“Can we talk about this another time?” I asked, slouching back.
Priya only placed her hands on her hips, cocking one to the side as she stared me down. “No. I want to talk about it now.”
“Out of everything you could be asking about—including the rebellion that you’ve just unintentionally joined?”
“Rebellion?” Zura gasped.
“Fuck the rebellion,” Pri said with a scoff. “What is going on between you and Tershetta?”
“I’m in love with her!” I shouted, feeling my anxiety and rage boil over. Quinn stared at me from where he sat at the table, Caleb opening the bathroom door. “Are you happy now?”
Priya only nodded, her face falling. “Yes. I’m glad to know. We all deserve to understand.”
“Understand what?” I asked, scowling at her. Hating her for a moment, because she clearly mirrored who I’d been for so long. Who I desperately tried to dig out of myself. “How I could possibly love her?”
“Yes, for starters. I’ll admit, she isn’t ugly. And it’s not like the stars didn’t choose her for whatever reason. Over the lastyear I’ve had enough time to reckon with the idea that maybe we were wrong about people like her.” My brows rose, Priya’s smile pained as she continued. “But that doesn’t mean I think you should be with her, Az. You’re too…different.”
“Nova is better than all of us combined, Pri. She is smarter, kinder, and more loving than anyone we’ve ever met.” I stood, pointing my finger at her. “And if you have anything bad to say about her, then we’re going to have a problem.”
“Woah, woah, woah! Let’s all calm down,” Cal said, gripping his towel with one hand and pressing the other into my chest.
“I need to go find Nova. She’s been gone too long. Grab whatever you want to wear from my drawers. There’s food for you all if you want to snack before I come back and Nova has bandages in the drawer beneath the wooden table in front of the sofa. Don’t goanywhere.It’s not safe.”
“You’re just going to leave us?” Quinn asked, his brow raised.
Zura stood, looking uncomfortable between Pri and Cal. “Can I come with?”
“I’m going alone and I’ll be right back. Cal, keep Zura company andbe nice.”
“I’d love to keep you company, gorgeous,” Cal said, wrapping an arm around Zura.
All she said in response was, “Stars.”
Groaning, I shadow walked, a sharp tug in my leg where I’d been hit. Fresh blood trickled down my skin as I passed through the wards, my eyes immediately catching on Maitoza.
What the fuck is she doing out here?
“Nova left already,” she said, crossing her arms. Her voice was softer than normal, her face pinched tightly as she stared at the spot in front of her.
“Where did she go?”
“I assumed back to your cottage, though she was quite rattled. What happened?”
Oh no. Please, no.
“How long ago did she leave?”
“A minute maybe? What’s going on?”
“I’ll be back, please send Desi to my cottage!” Then I turned and took off, running through the wards.
Where would she go? I knew she was upset. I fucking knew it! Why did I let her go? What was wrong with me?
I stumbled in the grass, needing to move. To get to her. But where did I go? Where was she?
Something sharp suddenly pierced me in the head, a violent stab that forced me to the ground. I choked on my own rapid breaths, chest caving in. And then I heard it.Them.A whisper in the wind. A mutter in my ears. A brutal shout in my mind.
“Hurry, Azazel Altair. You’re running out of time.”
