15. Fifteen

Fifteen

“What the hell did you do?” Pri hissed at me as we landed in a small wooden closet barely big enough for the two of us.

“I-I didn’t mean to . . . I was just trying to stop you,” I stammered, my voice frenzied. Our chests pressed together as a door opened somewhere close to us, and laughter began filling the space beyond our closet door. Pri slapped a hand over my mouth and held a finger up to her lips.

“Do not say a word,” Pri whispered, as I slowly nodded. “Stay here.” Her eyes locked on mine and for the first time since meeting her, I saw fear in them. She cleared her throat quietly as she slid in front of me, opening the door just wide enough for her to slip out.

“Well don’t you boys look devine.” Pri’s voice echoed from the other side of the door. Her voice flowed like a river of knives, captivating and cutting all at once.

My heart pounded in my chest as I listened—holding my breath. It sounded like she was exchanging pleasantries with someone. The door on the other side of the closet opened again and closed with a loud thud.

“Phoenix.” The boisterous voice sounded loudly throughout the room. “What a pleasant surprise.”

“Hello, Nox,” Pri purred, her voice ringing through my ears as I prayed my shadows would not leave me.

That I would not lose control of them.

“I was not expecting you for another week,” Nox said, and I could hear a chair scraping across the stone floor. “Give us the room,” Nox said, his tone sharp. I listened as multiple pairs of feet scuffled out of the room, shutting the door behind them.

“I am looking for a bit of information; I thought maybe you could help. You have always been my favorite informant,” Pri sang, her voice seductive.

“Oh how you flatter me, fire bird,” Nox said with a mirthless chuckle.

The air felt thick, laced with an ominous undercurrent that sent chills down my spine as I tried not to breathe.

“Well, you know I’m always happy to help you, Phoenix. But this information . . . it wouldn’t happen to be the kind that could get me killed, would it?”

Pri’s lilting laughter rang out, the sound dripping with false sweetness. “Now, Nox, when have I ever asked you for anything that wasn't worth your while?”

“Fair point.” He chuckled again, the sound of glass clicking together as their voices lowered. “What is it you want to know?”

“The wards in Redelvtum . . . who is helping Ammord and The Silliands shatter them?” Pri asked, her voice tighter.

“I do not know.”

Pri scoffed. “And you expect me to believe that?”

“I gave you all the information I have this afternoon. I have nothing more than that,” Nox stated.

“And what of this . . . child? What have you heard about its whereabouts?”

“They are still looking, they expected it would be at the academy but they have yet to find it. However, my sources say they are now interested in a girl that the High Priest of The Silliands came in contact with before she fled. You wouldn’t happen to know anything about that, would you?” I could hear the vile smile in Nox’s voice as he said the words.

Ice spread through my veins.

He was talking about me.

“No,” Pri said casually. “Is there something I should know about her?”

“Apparently, she has a form of realm magic that has not been seen before,” Nox said as my ears perked up, straining to hear the conversation.

“Well, that’s not unusual. New magic is always surfacing in those with mixed blood.” Pri’s voice stayed calm as I sucked in a deep breath.

I should not be here.

“Indeed, but the High Priest of The Silliands is now hell-bent on finding her.”

“I see,” Pri said as the sound of glass hitting wood sounded through the room. “Well, if you do not have any more information for me on the wards, I need to be going.” A chair slid across the floor.

“If you find any information on this girl, I expect to hear from you.” The edge in Nox’s voice was cold and I waited for Pri’s response.

“Of course,” Pri drawled. “I look forward to our next meeting. Hopefully we both will have more information.” This was a game. The sharpness in both of their tones could cut through flesh.

The hairs on the back of my neck stood up.

I had no idea how long we had been here.

I pressed myself further into the corners of the cramped closet, willing my shadows to conceal me. The stale air became suffocating and I braced myself for whatever would happen next.

Silence fell into the room.

I couldn’t hear Pri anymore.

I couldn’t hear anything.

The door swung open and my shadows burst from my chest.

“Hyacinth!” Pri hissed, grabbing my arm and pulling me from the cramped compartment. I didn’t have time to catch my bearings as my limbs were torn into blackness.

We landed in the sitting room of the safe house and I collapsed onto the floor, sucking in a deep breath as Ata rushed to my side and all eyes landed on us.

“Where the hell did you go?” Taft snarled at Pri as Ardan grabbed my hand and pulled me to my feet.

“Taft, it wasn’t her fault,” I said stepping between them, my hands shaking. “I grabbed onto her. I didn’t know she was going to tether.” Taft’s eyes flashed to mine and darkened.

“We need to get Hyacinth’s scent covered. I tried but I couldn’t get it all,” Pri said, ignoring Taft’s outburst as she looked at Wren.

“I will take care of it,” Wren said before tethering out of the house.

“Andrues, please place an additional ward around the entire area. We need to take every extra precaution now,” Landers said as he stood from his chair at the kitchen table. His brows pulled together as he looked at me.

“What happened? Are you hurt?” Ata asked, examining me.

“No, I—”

“Never do that again. Do you understand me?” Landers cut me off, his voice a low growl.

“I won’t,” I breathed, my heart pounding in my chest.

“Are you hurt, Cin?” Ata asked again, as she stepped in front of Landers.

“No, I’m fine,” I said looking down at her then shifting my eyes to Pri. “I’m sorry. I didn’t mean to. I promise I didn’t mean to go with you.”

“What happened?” Landers asked Pri sharply.

“My source doesn’t know anything more about Redelvtum. But he has confirmed that The Silliands are looking for Hyacinth; though I didn’t get the feeling he knew she was with us.” Landers nodded, dragging a hand over his face.

“Do you think we are still safe here?” Ardan asked.

“For now, I will go to my sources in The Silliands next; see if they have any more information,” Pri said, her eyes flashing to mine. She gave me a small smile of assurance and I let out a short breath.

“Thank you,” Landers said as the hard lines in his face began to soften. “Now that we are all back safe, rest. We need to continue training tomorrow.” Ata nodded, giving my hand a gentle squeeze before turning for the stairs with Ardan close behind her. Taft tugged on my arm and as he pulled me up the stairs I looked back to see Landers’s gaze still on me.

And for only a moment, I could have sworn I saw fear flash in his deep green irises.