared, and Rowan’s body heat pressed against my back. I’d never been kissed goodbye by two at once. Heat lingered on my neck, blood still racing as they pulled away. With a pod of Westwaters at their heels, the night swallowed them whole.
What I didn’t tell Cayden was worse. Without an outlet, my magic would build. I hadn’t thought about the old blackouts, but ten days was a dangerous stretch.
“Cayden’s not great with words, is he?” Silas asked.
I looked away from the spot Cayden and Rowan had disappeared into. “That would be an understatement.”
Silas scowled. “I still don’t like him. Let’s get you back to my home. The Westwater lands will be a bloodbath by morning.”
Chapter 20
Rowan
IlookedatCaydenand my TBs, both resting on Cayden’s small kitchen table. Messages in baby blue glowed.
“The Architect’s pissed,” Cayden said.
I grunted.
Cayden’s eyes flew wide. “If you’re not disagreeing, then he really is.”
I took a deep breath. “You and I both saw Quinn yesterday.” I pointed at myself. “Me, because I passed a test he couldn’t.” I pointed at Cayden. “You, by breaking every rule and using the explosion.”
Cayden grunted. “Rules exist for people willing to follow them.”
“I liked it better when you were willing.”
Cayden’s face darkened.
I grinned and whacked him on the back. “Too soon?”Cayden tried to scowl, but a bit of a smile pulled at his mouth. I’d take it.
“In eight days, Quinn faces trials to prove her free will. Joe says the explosion came from a rogue Westwater branch; now the whole family’s hunting them. Explosions aren’t tolerated. Between that and your stunt, the Westwaters closed their borders. Quinn’s off limits.”
Cayden’s eyes narrowed, twisting my warning into a challenge.
“Look, we know she’s safe.” I rubbed my shoulder as if it would help calm down my highly strung friend. “Brit and Joe are with her and keeping us updated. Instead of wasting our energy trying to get to her, what can we do to help from here?”
Cayden crossed his arms and scowled at the TB.
“Yeah. Exactly.” I finally picked mine up. “We worked together fine last time.”
“‘Fine’ is debatable,” Cayden muttered, picking his up too. “Mine's a summons to his office.”
