I shake my head. “Even so, after everything that happened…”
Val shrugs. “You’ll never know if you don’t ask.”
Great. Now she’s using my own words against me.
“Maybe you should be telling Tala howyoufeel,” I say, deflecting.
“Who says I haven’t?” Val asks before sauntering off to join the hunters.
I’m left alone with my thoughts. I look at Edith and the berserkir, Val and the hunters, Irina and the witches. Hopefully this will bring us together rather than drive us apart.
Skallagrim has seen enough tragedy.
We don’t need any more of it.
CHAPTER FIFTY-THREEEDITH
“Over here,” I call to Tala.
“Coming.” She runs over, helping Kris and me lift one of the toppled pillars. My muscles ache as I push, but the burn feels good as sweat soaks my skin. It’s a welcome distraction. Rebuilding the seer school will take time, like anything else, but we have to start somewhere.
Skallagrim is closed for the next month. More than a few students are leaving, choosing to return home rather than continue their studies. I can’t blame them for wanting some normalcy after everything that happened.
Jim and Patricia wanted to withdraw Bea and me too. I had to beg them to let me stay.I think that’s the first time you’ve asked us for anything, Patricia said, exchanging a look with Jim.I guess I’m okay with it as long as your dad is.I think she hoped he’d say no, but Jim just threw his hands up in frustration, his equivalent offine.
So I’m staying at Skallagrim.
Others left temporarily, planning to return for the new semester.Like Bea. She went home with Jim and Patricia to spend the holidays with them, but I’m sure she’ll be back before I know it. I have a feeling a lot of other students will be too.
As I look around at Tala, Kris, and Isaac, I can’t help but smile. I finally found a place where I fit in. I’m in no rush to return to America anytime soon. Isaac slings his arm around my shoulder, and Kris rolls their eyes.
“What?” Isaac ruffles my hair. “Come on, we’re totally besties now.”
I bat him away playfully. “Don’t make me show you my claws.”
Laughing, Isaac holds up both his hands. “Whoa, whoa, no need for that.”
Valerie is helping us too, but I suspect her biggest motivation is to be close to Tala. They’ve been spending a lot of time together even after the disastrous Unity Dance. Their fingers brush as they reach for the same piece of rubble.
“So I take it you two are together?” I ask.
Tala turns toward me, a blush spreading across her cheeks. “N-no, we aren’t.”
Valerie grins. “Not yet, anyway.”
Tala ignores her, quickly snatching the piece of rubble.
Valerie manages to tear her gaze away from Tala long enough to look up at me. “What about you and Amund, hmm?”
My heart races when she mentions his name.
“What about him?” I say, trying to sound casual.
“He’s standing right behind you,” Valerie points out.
Amund smiles shyly when I turn around. Outwardly, he might look intimidating, but he shares some of his brother’s awkwardness, too. He’s standing there like he doesn’t know what to do with himself. “I was hoping we could talk?”
I force myself to nod. “That would be good.”
