“You can’t share everything you know. One, if the history is truthful, the Valories don’t allow you to. Two, each individual perceives information differently. The same piece of knowledge can elevate me while destroying another.
“It’s a dangerous and delicate balance. For you to give us all the answers we crave and request could be our downfall. Anyone’s, truthfully. It could have too much influence. I know this and respect this. I’ve honored this custom with my own knowledge. It’s difficult to remember at times like this.”
“I know it is, but you’re exactly correct, Amick. That’s why I was offering all I could at this time. A listening ear. I understand that isn’t what you want, though, and respect that as well.”
“Thank you.”
Glass shattering in the kitchen has my body fighting back a flinch. I pivot toward the commotion and stare at Creed as he sneers down at his mess.
“Why are they taking so long?”
That’s a legitimate question that I’d like an answer to as well.
“They’ll be here in a minute.”
My attention moves to Kyzen. After he showered and changed, he sat at the table and hasn’t moved since.
He’s still clutching the now—I’m sure—cold cup of coffee Creed placed in front of him half an hour ago.
I’m not surprised he hasn’t bounced back to his normal self.
The loss of control that led to the incredibly high body count he left behind in Seductions will weigh heavily on him for a while.
“Is that a hopeful assumption or an accurate timeframe?” I ask.
“Accurate timeframe.”
“What will happen after they get back?”
“I don’t know.”
“I find it hard to believe you only sped up time to see when they would arrive and not what took place afterward.”
“Well, that’s what I did.”
“Why would—”
Coffee splashes all over the table and floor as he slams his mug down so hard that the fragile porcelain shatters.
I guess our coping mechanisms tonight will be breaking all our dishes.
“Because I don’t fucking want to know right now, Amick. I don’t really want to have this or any conversation tonight.”
His chair skirts back as he gets to his feet and stomps toward Creed. The less talkative of the two does nothing more than glare when Kyzen snatches the rag out of his hand to clean up his mess.
I take his anger as my sign to stay silent for the time being.
Out loud anyway.
Mentally, I’m counting the few remaining seconds in his one-minute timeline until the other two get back.
I’m very relieved to feel the shift in energy at exactly one second.
The two of them appear at the threshold that divides the kitchen and living room, wearing very different expressions.
Riven has an unidentifiable smirk on his face that makes the hair on my neck stand.
Thayla looks as mad as she was the moment we left to save him.
