Chapter 25

Syl eschewed the bed in favour of the floor where we could sit nearer to each other, and I couldn't refuse her the contact I also craved. She fell asleep, holding my hand to her face. How badly I wished I could sketch her, sleeping peacefully, her breath puffing against my wrist where her mark remained.

Scars had formed where we'd bitten each other, though the wounds had healed quickly enough that no mark should have been left. It was almost like the sheer force of our will to be marked and claimed by each other had forced the scars to form, to leave an impression on our bodies as we made an impression on our souls.

How long would they keep us here, and would they truly let Syl leave with me? I'd had no idea her time in the breeding program had been extended, and I'd foolishly mistook her desperation for a desire of motherhood. Smirking at my idiocy, I rubbed a thumb against her soft cheek, and she pulled my hand closer, as if even in sleep she could not let go of me.

Syl was mine now, as surely as I'd already been hers. I'd been right. There was something between us, and though we faced banishment, a fragile joy and hopefulness came to life in my chest whenever I thought of a future with her in it.

Whatever was out there, whatever was thrown at us, we'd be together at last. Mated. Bound. The idea made me giddy, and I vowed to the sleeping angel in the cell next to mine that I would find a way to protect her, to give her the life she deserved. One filled with dresses and art.

My head still ached from Carter's attack, and I leaned my sore temple on the cool metal bars. Exhausted, I drifted off, startling awake at the sound of the door.

I looked up to find Jace. His brows furrowed and his lips pressed into a tight line. Syl woke, too, and we shared a look before standing as one. Our hands joined to face him.

"Well, it's to be banishment, Ashton."

I winced at the sound of my other name. It was more foreign, more hated to me than the one I had assumed,.

"Bash. His name is Bash now." Syl's voice was firm as she stared Jace down.

"Okay, well, Bash, I'm sorry, but it's banishment." He was quiet for a moment, stuffing his hands in his pockets and looking back towards the door.

"Syl, I'm sorry, but you're being removed from the breeding program for your outburst. I'm sure it would have been forgiven if you'd been in the breeding program proper, but as someone already on an extension…" He trailed off, and I understood what he meant. Her presence in the breeding program was already granted as a favour, and she'd abused her privileges.

Worriedly, I glanced over at Syl to see how the news affected her, giving her hand a comforting squeeze. Only she looked up at me and smiled, her eyes shining. There was no hint of sadness within their clear blue depths, and I couldn't help but smile back. We'd assumed she'd be ousted, and with her no longer deemed a breeder, they'd be more likely to allow her to join me in banishment.

"It's all right, Jace. This is what we expected to happen, and with Syl released from the breeding program, she'd like to join me in banishment."

Jace gave Syl a pained look, but said nothing. He scratched his shaggy head. Licking his lips and frowning, his eyes drifted down to study our joined hands. His lips pressed into a line.

"It's not a death sentence," he blurted, snapping his mouth shut like he'd spoken out of turn.

Frowning, I waited for him to elaborate.

"You know that couple? The one who left together and ran away?" Jace asked.

Everyone knew about them and how they'd chosen each other over their loyalties to the pack, and somehow had slipped out through the borders. A guard and a breeder lost to the wilds and their certain death.

"Yes, of course."

I felt a familiar pang of guilt at their mention. I remembered watching them on the monitor. How they'd acted during the woman's breeding party. How they'd touched more than was necessary. How I'd doomed them by failing to report it.

I'd lied, of course, when they'd asked me if anything unusual had happened, but I could never lie to myself. If I'd just told somebody about how strangely they were acting, the pack would be all the stronger, and they'd still be alive.

"They're not dead."

Not dead? The possibility hadn't occurred to me, and I perked up, listening intently.

Jace sighed, his shoulders slouching forward. "There's a rumour of a pack, far north of here, where they're taking in loners and mated pairs."

Syl and I shared a look.

"What about defectives?" Syl asked.

I winced at the term, hating how Syl considered herself. Jace didn't look so happy about it, either.

"No one is defective, Syl. We all serve the pack in whatever way we can, some-"

"Spare me your pack loyalty bullshit, Jace. Everyone calls them, I mean us"—she shot me a look—"defectives."

Jace nodded slowly, his eyes filled with sadness. "Right. I have no idea if they'd take you in or not, but—Well, my brother is there, and I can't imagine him turning you away."

His brother? Interesting.

"When you're banished, you're given a week's worth of supplies. It might be enough to reach them, and if not, there's always hunting. Syl, you're fast. The swiftest in the pack, actually. You should be able to catch supper. Bash, I snuck you a few extra puffers."

Incredulously, I stared at him.

"Why would you help us like this?"

"Just—when you see my brother"—he swallowed hard—"when you see Dame, will you tell him I'm sorry?" He didn't elaborate, but I saw regret in his eyes and in the twist of his lips as he turned away.

What the fuck had happened between him and his brother?

He didn't volunteer any more information, and the tight set of his jaw kept me from asking questions. He'd done his best for us, to help us, to guide us, and I felt an urge to reciprocate.

"Jace?" He met my eyes. "Thank you, and if you ever need help from a watcher, there's this guy named Cam. His room is number eighteen, and he's the primary watcher for Pack Breeders 103C. He's a good guy. If you mention my name, say I owe you, he'll help within reason."

Jace nodded slowly. "I'm sorry I can't do more. The wilds aren't so hospitable, but if you can make it to the new pack…Well, take this." He passed a circular item through the bars, and I frowned down at it, not having any idea what it was.

The device was metal with a glass front encasing a circle with the letters N E S W set equal distance apart. A strange red arrow that moved when I turned it.

"I don't think they train watchers how to navigate, but that's a compass. It's a way to make sure you're moving in the right direction. See how the arrow moves depending on which way you point it? You want to keep the arrow just here." Jace reached through the bars and pointed to a spot between the N and the E. "Keep walking with the arrow pointed there and you'll find them."

"Thank you, again."

"It's the least I can do."

Frowning, I studied him, trying to understand what he could mean and failing. The least he could do? I wondered if this was all to do with Syl and whatever he'd meant by him owing her, or if it was something else.

"Jace, before you go. Put in my request for banishment alongside Bash, please?"

Jace swallowed like he was going to be sick, but he nodded, turning to go. With one hand on the door, he turned back to look at us.

"Banishment will take place at dawn. Good luck."

Syl met my eyes, and I found the same resolve I felt reflected in them. We would be okay so long as we were together.

We had to be.