Page 109 of Feathers of Ash and Hope

“You didn’t have to wait for me,” I tell him.

“I wanted to.” He shrugs. “Just in case you were in trouble or something.”

“Worried he would secretly dispose of my body?” I tease.

He shrugs. “There is a strange tension between you two lately. Don’t blame me for assuming the worst with his reputation.” I nearly laugh but realize he’s being serious.

I stop him by laying a hand on his arm when he turns to leave.

“He won’t hurt me,” I promise. At least not in the way Calix fears.

His gaze is skeptical. “You sure?”

“Yes.” I’m saying it with a smile and all the conviction I can muster, but deep down, I’m worried about that, too.

When we arrive at Flight Theory, I sneak my brother’s letter between the pages of my notebook. It can’t hold anything good. After yesterday’s announcement, I can guess what it is—I hope I’m wrong.

Everyone’s gaze is on the board in front, where Prof. Sanders sketches something that looks like a wing. His voice is only background noise to me. I need to know what is in that letter.

I pry off the seal and unfold it. My fingers feel clammy.

My gaze skims over my brother’s neat handwriting before it finds the words I dreaded.I look forward to seeing you… Shit. Now I read the whole letter, and it keeps getting worse.

…didn’t answer any of my questions... last letter…worried about you… coming home with me…

Shit, shit, shit.

Calix's concerned look tells me I said that out loud. I force out a smile, but it doesn’t even feel convincing.

“What is it?” he whispers. Our gazes lock on Professor Sanders’s face. He hates talking in class.

“One of my nosy brothers wants to visit,” I whisper. He glances my way, the question plain on his face, before he turns back to the front. “Um…” I swallow. “They don’t know I’m here.” His head whips around to face me.

“What?” His question earns us a reprimanding look from Sanders. I wince. He lowers his voice to a hiss. “Where do they think you are?”

I bury my face in my hands, which makes my voice sound as hollow as I feel. “Visiting my cousin.”

“Shit.”

I peek up at him. “That’s what I said. Isn’t it?”

Tate has been awayfor eight days, and I know his flight returns from patrol today, but I haven’t seen him yet. Avoiding being alone with Tate is one thing but not seeing him for days is another.

I’m on my way to the library and just crossing the small hall to the stairs when the door to the courtyard opens, drawing my gaze. Jared steps through it, and I gasp. He’s covered in blood.

“What happened?” I hurry over to him.

“Not my blood,” he answers, and my stomach drops. “Not his either,” he hurries on when he sees my expression. “We came upon a full-on attack. It wasn’t pretty, but everyone will be alright.” I nod numbly.

I need to see him. Knowing they have been engaged in an attack…I need to see for myself that he’s fine because I didn’t miss Jared’s wording that everyonewill bealright.

“Where is he?”

“Reporting back to Janus. Where are you going?”

“I’m on my way to the library,” I tell Jared. “And you should clean up before you make someone’s heart stop.”

He chuckles at my joke but seems weary, and his steps are heavy when he heads off to the sleeping quarters. This must have been one hell of a patrol.

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