Chapter 26: Everly

Chapter

Twenty-Six

EVERLY

I know I should be cleaning pots. Morwen probably even expects it of me, but I cannot bring myself to leave the tent. Not after the way I humiliated myself in front of Cenric.

Did I actually thank him for not kissing me?

I groan and bury my face against my hands.

Stupid. Stupid. Stupid.

Why did I have to say that to him? As if he'd ever want to kiss me…

I roll onto my stomach, burying my face in my pillow. Maybe if I suffocate myself, I won't have to see him again.

No, that's dramatic. But still...

A whoosh of air rustles the tent flaps, and I bolt upright, my heart leaping into my throat. Hawke materializes out of thin air, his form solidifying from a swirling gust of wind.

I open and close my mouth, the words lost against my tongue.

One second, there is nothing but empty space. The next, there he stands, all golden-eyed and smirking.

"How did you—" I sputter, then clamp my mouth shut as realization hits me. Only someone from the Calcite tribe has air magic. "You're not Bloodstone. You're Calcite!"

His smirk widens. "Clever girl."

I want to smack that smug look right off his face. Instead, I settle for narrowing my eyes. "What are you doing here? Are you trying to get us both killed?"

Hawke shrugs, dismissing my fear with a wave of his hand. "Calm down. No one saw me enter."

"If you're Calcite, why are you here in Bloodstone territory?"

"Why not?"

I roll my eyes at Hawke's non-answer. Of course he'd be cryptic.

"So," he says slowly, as if he has all the time in the world. "What secrets have you uncovered for me?"

I bite back a snarky retort. As much as I'd love to tell him where he can shove his questions, I can't risk my family's safety.

"Well," I begin, "I was washing pots by the lake earlier..."

Hawke raises an eyebrow. "Riveting start."

I resist the urge to throw said pot at his face. "Do you want to hear this or not?"

He gestures for me to continue, that irritating smirk still in place.

"They always patrol in groups of eight. And there are at least three thousand warriors here." It's not exactly earth- shattering intel, but it's true. And hopefully enough to keep Hawke off my back.

"Anything else?" he prods, his tone now sharper, as if he's internally preparing a dagger for his next attack on some poor, innocent person.

I wrack my brain, trying to remember any other information that might satisfy him. "Luc and Gabriel have joined Cenric, and they brought a lot more warriors with them."

Hawke's eyes narrow. "Interesting. What about Cenric? Learned anything useful about him?"

My heart thunders in my ears as I struggle to keep my face neutral. "He's in charge of a lot of the strategic planning. He's always in meetings with the other commanders." It's vague, but true. And hopefully enough to placate Hawke without actually betraying Cenric.

Hawke studies me for a long moment, and I resist the impulse to squirm under his stare. Finally, he nods. "Keep digging. I want to know everything about their defenses, their plans, and especially about Cenric."

"I'll do my best."

"See that you do," he says, his tone carrying a clear threat. "Remember what's at stake."

With that, he steps back, his body dispersing into a swirl of wind.

Great. Now, I have to figure out how to keep spying without actually spying.

Only the gods know when and where Hawke will appear again.

Hopefully in the middle of a roaring campfire.