Page 94 of Forsaken Secrets

I grimaced. "It was worth it, though, Aunt. I promised Uncle Calix I would take care of you, and I'm going to."

She shook her head. "That man. If I could go back and force him to eat those damn words, I would. I can take care of myself!"

My chest ached, and I smiled at her. "I like to help, though. And this time it actually worked!"

She grabbed my hand and brought it close. "I never met your father, Kaiya, but I know your mother would be so proud of how you worked at this. However, please don't get your hopes up until it's all done. Things can change so quickly …" Her eyes drifted to the painted portrait of my uncle over the fireplace at the front of the room.

My eyes burned, and my throat felt tight. I tried to pull my hand away, but she wouldn't let it free.

Finally, she turned back to me, grey eyes intense. "You need to stop blaming yourself for your uncle's death. It isn't healthy."

I swallowed hard. "It was my fault, though. The more I learn about my magic, the more I learn that I could have maybe even saved him!" The memory of Lunei the day before drifted in my mind … how I'd used that relic to pull her back together. If I'd had it when he was sick …

Her jaw dropped. "No. That was not your fault, Kaiya! He was sick and you know there was nothing we could have done to save him. You know because we tried. Remember?"

I nodded. We had tried. That was how we'd ended up in so much debt. The Ellingsworths had negotiated a loan for us through the Capital so we could pay for better medical care for him.

I'd never forget the nose-tingling scent of medical supplies permeating the house, or the dozens of faces that came and went for days until finally they'd all just left.

"You've been learning about your magic?" Aunt Grace's words brought me out of my thoughts and I grimaced.

Oops. I had not meant to let that slip out. "Yes. A bit. It seems I may be some sort of bond mage?"

She looked away, speculative. "I'm not even going to ask how you know that, but I assume it has to do with these new friends of yours?"

I nodded, cheeks warm.

"So when will I get to meet them?"

My mind flashed back to the almost-kiss, and I swallowed hard. The last thing I wanted was to have him around here even more often. "I — I suppose we could have them over for dinner sometime? One of them is the Harlsted's nephew."

Aunt Grace's eyes widened. "Eli? One of them is Eli? Why, I saw him at the shop a few days ago. I had no idea he was one of your gentlemen. He's quite handsome and so kind, too!"

I laughed softly, ignoring the heat spreading from my cheeks down my neck. "He thinks so, too. But he's not 'one of my gentlemen'. We're just friends." I thought back to the night before and swallowed. Well, mostly just friends.

"Well, I'm glad that you can have some friends, then. Who's the other one?"

I thought of Lynk in his leathers and ever-present frown and grimaced. "He's different … you've probably seen him around town. He's a monster hunter."

Her eyes widened, but she nodded. "I see. And what will they do when you leave?"

I stared at her, mouth agape. "How do you know I'm leaving?" I hadn't even turned in the paperwork yet!

She smiled. "I had an interesting talk with a certain Lady Frexin yesterday. It seems that you're uniquely talented to work in her Science Division?"

Gods. She must have come straight here after leaving the shop! That woman was persistent.

Cheeks hot, I nodded. "It does sound pretty fantastic, but I've been set on the Reapers for so long … I kind of want to apply there first. Besides, it's where Eli works, so I'd have at least one friendly face!"

Aunt Grace nodded. "Just make sure you choose for yourself, not him. It would be terrible to be stuck in a job you hated just so you could be close to a man you once liked."

I grimaced. I hated the way it sounded, but she was right. "Either option has a year-long apprenticeship, though. I can't just leave you here for a year! What would you and Sylvie do?"

She scoffed. "We'd be just fine. Even if everything falls apart, I still think you should take the job. It's everything you've ever wanted. How could you say no?"

"One, I don't want to be indebted to her. Two, I doubt the Reapers will want me. Three, things aren't finalized yet. And four …" the guys. I didn't want to leave them. But it wasn't like I could tell her that! " … four, I'd miss you too much."

"Hogwash. You'd miss these friends of yours, wouldn't you?"

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