“What were you supposed to do, Altair?” I asked, sighing.
“I don’t know.” He hesitated, shaking his head and tugging his bottom lip into his mouth. “Be better.”
Stars, I wasn’t equipped for such a conversation. I wasn’t sure I ever would be. All I could think to say was, “You’re doing better now. Maybe that’s enough.”
“Or maybe no amount of apologies will make up for what I’ve done.”
“Or, get this, your depressing pity party is unnecessary and unhelpful,” I said, rubbing my aching head. “Stop being weird and sad and just help me. The only path is forward. Both of us could use that reminder.”
“Fine,” he conceded, looking away to continue whittling. “But Iamsorry.”
“For what it’s worth, I accept your apology. Now shut up and help me plan.”
Chapter Sixteen
Azazel
“Father and Colonel Zade told Talon and I that we will begin preparing for the great liberation that will finally make Dajahim pure again.”
-From the journal of Azazel Altair, 9275 AS
“Tershetta, there is no way you’re actually this slow.” At this point, we were practically jogging. I wasn’t even breaking a sweat.
“Your stupid long legs are the real problem, jackass!” Nova shouted through gasps at my side. “How are you so fast when you smoke more than that volcano?”
I dared to peek down at her, risking the laugh I knew would come. Sweat was beading down her face, pooling at the tip of her nose as it always did. Her skin was flushed, her hair flying out of the knot atop her head. She was starting to lean forward now. Would she faint?
At least I’d get to carry her home. A small victory.
“You can’t possibly be tired. We’ve barely done five miles. This is child’s play.”
“You’re demented!”
“No, I’mresilient.It’s unbelievable that I’m the one sleeping on the hard floor and yet I’m way faster than you.” That part was true. My backhurt.
“You’ve trained your whole life and probably slept on what was equivalent to a cloud for like seventy years. I doubt a couple weeks of discomfort will hurt you.” She stumbled a bit, righting herself and shouting, “Meanwhile, I’m going topass out!”
“Fine, we can take a short break.”
“A break? I’m near death!”
Chuckling, I slowed, watching in amusement as she let herself fall to her hands and knees in the powdery snow. Wheezes periodically came from her like an old toy with a broken squeaker. “So dramatic.”
“I hate you,” she said with a groan.
And I love you.
Get a grip, crazy.
“You’ll survive,” I shot back.
“I won’t. I can feel it. This is the end.”
“Rest in peace.”
“In your dreams. I’m going to haunt the fuck out of you, Snake.”
“You already do, Little Void.”
