Page 90 of Of Flames and Fallacies

A map.

Beyond the northern part of Dragon’s Back Ridge is a hint of the Dragon Lands, covered by other papers. I’m kicking myself for not noticing it the first time I came in here.

“We’re going to be…late,” I warn, though partly distracted by the map on his desk.

Darian stalks toward me, grabbing two swords leaning against his desk. “We? Aren’t you supposed to be staying here? You know, northern part of camp and all.”

“In that instance, shouldn’t you also be staying?”

He shrugs. “They need me.”

“And they also need me,” I counter.

He snorts as he sheathes his swords, the slither of metal splitting the air between us. “Big Red really will do anything to keep his eyes on little sister, huh? If he knew better, he would have you stay here.”

“It was my decision,” I hiss, my fists clenching with his implied insult at Cole.

He points at the door and tucks a flask into his side. “Let’s see what you’ve got then.”

The sun set maybe an hour ago, and an eerie stillness hangs around the town of Blackfell. Last time I was here, it was raining. Luckily, only a few clouds scatter across the night sky. The moonlight ebbs in and out of the thin puffs of black.

Our squad is huddled and crouched near the outskirts of Blackfell as orders are whispered among us. The night chill seeps into my skin as the wind picks up, and I try to clench my hands still. But they tremble as I shiver, and my teeth clatter in response.

A weighted warmth cloaks my shoulders. I glance to my right as Darian retreats from draping his jacket over me.

“Your chattering is annoying as fuck, and I’m trying to focus,” he grouses.

“Or are you just trying to piss Cole off?” I counter.

He snickers and turns his attention back to Cole who’s commanding plans and orders with the rest of the group. Holy gods, Cole will lose his godsdamnedmindif he sees Darian’s jacket on me.

I rip the jacket off as I whisper, “You are always on your worst behavior.”

“For someone who hates my behavior, you have yet to tell me to stop.”

“Maybe it’s because I know you won’t.” I offer the jacket back to him.

He muffles a laugh, his eyes still fixed on Cole. “Well would you look at that. Look who knows now. Maybe Iamstarting to rub off on you.”

“I wouldn’t say rubbing off on me. You just push my buttons,” I grumble, shaking his jacket to get his attention.

“I’d rather undo them.”

I swat the jacket at Darian, and he ducks with a smirk.

Cole pauses announcing the plans to the group, glaring at Darian with a whistle. “Something you need to say?”

Darian shakes his head nonchalantly, a sly grin still on his lips.

Slinking away from Darian, I leave his jacket on the ground and shiver again as the wind whips at my skin. I slide in next to Archie, who is also forcing himself not to tremble.

“Are you okay?” I mutter, leaning my shoulder into his.

His wide eyes meet mine with a gulp. “Whistling at night is bad.”

My mind cuts to the time we spent in my room drinking, speaking of our greatest fears. Owls, Aunt Becky, and whistling at night. And Cole just whistled to get Darian’s attention.

I steady a hand on Archie’s arm. “We’re going to be okay.”

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