Fourteen
TEAL
“Do it.” Anger wrapped around Grayson like a winter cloak.
I seldom argued with Grayson, but on this, I stood my ground. “No.”
“We need to know if her mind is still intact.”
Was I the only one among us who felt queasy with guilt? I glanced at Pierce. As usual, he leaned against the nearest surface—in this case, the wall of Haven’s tiny infirmary room—looking bored. Flynn sprawled in the only chair and focused on weaving a ribbon of fire through his fingers. Like Pierce, his face was impassive. And Grayson? A dull red colored his cheeks.
We’d nearly killed her, and now he wanted me to invade her mind. Bile rose in my throat. “If she’s gone?”
Pierce pushed off the doorframe and squeezed past Grayson (we’d recovered from training injuries in rooms three times this size) to the narrow bed where Haven lay unmoving. He stared down at her, and his expression tightened. “She’s in there. I know it.”
“What makes you so sure?” Flynn shifted in his chair—a hard wooden thing that wouldn’t be tolerated in the guards’ wing. The contrast wasn’t lost on me—this room, May splitting time between six patients—when we were injured, we got private suites and dedicated healers.
Pierce stared coolly at him. “She’s incredibly strong.”
The fire on Flynn’s fingers burned brighter, and the scent of smoke competed with the sharp, astringent aromas from May’s healing balms. “Since when did you become enamored?”
“I’m not enamored. I’m observant. She is strong.” Pierce’s cool gaze turned icy. “Also, if her mind is gone, we’re monsters.”
Flynn winced, and the fire in his hands slowly faded.
“Do it, Teal. We need to know.”
“Gray—” Why couldn’t he see that this was another form of assault?
“Do it! That’s an order.” When was the last time Grayson had ordered me to do anything?
“This is wrong.”
“Your commanding officer gave you an order.”
We’d revisit this conversation in the training ring. I couldn’t wait to knock him flat. He’d deserve every blow, every bruise, every broken bone.
“Teal—”
“Fine.” Afraid of what I might find, I gritted my teeth and brushed my powers against Haven’s mind. A shield kept me from her thoughts.I mean you no harm.I sent her my good intentions.
Her shield held, and I sensed the barrier growing stronger.
Please, Haven. Let me in.
A bitter force shoved me from her mind, and I staggered backward.
“Well?” Grayson raised hisbrows.
“Her shield is still working. As for what’s behind it, I can’t tell you.”
The door to Haven’s room swung open, and May stopped in her tracks and scowled at us. “What are you doing here?”
“Checking on the shield,” I told her.
She snorted. “She has a name.” Then she pointed toward the hallway. “Out.” May wasn’t usually so short with me. I gave her my winningest smile.
“Don’t try that with me. I’ve known you since you were a boy, and I’m immune to your charms.” Her eyes narrowed as she looked at me. “Did you invade her mind?”
