Alex took it all in, though I had no concept of his reaction. We were out of each other’s minds now.
‘We could’ve been friends, too,’he said after a moment.‘You were like a son to me. Such a fast learner, and you’re still using your skills.’
‘I didn’t make that collar.’I clenched my jaw.‘And if you wanted to be my dad so badly, you could have come with me when I left.’
Resentment, I wasn’t sure I could ever let go of, soured my thoughts. I’d been so young. I’d spent my life being told I was alone and my Majekah was wrong, only to find myself with another mentalist—someone like me. Alex was right. We could have been friends or closer, but that’s not what happened.
Alex didn’t respond. He never would.
Cayden tapped his foot. The boxes emptied. We were among the last still seated.
But as long as Alex sat in his booth collecting the surface thoughts of everyone around him, I had to do the same. I wasn’t playing nice Architect anymore. I was born with an advantage, and I was foolish for not utilizing it.
“Did Alex do anything?” Cayden asked at last.
“No.” I leaned back. “Whatever plan Teivel has up his sleeve, his mentalist either doesn’t know about it, or it doesn’t involve these tests.”
“How’d we do today?” Rowan asked.
I put my hands in the air. “I would say good. People’s surface thoughts are all over the place.” I didn’t look at Rowan or Cayden, but I let their response to my words fill my subconscious. My mind magic still made Rowan nervous, but in this, he was grateful. Cayden straight-up didn’t care. Without magic, his Prophet had controlled his entire existence.
I wasn’t special.
‘At least you’re honest about it,’Cayden thought loud enough I couldn’t miss it.
I studied the much too intuitive rune-master, who’d just guessed my exact thought, before continuing as if nothing had happened. “I couldn’t hear myself in any of her answers. I certainly wouldn’t have suggested handing Matt over to myself. I wouldn’t have even mentioned that possibility because it would make people think about it. So possibly really bad, because now people are thinking about it.” I steepled my fingers. “I think Deirdre’s attempt to use this as a platform to discredit me was also blatant, and her lack of research on Seth shows her true goals. Whether anyone cares about that more than the question of Quinn’s free will remains to be seen.”
Rowan nodded.
“I think her response to Erick was the most interesting,” Cayden began.
We didn’t move until I felt Alex and his keeper retreat—slinking back to whatever playpen the McDonalds were keeping them in.
Only then did we step out as a trio. Rowan took position at my back, instinctive and silent, while Cayden walked at my side, already dissecting Quinn’s answers aloud.
I wanted to go to Quinn. I couldn’t.
Ezra’s nightly report and Brit’s TB messages would have to be enough. I buried myself in Cayden’s analysis and hoped it would keep the waiting at bay.
Once back at my castle, an awkward tension kept us lingering outside the stable. I didn’t need to read anyone’s mind. For better or worse, none of us were ready to retreat to our dark, empty accommodations—temporary or otherwise.
“My desk should be finished,” Cayden said, rubbing his horse’s neck. “We’ll check it now.”
He hadn’t asked; he’d declared.
Rowan and I shared a look. The changes in Cayden over the last few days hadn’t been subtle. His shoulders were straighter. He’d taken to wearing the standard trainee pants, but had pilfered one of my enforcer’s simple black tunics. A single green earring gleamed on one ear once more.
A few flakes drifted down. Winter would blanket us any day now, and the world would hunker down until spring brought new resources.
Inside my office, Cayden’s desk stood built to spec. I hated the arrangement, but I knew when I needed help, and when a terrible friend needed mine.
Rowan cleared his throat. “I can cook tonight, if you want to join us.”
I raised an eyebrow in surprise. Rowan had never shown much interest in spending time with me socially. He was loyal; I trusted him with my life, but this felt different. Quieter. More personal.
“What are you,” Cayden asked dryly, “an old contracted couple?”
Oh. Rowan meantusas in me. I didn’t mind that at all.
