“Sure.” I look across the table at that pair of intense eyes that are watching me still. “Are you coming?”
“Yep.”
“Or…” Meela says with mischief. “We go tonight.”
Raef grins even wider as I shake my head. “No way.”
“Why not?” she complains.
“You know why not. Nothing good happens in town after nightfall.”
“What do you mean? The whole town is surrounded by a border wall.” A stone one, unlike the ice wall that surrounds the castle grounds.
“Stuff gets in all the time. You know that.”
She waves me off with one lazy wave of her hand. “As long as you get to a tavern before dark, people just sit inside and drink all night. And fuck. Maybe a fight or two breaks out.”
I avoid eye contact with everyone, but especially the one across from me. “Exactly.”
“You’re no fun,” she says, defeated.
I look over at her and smile. “Fine. Why don’t you and Raef go. Just the two of you.”
Just as I predicted, she narrows her eyes at me.
“Hi. Do the visitors get a say in this?” Raef chimes in.
“No, not really. You’re at our mercy,” Meela tells him.
Raef raises his eyebrows.
“I can’t go tonight,” I say, dropping my teasing tone. “I have things to do.”
“Okay. Fine.” I glance at her suspiciously, because something in her voice tells me she’s already cooked up another idea. “Party in my room then. Bring your friends,” she tells them.
“I’m there,” Raef says way too quickly.
My eyes meet Daegan’s. He’s still watching me. He’s always watching me, it seems. Since the day we met.
But something’s changed in thewayhe watches me. I’m just not sure what.
Chapter 26
We’ve been at it for hours.
Gaethri and Rhydra are here.
Daegan and Raef are here.
And Meela is here.
Most of these people have the same goal, but some don’t even know it. One of these people is completely in the dark, but suspects her best friend is up to something. She has no idea the severity of it.
And one of these people is in over her head, trying to find the answer to an ancient mystery, while trying to quietly communicate with two unlikely allies in an attempt to not clue the others in on what they’re up to.
I’m exhausted.
I decide to try a different tactic.
