“It’s the same thing if you go alone.”
The words land like blows. Because he’s right. I have no sailing experience, no combat training worth mentioning, and no plan beyond stealing a boat and getting to a sorceress’s mystical island.
I hold his gaze anyway, not backing down. Fear and logic are screaming at me to agree with him, but Oliver’s face keeps flashing behind my eyes, and that’s louder than both. Plus, giving up has never been a Thorne trait, and I’m not about to start now.
He holds my gaze for a long moment, and I don’t blink. Neither does he.
“If you do this, you come to me first so I can go with you.” His words are calm, but his heat steadies like it does when his decision is final.
I stare at him. “What?”
“You heard me.”
“No. You can’t.” I shake my head, the words refusing to arrange themselves into anything that makes sense. “The academy is already down one teacher. They can’t afford to lose another.”
“The academy will survive.”
“But your position. Your career. Everything you’ve worked for…”
“I don’t care.”
“Why would you risk all of that?” I ask before I can stop myself.
His core temperature spikes, his pulse elevates, and every muscle locks tight.
Then he turns away and reaches for the open book on the table. “You can’t be found with an Ember Archives text.”
The deflection is so obvious it almost makes me laugh.
“I’m not leaving it here.” I cross my arms, trying and failing to calculate a way to snatch the book from him.
“I saidyoucan’t be found with an Ember Archives text. I’m faculty, and I can.” He tucks the book under his arm. “We need the instructions, the coordinates, the location of the boats, and the star charts.” His eyes meet mine. “You have a fantastic memory, but will you bet your brother’s life on it?”
“No,” I admit.
“Then I keep the book. And when you do this reckless thing, you come to me first.”
“I already said I would.”
“Good.” He holds my gaze until my skin prickles, and I have to fight the urge to look away. “Now, you need to get some sleep. Fire travel straight to Phoenix Hall, and don’t stop anywhere else.”
“I know how to be discreet.”
He glares at me, but I think it’s a glare of agreement. Only Kieran Cross could make hostility look like a yes.
“You go first,” he tells me, and it’s a command, not a suggestion.
“Okay.” I hesitate, then add, “Thanks.”
“Go before I change my mind,” he threatens, and I close my eyes and picture the back of Phoenix Hall.
Flames rise around me, warm and familiar, and the archives dissolve.
Once back at Phoenix Hall, I head to my room, which is easy since no one’s awake at this hour to avoid.
Jade’s bed is empty. She’s probably training with Logan. Or maybe she ended up at the Forge Party.
It doesn’t matter. Because the only thing that matters is getting to those boats, leaving this island, and finding Oliver.
