That pisses me off, and I let my aura pulse with it because smothering rage is never useful, but I don’t otherwise act.
Because part of why I’m pissed is because he’s right.
Someone has to take the first step to make this place safe for anyone to come to, knowing it will be counter to what the Order wants.
And because I’m a sage, it has to be me.
That’s why we’re having this conversation, I realize belatedly. He needed to make sure I understood.
“It isn’t safe for themyet,” I say slowly, and turn to Zan. “I’m thinking punching thoughts.”
His lips curve up, but his gaze is keen. “You want to move.”
Yes.
“If we keep letting the Order set the pace, determine the rules of engagement, we will lose,” I say. “We can’t keep waiting to see what they will do, just reacting rather than acting.”
“You don’t need to justify yourself to me,” Zan says. “You do not need my permission to act.”
“Okay, but I would like yourinput.”
Zan shrugs. “You have my fire, Yora. No matter what.”
A rush of warmth floods through me—the bond.
Zan must feel it too, because his eyes widen, latching on mine.
We’re not even touching!!
But we could be.
“We have time, Yora,” Zan says in a hoarse voice.
Do we? With the Order pressing us—
No.
No, he’s right.
We have forever.
Or we could.
And I’m not going to let them determine my schedule forthat, either.
“We have time,” I repeat, and Zan’s eyes narrow because somehow he intuits that I mean something very different by it.
Jiran asks, “What will you do with it?”
“I’m going to get Teren back.”
For starters.
I’m a sage, though, so I’m dreaming even bigger than that.
That’s what I’m for, after all: dreaming big.
That’s what all of us are for, when it comes down to it.
