Page 35 of The Alien in the Archive

I watch her for a moment longer, the urge to say something, anything, scraping at my ribs. But I don’t.

Instead, I look over her shoulder again.

“That’s better,” I murmur roughly. “You’re starting to get the hang of it.”

She glances up at me like she’s about to tear into me…then she softens.

“Thank you, Thorne,” she says.

I scoff. “No need.”

14

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By the time Riley drags me out for socializing again in Mythara, I’m desperate for a break—not that I’d ever tell him that.

I lied and said that I went to the doctor for my migraines, which has put him at ease. My lessons with Thornehavehelped—I can control my mind reading much better now—but headaches were never the problem. Still, Riley is satisfied that I’m on the mend, and I’d like it to stay that way.

The city square is alive tonight, buzzing with light and sound. Floating lanterns drift lazily above the cobbled streets, casting warm, shifting patterns on the ground. In the center of the square, a fountain glows gold, making it look like the water is alive.

“There she is!” Riley calls when he sees me. He’s sitting at a round stone table near the fountain, surrounded by his usual entourage—Lyn, Orin, and Thalara. They’ve all got a drink in front of them, and Riley even seems to have ordered something for me. The sight of them makes me hesitate for a split second, not really up for a whole lot of social interaction,but Riley waves me over. “My favorite sister, in the flesh.”

I sigh, plastering on a smile as I join them. Lyn scoots over to make room for me, smiling. I really do like her, admire her scholarship and her drive to know things. Orin leans back in his seat, long legs stretched out lazily in front of him, while Thalara sits primly with her hands folded in her lap, skin reflecting the lights from the water.

“It’s been a while,” Lyn comments. “Heard you’re deep in some pretty interesting research.”

I glance over at Riley. “There’s no way you framed it that politely.”

“Well, his exact language was ‘she’s probably in the Obscuary, buried under a mountain of books, muttering about lost civilizations’,” Lyn says.

“Sounds about right,” I say dryly. “Don’t let him fool you. He’s just mad I don’t have time to babysit him anymore.”

“Babysit me?” Riley sputters. “I’m the reason you even survived college. Remember the coffee runs? The midnight pep talks? The unshakable belief in your questionable decisions?”

“Right, because ‘unshakable belief’ is what you call, ‘Maybe you should drop out and open a bakery’.”

Lyn laughs. “Hey, it’s a solid backup plan. But I get it. You’re tenacious. In fact, I think Riley could learn something from you if he wants to get out of hot water with Professor Rhyss?—”

“I get it, you like my sister better than me,” Riley scoffs, feigning offense. “It’s fine, it’s fine…”

“Don’t be dramatic,” Thalara chimes in with a small smile. “We like you just fine, Riley. Most of the time.”

“Most of the time?” Riley gasps, clutching his chest. “That’s a betrayal. Lyn, back me up!”

“Oh, I’m neutral. No alliances here.” Lyn grins wickedly. “Though…you do get on my nerves more often than Page does. Just saying.”

I take a sip of my drink and listen as they fall into comfortable banter, going back and forth as if I never even showed up. I like it this way—just listening and watching, distracted from…

…from Thorne.

Fuck.

Even now, I can’t get him out of my mind, lodged there like a splinter. Thorne's voice lingers in my head, his sharp words from earlier echoing alongside his frustrating charm. God…why can't I shake him? I should be participating, engaged, enjoying this rare moment of normalcy, but Thorne is ever-present.

I don’t want him. I’m not even sure if I like him.

Right?

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