Page 7 of Fading Sun

“That’s all?” I ask. “No catch?”

“No catch.” She gives me a small smile, and I can’t help but feel like maybe—finally—my luck is changing for the better. “Now, from what you’ve told me, your mission is urgent,” she continues. “I’d offer you some stew but…” She glances at the bowls in front of us, which we haven’t touched.

I don’t distrust her. At the same time, it would be a shame to be poisoned this far along in our journey.

“Thank you. But you’re right—we have to leave,” I tell her, and she nods as I stand, as if she respects my decision.

Blaze stands as well, and we grab our packs from the floor. Carefully, he places the quill into his pack. We need to get it a small box for safekeeping, but for now, the pack will do.

Once it’s secured, we give each other a look, and I swear I know exactly what he’s thinking.

Let’s get out of here while we still have a chance.

After a polite round of goodbyes with Langwerda, we make our way out of the cottage. The air outside is crisp, and waterfall roars in the background, leading into the river below.

The moment the door closes behind us, Blaze steps away from me, his grip on his pack tightening.

He’s still angry at me.

I don’t know why I hoped that getting the quill would change that.

“Blaze…” I say, unsure where to start. “You did amazing in there.”

He barely acknowledges my words. Instead, his eyes are fixed on the path ahead, and his posture’s tense, as if he’s trying to put as much distance between us as possible.

My heart clenches as another wave of guilt crashes over me.

“Let’s just get back to the mortal realm, okay?” he finally says. “No need to stay here longer than we have to.”

He hates me.

He might be helping me, but he’s never going to trust me.

Not after what I did to him.

But it didn’t come from a bad place. I just needed to feel close to someone last night. To feel like there was someone on my side. Someone who cared for me.

Instead, I ruined the trust we’d been building together.

“I’m sorry,” I finally say, even though it’s not nearly enough. “I didn’t want to hurt you. I just…”

I just what? Was feeling lonely, used you, and wish I could take it back?

It’s horrible.

I’m horrible.

His eyes search mine, and for a moment, I see a flicker of something other than anger. Maybe it’s confusion. Maybe it’s pain.

But then it’s gone, replaced by the stone wall he’s been putting between us since I used my magic to scry our way out of that storm.

“You just should have been honest from the start?” he asks, although his words are sharp—clearly coming from a place of anger.

My heart drops as he turns away to stare at the waterfall.

A breeze stirs in the air, carrying an ominous chill that prickles against my skin.

And then, the whispers begin.

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