Page 113 of Feathers of Ash and Hope

Ara is one of them, and by the looks she throws me, I know she wonders why she’s here since she’s the only runner.

We are in my tent, which doubles as a meeting place for now.

We are high up in the mountains, and the mist shrouding our camp might not be magical, but it still creeps into your clothes, making you clammy and miserable in no time.

“Summer, you stay back and watch the camp,” I order.

Ara lurches back like I’ve slapped her. Her eyes, still locked on me, narrow. I know that look by now—to say she isn't happy about the order is an understatement.

Well, that makes two of us who are unhappy about orders they still have to execute.

The only positive thing about this trip compared to the last is that the runners didn’t have to walk up here, and we won’t have a problem evacuating.

The negative is that we are about to face armed men, who will probably face a life in one of the arenas when caught, and the thirty-two runners with us have nearly no fighting experience.

And the thought of Ara between all of that or jumping in front of me again…I can’t stand even the thought of that. There is no way I can concentrate on fighting or making the right decisions if I worry about her.

As soon as the meeting ends, Ara marches over to me. She stops about five steps away and taps her foot, waiting for the others to clear out.

Jared sends me a pitying glance before he leaves the tent.

“I think I feel a storm brewing,” Daeva throws in.“I can nearly feel the wind ruffling my feathers.”

Ara is especially good at ruffling feathers, and I enjoy watching her do it, but unfortunately, her ire is directed at me this time.

“Why are you keeping me here?” she whisper-shouts as soon as we’re alone.

“Sunshine, you have no idea what we face out there.” I try to reason with her. “It will be safer—” I don't get to finish that sentence and realize my mistake as soon as the word safer leaves my mouth.

“You have no right to make me wait here while everyone else risks their neck,” she hisses. Her finger drills into my chest in a staccato rhythm, accentuating her every word. I capture her hand before she can hurt herself. I’m wearing armor, after all. When she resumes with the other one, I catch that as well. She glares at me.

“Actually, I have every right to make that decision.” I glance at the markings on my uniform, and she huffs.

“I’m much better with a sword than many others, so what is your…” She stops tugging on her hands. “Is this about the kiss?” she asks, and I let her hands go. “If you think you can lock me away in the next belltower because of one little kiss,” she seethes, “then it’s a good thing you changed your mind because—”

“Little kiss?” I raise my eyebrow mockingly. She incinerated me with that little kiss. Seeing the fire in her eyes flare at my words, I want to claim her mouth right here and now.

Keep your cool, I admonish myself.

“If that is keeping your cool…”Daeva’s unwanted comment nearly makes me snap at her, but one pissed-off female is enough. I take a deep breath and address the one in front of me, getting back on topic.

“No, this is about your tendency to act before you think. You throw yourself into danger without any thought about your safety. You don’t take the time to think it through first.”

“Well, that worked in your favor, too, if I remember correctly.” She throws up her hands like she doesn’t understand my fucking problem with that.

“You could have died,” I roar, finally running out of patience and far past fucking caring who hears me.

“Well, you could have, too. But we’re still here, aren’t we? Both of us. And that is because of the tendency you just complained about.”

“You didn’t even know me.” This time, I’m getting in her face. How can she not see my point?

“It seems like I still don’t.” She throws me a disgusted glance, turns around, and marches to the exit. I grip my hair in frustration because she drives me up the wall.

“You will guard the camp,” I order, nearly expecting her to talk back.

“Do I look like I’m stupid enough to hand you or Joel an excuse to kick me out for disobeying orders?” She scoffs. “For my own safety, of course,” she adds mockingly and flips me off before stomping out of view.

I huff out a breath. Now that went well.

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