Page 24 of Fading Sun

The wind.

I blink, trying to focus on Amber, but her words don’t reach me.

Power like that doesn’t just strengthen, the wind continues. It overflows, spills out, and corrupts.

Its warnings are eerily similar to those Langwerda gave us in her cottage.

She told us that the last wielder of the Crimson Quill—one of Blaze’s ancestors—gave it to her to hide away because he feared its potential for misuse. And after Blaze bound the quill to himself, she told him it has the power to change, create, and destroy.

That’s right, the wind speaks in my ear, egging on my thoughts. His power is a ticking time bomb. It’s changing him. Making him dangerous. You need to stop him—before it’s too late.

I pull my legs to my chest and wrap my arms around them, trying to block out the wind. But it’s no use. It’s a storm around me, haunting me, tugging at my mind, refusing to back down.

Blaze has served his purpose. He got the potion out of Amber and into the compass. He’s not needed anymore.

My heart pangs at the wind’s harsh words, yanking me back into the present.

Because Blaze is needed.

By me.

“Morgan?” Amber’s voice cuts through my dark thoughts. “Are you okay?”

No, I think. The literal air around me is telling me to kill the guy I might be falling in love with.

“All good,” I say instead, shooting her a smile that I’m sure is far from believable. “Just tired.”

She waits, assumedly for me to say something more, but I don’t.

“Okay,” she finally says, although from the way she looks at me, I can tell she knows something isn’t right.

I need to get out of here before she can start prying for the truth.

“I have to go.” I stand up, trying to push the wind’s whispers from my mind before it can convince me to do something I’ll regret. “Good luck tonight. I’m sure you’ll do great.”

Amber frowns, then stands as well. “I’ll walk back with you,” she says, and I don’t fight her on it, since our rooms—and Blaze’s—are all on the floor reserved for guests.

It would be strange to run away and leave her alone.

“Just promise me you won’t let me go to Blaze’s room,” I tell her. “I’m too tired to talk to him. I need to wait until I can think straight.”

I also need to avoid being alone with him minutes after thinking about killing him.

“Sure.” She flashes me another concerned look, pauses, then adds, “Are you sure you’re okay?”

“I’m fine,” I snap, and she flinches at my sudden harshness. “It’s been a long few days. I just need to lay down and get some rest.”

“Got it,” she says. “No problem.”

The elevator ride is tense and silent, as is the walk down the hall. Luckily, my room is closer than Amber’s. She’s all the way at the end.

The best and largest guest room, for Damien’s intended bride.

“Good luck with Lysandra tonight,” I tell her, now that I can think somewhat clearly again. “I don’t know what she’s going to offer, but you need to be cautious with the fae. Always. If something sounds too good to be true, it definitely is.”

“You don’t want me to make a deal with her,” Amber says flatly.

“I don’t know,” I admit, since despite my ability, I don’t know everything.

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