Lora’s fingers tightened on the device before she hesitantly slid it across the table.
Carefully picking it up, Jaspen’s eyes followed their moving target on the map. “Fascinating. I’ve never come across anyone, human or fae, who possessed such a device. I’ve seen TVs, but this is certainly more useful.”
“You can get pretty much anything at the black market now with some luck,” Eyden explained.
“Apparently so,” Jaspen replied, returning the phone. “Well then, we’ll leave at first light tomorrow. No matter what.”
Elyssa caught Eyden’s eyes as they held a silent conversation. Lora’s heart twisted at the sight, remembering the days when she and Oscar could communicate with mere looks, silently making comments in front of their parents with neither of them realising. In some ways, it felt like another lifetime ago.
“Well, we all know our roles. Ian, let’s check on our supply,” Jaspen said, pushing back his chair.
As the two of them walked away, Elyssa got up too. “I’ll see you both later.” She tightened the black string securing her high ponytail and gave Eyden one last meaningful look before exiting the tent.
Eyden twisted in his chair to meet Lora’s eyes. “I know I’m repeating myself, but are you sure you want to do this?”
Was she sure? No. Lora had come to accept that certainty was like promises—nothing more than wishful thinking. “If I’m going to do this, then I want to give it a real shot. You can’t get three people out of there on your own. They might all need help. And I’m the only one who can pass as fae.”
“I could pull it off on my own.”
A sigh escaped her. “You’re not doing this alone, Eyden. Stop arguing with me, it’ll lead nowhere. You should know that much by now.”
“Oh, I know. But I had to try,” he said, a grin lighting up his face. “Okay, fine, I’m done arguing. For now.”
A small smile broke across her face. “Good. We agree, then.” Another agreement between them. Yet this one didn’t feel the same. It seemed much less formal and more like an understanding between friends. And they were, weren’t they?
The moment stretched between them until Eyden grabbed his mug and downed the last of his drink. “I have to leave for a bit. Get some supplies and ask Ilario to take over my shift.”
Lora’s gaze swung to the tents in the near distance, visible through the open door. “Does Ilario know about any of this?”
“No. I fill him in on any relevant information Elyssa shares with me, but he doesn’t know who I get it from.”
Lora searched his face. If he couldn’t trust his best friend, then how could he ever trust anyone? How could he ever trusther?
Eyden seemed to read her silent question. “Everyone has a breaking point. The game we’re playing…we both know we could get caught. And if that ever happened, I don’t want Elyssa’s name on his mind.”
Lora wanted to reassure him that she’d never spill his secrets, but no sound would leave her lips. Nothing could be promised, not with the games they were stuck in, weighing them down in the murky water of uncertainty.
Chapter40
Lora
Walking back to her tent, Lora took her phone from her pocket. Maja was still waiting for a reply. Lora hadn’t had time to fill her in on her decision. But as she unlocked her phone, Lora noticed a flash of auburn hair in her peripheral vision.
To her left, a small path led into the woods and there was Elyssa, partly hidden by trees, walking away from the tent area.
Lora slipped her phone back in her pocket and headed towards her. She was intrigued where Elyssa was heading, but more importantly, she had more questions. If there was one person who could fill her in about Eyden’s past here, it was Elyssa.
As she followed the path, Lora called out for the younger girl, but she didn’t react. She might have been too far away. Lora increased her speed to make up the distance, almost running to not lose sight of her, yet Elyssa didn’t turn around.
When she finally got close enough, Lora extended her arm, reaching out to gently tap Elyssa on her left shoulder. But her hand never connected.
Before Lora even knew what was happening, Elyssa slapped her hand away. She twisted Lora’s arm behind her back with a speed Lora couldn’t grasp. Lora cried out as her eyes darted to her side where a throwing star was putting pressure on her skin through the layers of clothes.
Lora didn’t dare move, afraid of impaling herself. “Wait!”
“Lora?” The pressure eased, but Elyssa’s hold was firm. “Shit.”
Before Lora could catch her breath to reply, Elyssa released her arm. The girl took a step back, giving Lora space to move. Lora turned around slowly, stretching her arm.
