Could the Warden have the key then?Ava asked.He could’ve inherited it from his father.
I don’t believe so,Oberi said.Esther still showed up looking for it, so the Warden is on the hunt for it as well. He too believed the key to be in the vault.
Ava quickly told the others what Oberi said.
“Even so, the Warden is closer to the key than ever, because of what we changed,” I growled. “We didn’t know which of our enemies took the key in the original timeline, but in this one, it’s got to be the angels.”
“It makes sense that Masci wouldn’t have given the key to the Warden,” Kallie pointed out. “The Warden killed his father. They weren’t on good terms.”
“That doesn’t mean the Warden won’t find it among the other angels,” I said. “Masci must’ve given it to someone before he died. The Warden is closer to the key than ever before because of whatwechanged. We can’t keep doing this. Going back in time isn’t safe, nor effective. If we keep trying, we’re going to seriously screw something up— even worse than we already have. Regardless, we can safely assume the angels have the key, so we’ve just got to focus on the future and follow the clues to its next location.”
“I want to go back and see who killed Frank, just to be sure,” Kallie argued.
“No,” I stated firmly. “The last time we went back, we changed things. The key ended up with the angels this time, who are too close to the Warden. If you travel back again, you could change something else, and the key could end up in the hands of the Warden himself this time. We can’t afford for that to happen, because if he has it, we’ll never get it back.”
“I understand what you’re saying,” Kallie said. “That was a close call— too close. But what other options do we have?”
“I’ll put the Elvish Associates on gathering intel about Masci Taurus and his people,” I offered. “They can find out who was working for him at the time, and who might’ve been involved.”
“I’ll hold off on time traveling for now while your team investigates. But if this takes too long, I’m going back myself,” Kallie insisted. “I’m not taking any of you back anymore, unless…”
Kallie trailed off after realizing she’d said too much, but I’d heard the heartbreak in her tone.Unless it’s to save my mate’s life.
I didn’t blame her. I’d do the same for Ava. Hell, I’dtriedto do the same for her last semester.
Time travel was dangerous. Kallie couldn’t keep casting it, but shehadto do something about her and Marcus. This relationship was killing them both, and it was really affecting the team.
“I’m making the call. No more time traveling,” I stated sternly.
This time, the teambetterfucking follow my orders. I was tired of not being taken seriously.
“I guess if this is a bust, I’m going back to my room to play with myself,” Danny joked, and he collided into my shoulder to swagger away. “I suggest you all do the same.”
My fists became tighter as I heard him slam the door to the training room shut. I couldn’t believe the nerve of this guy. I hoped we found the rest of the keys soon, because I couldn’t take working with him for long.
“It’s always a bust, isn’t it?” Kallie said hopelessly. “My time powers might as well not exist at all, for all the good they do.”
It wasn’t like her to get so down on herself. Danny’s words from earlier had to be taking a heavy toll. He didn’t understandthis situation with Marcus wasn’t as easy as he’d made it seem, but Kallie was definitely taking his words to heart.
“Do you want to talk?” Ava asked her softly.
“Let’s just go somewhere,” Kallie noted sullenly. “Somewherewithoutmen. The Ladies’ Court has never looked better.”
Ava checked in with me, and I told her through our bond,Go on, pidge. She needs someone to listen right now.
I’ll be back for dinner, like we promised,Ava responded telepathically, before she said aloud, “The female area of the palace is all yours. We can bitch about it in the hot tub. Come on, Oberi.”
Oberi changed, and her hooves clattered against the floor behind Ava and Kallie as they left the training arena.
I sighed and rubbed my face before I headed back to my quarters, where my designated court lived. Kallie wasn’t the only one who needed to talk, and I had to check up on Marcus. It really worried me that he hadn’t shown up for practice.
At this point, Marcus was more like my little brother than he was my friend. We’d been through a lot together, and I was super protective of him. I really cared about him, and I wanted him to be okay. I wasn’t ashamed of letting anyone know that. So if I had to bang his door down to get through to him, I would.
I knocked on the door to his suite. No answer came, except for the faint sound of a cat’s meow.
“Marcus, open up,” I called. “I know you’re in there.”
“No, I’m not— fuck. Go away!” he shot back.
