Instead, he just nods, as if staying back on a boat with his ex-girlfriend while the rest of us explore a sorceress’s island is totally normal and okay.
My chest burns. Lightning crackles from my fingertips to my elbows.
But what am I supposed to do? There’s no way I’m staying back with them. I need to find Circe and ask about T. I need as much information from her about what happened to me as I can get, and I need to know what to expect next as a goddess’s chosen champion. She might not have the answers, but I need to try.
Callie shoots me a satisfied smirk.
Logan won’t look at me.
“Fine,” I say, the word sharp as I get my magic under control. “Kieran, Evie, and I will find Circe. You two stay here. On the boat. Together.”
Finally, Logan’s eyes meet mine. The weight of unspoken words hangs between us, but whatever it is, he swallows it down.
“Be careful,” he says, barely getting the words out.
“We will.” I straighten my shoulders, forcing myself to look away from him.
Evie’s already moving to the tree line, practically vibrating with barely contained hope. Kieran falls into step beside her, his dagger up and ready, his eyes scanning for threats.
I follow them, but I can’t help glancing back.
Logan’s standing at the helm of the ship, his silhouette dark against the star-scattered sky. Callie’s already moved closer to him, leaning in to speak.
I trust him,I tell myself firmly.Even if I don’t trust her.
The thought rings hollow, and the ache beneath my ribs tells me the truth I won’t say out loud. Because it’s not trust that’s the problem. It’s the fear that Callie knows a version of Logan I never will—the one who chose her first, before the guilt of his parents’ deaths and the time travel that convinced him nothing has to stick.
I curl my fingers into fists until my nails bite into my palms, and the sting gives me an anchor point that isn’t the image of Callie leaning into Logan’s space like she belongs there.
You’re the storm goddess’s champion. You have an ancient sorceress to interrogate and a best friend’s dead brother to keep lying about. You do not have time to spiral over your boyfriend’s ex.
The pep talk is garbage, but it gets my feet moving.
So, I take a deep breath of salty sea air, turn around, and face the waiting forest.
JADE
A massive stagwith glowing silver antlers steps forward, fixes me with intelligent eyes, and turns toward the tree line.
“I think it wants us to go with it,” Evie whispers, wonder in her tone despite everything.
“Or it’s leading us to slaughter.” Kieran’s dagger remains out and ready.
“A magical stag seems like an inefficient assassination method.” She’s already stepping forward, although a shimmer of heat appears in her palm, ready to protect us at a moment’s notice.
Kieran’s by her side immediately.
The stag looks to me and stamps its hoof.
“I guess we’re following the magical deer now.” I let my electricity crackle along my arms and follow them. “Why not. It’s nothing crazier than anything else in my life recently.”
As we walk, the forest closes around us. The trees are twisted and strange, their bark shimmering in the starlight. Flowers glow along the path, and the air smells like salt and honey. Wolves pad through the underbrush while lions watch from theshadows, birds circling overhead like they’re keeping tabs on our every move.
It should be terrifying.
Instead, it feels... protective?
We haven’t been walking long before a palace appears so suddenly I almost walk into a vine-wrapped pillar.
