Then suddenly, there’s movement beside me, and in my periphery, I see a long, blue hand touch Rathyn’s wrist, and the tracker falls off. My breath leaves me in a rush as he resumes holding my lead.
“You are released,” Eissa says.
Jyrion scoffs. “We will be watching you. Your service to my family has been long and loyal, but humans are corrupt. We all know this.”
I bristle but do my best not to show it on my face as Rathyn responds in his language. The conversation goes on for a few more minutes, then he places a hand on the back of my neck.
“Come, human. We will return to The Foundry, and you will resume your duties.”
I say nothing as I follow him, reminding myself with each step that he doesn’t mean it. Each step means I’m closer to home, closer to myself, and closer to the monster I love.
We walk the same path back to the portal, but before we get there, Rathyn is stopped again. I freeze, terrified.
Did they realize it was all a farce?
“This way,” a familiar voice says. It’s Eissa.
Rathyn leads me along down a short corridor and into a dimly lit room. The door shuts heavily behind us, and then Rathyn releases me.
I don’t know what to do.
Is this a test?
“Breathe easy, Everest,” Eissa says.
I look at Rathyn, who inclines his head. “He knows you are VySytheh. Remember, he is the one who gave me guidance.”
“I advised Rathyn to send you away,” Eissa says, “but I understand why he made the choice he did.”
“The choicewedid,” I correct, reaching for Rathyn’s hand.
There’s something wistful in Eissa’s eyes, but it doesn’t linger. “I wanted to inform you both that Cielo has been tried and convicted.”
“What?” I nearly shout.
Rathyn hushes me. “What is the sentence?”
“Banishment,” Eissa says. “He will be returned through the portal and banned from living in The Foundry or occupying a position with the Vyastil.”
I look at them both. “He can’t live with us?”
“I’m afraid not,” Eissa says, shaking his head.
Despite having a Plan B, I’m still furious. “When is he being sent through?”
“Soon. So, if you have human friends who can help him…”
“I do,” I tell him quickly. I look over at Rathyn. “We are going to help, right?”
“Yes,” Rathyn says. “Cielo is my friend.”
I want to kiss him, want to show him how much I fucking love him. But that can wait, so instead, I turn my attention back to Eissa. “This is all bullshit. You know that, right?”
“Yes.”
“That’s all you have to say?”
He spreads his hands. “What else is there that I can do? I am but one being, Everest.”
