Shoving myself up, I race out of the tent and hurry after her, clinging to it as a pathetic excuse not to stay and face Talen.
My legs move fast, weaving through the crowd until I catch her arm, yanking her around to face me.
“Why the hell would you do that—tell everyonethat?” I demand through clenched teeth, dropping her arm as Shanwyn swoops down, landing on her shoulder and flashing her teeth at me. Meanwhile Ahria is nowhere to be seen.
“Stars, I told you already, I needed some sleep,” she shoots back, planting her hands on her hips. “And you’ve been driving me out of my mind. I thought you’d appreciate it.”
“Appreciate it?” The laugh catches halfway up my throat. “You force your way into my dreams, have me thinking—feeling—those things… and then you go and tell everyone, and somehow I’m meant toappreciate it?”
“Hey, keep it down, alright?” Reya glances around before catching my arm, pulling me off to the side and out of the flow of bodies pushing past.
A flash of green cuts across my vision as Ahria suddenly appears, Shanwyn launching from Reya’s shoulder after her, and the both of them shoot after a recruit stupid enough to walk by with a sausage roll in hand.
“Only the riders know about the Dreamweaving,” she continues, keeping her voice low. “And now you and Neeve. I’d rather it stays that way until we work out what this actually is, and whether it’s worth anything.” Her grey eyes lock onto mine, narrowing just enough that it feels like she’s looking straight into the memory of last night.
“Fine, okay.” I bite out. Anything to get her gaze off me.
She exhales and eases her grip on my arm, trailing her hand lightly along my skin as it falls away. “So, anyway...” Her mouth curves at the edges. “How was I? I mean, from the sound of that scream, I’d say pretty fucking good. You know, if you ever want to try it out in person…”
I yank my arm back. “Not happening, Reya.”
“I’m just saying,” she shrugs, easy and unfazed, “don’t write it off before you’ve had the real thing.” I roll my eyes, but she just laughs. “Probably for the best. You’re hot, but not my type. Too feisty.”
“I’mtoo feisty?” I blurt out, stepping back to put some much-needed space between us before my Threads get the better of me.
She ignores the jab and keeps going. “Anyway, good job you found me. I needed to let you know I’ll be away this week so we can’t train. I’ve got to head to—” Cutting herself off, she shakes her head. “I mean, I’ve got to check on a potential camp location.”
“But Blood Moon’s in less than three weeks!”
“We’ll do extra when I get back.”
“No,” I push back. “I'm not being challenged enough as it is!”
“Look, there’s nothing I can do right now, see if you can find another recruit who wants to try and set you on fire.”
The idea lasts all of two seconds. If I’m not making enough progress with Reya, a skilled Citadel cadet who scares the shit out of me, there’s no way an untrained recruit is going to be enough.
Not quite believing what I'm about to say, I force out a heavy breath. “I want to go back to Dave.”
Reya’s brows rise. “Talen will be pissed...”
“Fuck, come on, Reya.” I stand my ground. “After the shit you put me through in front of everyone this morning... you owe me.”
“Hey, I said he would be pissed. I didn't say I care.” Tapping her chin, she looks upwards. “Hmm, well I could do with the extra coins. Okay, I'll make arrangements for this weekend when I'm back.”
“Thank you.” My shoulders drop with relief, though I've no idea why as I’m about to lock myself in a cage again with a massive red living flamethrower.
“I’ll meet you there. Try not to miss me while I’m gone.” Reya throws me another wink and this time I return it with a middle finger. She drops her head back and laughs, then whistles to Shanwyn, who glides after her as she turns and strolls off.
By the time I make it back to the Briefing Tent, it’s mostly empty. Neeve is at the front arguing with Darren, but there’s no sign of Lucien or Talen.
Shit. Although I was trying to avoid him, an ache still spreads behind my sternum when I realise he’s gone.
For the next five days,Magda has all the new recruits, including me, expanding the camp—hauling stone, bracing canvas, piecing together half-rotten driftwood into structures that look one strong gust away from collapsing. Which means no teaching, and with Lucien stuck at the Citadel and Reya gone too, for the first time in weeks, I finally get a break.
I should be grateful, I should be able to unwind, but I can’t.
Because Blood Moon is only two weeks away, and I don't feel ready. Not to lead. Not to fly. Not to stand in front of real fire without every instinct in me screaming to run.
