Page 80 of Feathers of Ash and Hope

She huffs out a breath, donning a bored expression, but her body is still tense.

“Tell me why you left the academy tonight, and I will let you go,” I tell her.

“I already told you I wanted to meet a friend.” She speaks the truth but doesn’t meet my gaze. Something is up.

Is she passing on information? Is she another trap?

The thoughts make my blood run cold. I don't know anything about her unless I count joining the academy under a false name and that Cassius grew up with her. I tagged her as harmless, but what if she isn't?

“And why is that?” The ice in my voice mirrors the one coursing through my veins. Our faces are so close that the clouds of our breaths mingle. She goes rigid at my tone but still doesn't offer any explanation.

Have I endangered my flight, my division by trusting her?

I watch her closely while I go through the possibilities. “You met up with someone,” I reiterate. “Did you give her something?” Her eyes flare for a second, telling me I’m right on the mark. “What was it?” I ask. She lets her head fall back against the wall and I see the resolve in her eyes before she answers.

“Letters,” she whispers.

“Are you spying on us?” I ask, my voice gruff. Her eyes go wide with shock, her head snaps forward and her pulse spikes under my fingers.

“No!” She shakes her head frantically. Truth.

“Well, Jared knows where your friend lives now. Do I need to visit her, or are you finally going to talk?” I push.

“Leave Sloan alone!” There’s a fire in her eyes now, but fear, too, and seeing that emotion on her face slices me open. I don’t want her to be afraid of me. “I'm not spying on anyone, I promise,” she assures me hurriedly.

“And why would you sneak out letters in the middle of the night instead of posting them yourself?” I ask, my voice softer now that I know she isn’t a spy.

She sighs, studying her feet before looking up at me again. “They don't know I'm here.”

“Who?” I fire back. We’re finally getting somewhere.

“My family,” she answers, her shoulders slumping, her eyes back on her feet. I blink at that.

What?

That is not what I expected. Most want to shout it from the rooftops that they are a skyrider, not hide it like a dirty secret.

“Where do they think you are?” I duck my head to meet her eyes.

“Visiting Sloan.” She shrugs. Well, that is kind of fucked up. My mind jumps to the scars on her skin.

“Are you hiding from your family?” The thought of someone hurting her deliberately…I grind my teeth, fighting for control.

“It's a long story.” She sighs, and her eyes jump to my hands still circling her wrists… with more force than necessary. I relax my grip.

“You are not going anywhere at the moment, so try me,” I tell her. Now that my focus is on her wrists, I notice the sharp edges under the soft fabric.

Daggers.

She may look harmless in that soft dress, but she’s not.

And why the mists do I think that is hot?

“You’re armed,” I state the obvious.

Her eyes wander over my weapons before meeting my gaze.

“So are you.”

---