“Find what you’re looking for, shadow skulker?”
I go rigid and twist around again. A tall figure leans against the window I climbed through. He’s too far for the lamp’s light to reach his face, but I recognize his form, and judging from the shape of his words, he’s smirking at me.
Swallowing, I stand, trying to hide my unease. “What are you doing here?” My voice is even, a stark contrast to the cantering pace of my heart.
Something hisses as Kaidren ignites a lamp on his desk, surrounding him in soft, misty light.
“I live here,” he drawls. “I think my presence is more reasonable than yours.”
“Did you climb through the window?”
“No, I used the door like a normal person.” He tilts his head jeeringly. “Why? Didyouuse the window?”
I don’t bother responding. I’m too busy plotting my escape. Where he’s standing blocks the window, so it’s not a viable option. That leaves the bedroom door. I wonder if I could run fast enough before he catches me.
Kaidren’s chuckle interrupts my thoughts. “Don’t bother. My aunt Jules locked us in. We only leave when I say.”
I glare to disguise my mounting panic. “What do you want?”
“To talk.” He takes a seat on the edge of the bed. His room is small enough and his legs long enough that all he has to do is stretch them out, and my path to the window is obstructed.
Kaidren grins pleasantly, as if that wasn’t a calculated move, and motions for me to sit beside him.
I scoff and cross my arms. “I have nothing to talk to you about.”
“The fact that you just climbed through my bedroom window suggests you might have some questions.”
“I wasn’t expecting to see you.”
“It’s my home. I come here all the time. But tonight, I confess, I followed you.”
My eyes narrow and he shrugs unabashedly. “I saw you get in a sky cart and took the next one down. Figured you’d be coming to my home, because, as far as I can tell, you haven’t been to Ophera since your mother died.”
I can’t stop myself from flinching. Thinking about Aja always gets a reaction. Emotion bubbles within me like boiling water, eager to steam out, either in tears or screams.
Kaidren watches me, and his face softens with pity. “What was her name?”
I hate that I can’t hide how much the mention of her hurts. “It doesn’t matter.”
“Fine. We won’t talk about your mother. Instead, you can tell me what you’re doing here. My guess is you’re looking for some way to sabotage me before the ball. Am I close?”
“You can’t expect me to answer that.”
Kaidren makes a show of stretching out his legs, emphasizing the way they stymie my path to freedom. “There’s no need to snoop, Remira. I’ll happily tell you whatever you want to know. Things you won’t find from sneaking around my room. In return, all you have to do is tell me something about you. I won’t even ask you to tell me anything you don’t want to.”
He’s playing a game and I know it, but he’s also not lying, and I have to admit I’m tempted. “Then what do you want to know?”
“Something about you that’s real. One true thing.”
“That’s it?”
“That’s it. I won’t confess to anything that might get me into trouble, but ask somethingfair, and I’ll answer truthfully. All I ask is that you tell me something. Anything—so long as it’s true. It’s a good trade. Completely unfair and wholly in your favor. Just the way you like it.”
“Why would you agree to something like that?”
Kaidren gestures around his walls. “For years, I’ve seen you near the Praeceptor. I’ve wondered about you. Then I met you. I thought I got to know you, but it turns out it was all a lie. It’s been weeks, and I feel I know less about you than I did before. I’ve been spinning stories and making guesses, and every time I think I’m close to knowing you, you remind me just how wrong I am.”
“All this because you’re curious?” I say dubiously.
