Oh, for the love of Jinn, she sounded like she was going to cry. Was that real? I felt a twinge of guilt at the thought.
The hallway wasn’t empty.
Stopping, I turned to face her. “Not here.” I tried not to feel anything, think anything, as I took her elbow and guided her down the hall, searching for a quiet corner. A small alcove ahead, just large enough to hold a short sofa and a few plants.
It would do.
The space was tucked away, meant for meetings just like this. Except nothing like this.
“You’ve been lying to us this whole time,” I hissed, and it wasn’t as without feeling as I’d hoped. My voice almost broke and I cut off.
“I can’t help my Gift,” Arie said, ripping her arm from my grasp. I was eager to let go, stepping back. She pulled back as well until we stood on opposite sides of the small room. “Do you think Iwantto be this way?” Tears welled in her eyes, but she refused to let them fall. I crossed my arms and stared at the marble walls as she continued, “Do you think I have a choice? I couldn’t tell you.” She gestured to me. “You would’ve reacted just like this.”
I stiffened. “Reacted to an unfair advantage where I have no control? Absolutely.”
“Not everyone is like Prince Dev. I don’t know what he did to you to make you hate him so much, but it wasn’tme!”
Her voice rose and I held up a hand, reminding her to keep quiet.
Of course it wasn’t her. She never would’ve done that to my little brother. Part of me understood why she’d kept it secret... but I’d trusted her. And she’d betrayed that trust. “You’re all alike.” I refused to think, to let her overhear anything further, but my voice was unsteady. “Youusepeople.”
“No,” Arie shook her head. She took a half-step toward me, but stopped when I recoiled. A tear escaped, although she dashed it away before it reached her cheek.
“You used me.” Quiet opened up like a canyon between us. I cleared my face of expression, pretending a calm I didn’t feel. “You were only with us to find a Jinni. You’re just like all the other Gifted.”
“That’s not true—”
“There’s no space for you in my crew,” I interrupted. “Take your things and go. I don’t want to see you when this day is over.” I stormed out of the alcove, but I couldn’t outrun the soft sound of her weeping.
CHAPTER 33
Kadin
IT WAS NEARING MIDNIGHT. Our deadline. I’d spent the entire day avoiding Arie. “Bosh, can you keep her busy? I need to focus.” He’d been more than happy, and I knew she wouldn’t bring up her Gift around him. But then I’d spent the night feeling rotten for placing him in that position. He didn’t deserve to have his thoughts overheard any more than I did.
They watched a snake charmer on one side of the room. I kept to the opposite end of the vast hall, listening to the man beside me tell a dull story about farming. In any other situation, I would’ve left. But I forced myself to watch the prince. Watch him laugh. Watch him pick his teeth. Watch him drift off during the storyteller’s fable. Watch, as nothing happened, and all my efforts over the last four years were wasted.
