“I said I’m ready, Creed.”
I slam my mouth and my eyes shut. The snap came faster and harsher than I meant for it to. It leaves behind a heavy silence that’s all my fault.
My head hangs with my exhale. I stop my ridiculous rubbing and perch my hands on my hips.
You’re going to a building you’ve been to plenty of times.
Dickhead isn’t even there today.
Amick reassured you, he isn’t even in the Godsdawn today.
He’s in Valveilious bragging about the Power Worthiness Test taking place in four freaking days.
“I didn’t mean to flip that quick.”
“I know.”
I nod and force my gaze to rise so I can meet theirs.
They’ve been hovering and watching my every move since I jumped up from last night’s nightmare. I appreciate their care, really and truly, but they could do me a solid and chill on the intense, observant stares.
“I am ready. I just…need a minute.”
“Would you like to walk instead of starshooting? Some fresh air would be nice,” Kyzen says.
That’ll give me time to get my shit straight instead of instantly appearing.
“That would be great, actually.”
“Then let’s go,” Amick says, holding his hand out for me.
I appreciate the fact he isn’t verbally rushing me, but I can tell by the stress in his frown, he’s worried about me and about being late.
“Do you need to go ahead of us?” I ask as I lace our fingers together.
My shoulders drop a fraction, and the thundering of my heartbeat slows to a more normal speed when he kisses my forehead.
“No. I’m walking beside you the whole time.”
I give the other three tight smiles as he tugs me toward the front door.
Fuck, I haven’t even walked out the front door since Gladian marched me out.
A shiver races down my spine, and I grit my teeth so hard my jaw cramps.
You’re being utterly fucking ridiculous.
Get over it.
Nothing crazy or catastrophic happens as we pass through the threshold, and I mutter an ‘I told you so’ to myself.
A sense of normalcy engulfs me when my gaze lands on Yemi, Lambrit, Rose, and, surprisingly, Sevryn standing there waiting for us.
“About damn time,” Sevryn grunts.
“What do you mean about damn time? We just decided to walk rather than starshoot.”
He huffs at me, then casts his gaze to Kyzen.
