Fenn turned to Rynna, his eye blazing as it locked onto hers. “Does Calli speak the truth? Is that what happened?”
“Yes,” she answered, her heart sinking as she realized she couldn’t tell whether his distrust was a calculated display for his officers or genuine. Either way, it stung.
“Then how did you dispel the horde?” Arthur asked, his voice filled with doubt. “I’d believe it if one of the legendary Demons did it.” His eyelids crinkled in suspicion. “Did you disarm his cuffs?”
Rynna met Fenn’s gaze, her voice calm. “Kaelith’s cuffs are still locked. They haven’t been tampered with. He nearly died protecting Calli before I got there.”
“And you had just let him wander off on his own?” Henry asked.
“I asked him to scout for a campsite for the night,” Rynna explained. “With his Source power sealed and the army of the dead out there, it was in his best interest not to stray far. He knew there was no chance Guide Fenn would release him if he came here without me.”
“Makes sense,” Henry grunted in reluctant agreement. “But how did you, barely an Awakened, manage to deal with that many enemy combatants on your own?”
“Fire.” She shrugged. “It’s not something I can use often, let alone to that degree, and it nearly killed me…”
“It did kill you, Rynna,” Calli whispered, hervoice barely audible.
“Well, if that’s the case, I got better. But when I saw my…” Her gaze flicked involuntarily to Kaelith, who, by some miracle, had remained silent through the entire interrogation. She swallowed hard. “When I saw my friend in trouble, I reacted.”
“Commander?” Arthur asked, still unconvinced.
“It’s entirely possible.” His eyes never left hers. “But I’ve never seen it on this scale before.” He swallowed; his tone was…sad. “That fast?”
He wasn’t talking about the fire.
“It was so fast,” Calli added. “Before we even knew what had happened, we were surrounded by nothing but ash for over a hundred yards in every direction.”
“Ember Reach’s been playing games again.” Henry crossed his arms. “Keeping that kind of power a secret.”
“Stop.” Fenn’s strangled voice cut through. “The past doesn’t matter. We’re at war. Victory and survival are our only concerns now.”
Rynna’s brows furrowed. He still wasn’t talking about the fire.
“Yes, Commander,” Henry acknowledged, though his lips pressed into a firm line.
“Calli, join the other far-seers and find me Skarn. We don’t have many left, but they should be able to help you.” Fenn’s palm slammed against the table, rattling the maps. “We end this before more of our people die.”
“Yes, Commander.” Calli bowed and quickly left the tent.
“What of the traitor?” Arthur’s eyes turned toward Kaelith.
Fenn’s gaze was distant. “Awakened Rynna can continue overseeing him. I’ll deal with the apprentice when we find him.”
Her jaw dropped, pain flooding her as realization hit.He’s cutting me out.
“Yes, Commander.” Arthur and Henry bowed in unison, turning their focus back to the map. The young man glanced over his shoulder. “Find the quartermaster. He’ll set you up with something for the night. Plenty of empty tents.”
Fenn’s back was already to her as he added, “I’ll be making the rounds.” He didn’t meet her eyes, didn’t even glance her way as he strode out of the tent.
He doesn’t deserve you. Kaelith’s voice slithered into her mind, soft yet laced with anger.
Rynna spun on him, fury bubbling within her, ready to explode. But before the words could escape her, she caught the curious eyes of the other men flicking upward.
She forced herself calm. “Just find the quartermaster and a place to rest for the night.”
Her lungs constricted; she was in a free fall through a void she couldn’t control. Part of her wanted to blame Kaelith, but deep down, she knew.
I deserve this.
