Page 46 of Avidian
RULE 14 OF THE NEW ORDER: CERTAINTY IS THE GREATEST LIE—WHEN YOU THINK YOU KNOW EVERYTHING, THE TRUTH WILL UNRAVEL YOU.
“IsMischka coming along on this little trip with us?” Malachi asks, taking a sip from his water bottle.
“Duh, she goes everywhere I go,” I laugh, and Mischka appears instantly, doing her signature little run up and down the aisle before hopping onto my lap.
Malachi shakes his head with an amused smile. “I wish I could see the world the way you do. Must be a trip.”
“Yeah, it’s always changing too,” I say, taking the water bottle he offers me.
“What do you mean by that?” he asks, tilting his head curiously as I take a sip.
“I don’t really know much about Avids or even my own abilities. I’ve never really had anyone to talk to about it. All I know is that over the years I’ve gotten stronger, and the more I use my gift, the more it evolves,” I tell him, stroking Mischka’s fur absentmindedly.
“Then why aren’t you using it all the time? If I were you, I’d be trying to become as powerful as possible,” he says, and I glance out the window, my thoughts drifting to the veil.
“Seeing the dead is still creepy, even for me, you know. Every time I project, it takes a toll,” I admit, watching the clouds blur past.
“When you project? I overheard my father and Orin talking about it before. Orin wanted to force you to do it. My father said it wasn’t a good time because it knocks you out for days—what the hell is that all about?” Malachi places his hand over mine, and I let it fall to my lap, Mischka disappearing in an instant.
I glance down at his hand then up to meet his eyes. When did he become comfortable enough to touch me? And why does it feel like something’s shifted between us? I don’t want to acknowledge it, so I quickly turn my gaze back to the window. After a moment, he pulls his hand away, as if he feels the tension too.
“Projecting is when seeing the spirits in our world isn’t enough,” I begin, my voice softer now. “I push a piece of myself—my soul—out into the veil, where I communicate with them on their terms. I see things from their perspective. That’s the best way I can describe it.” I pause, my fingers tightening slightly on my lap. “But when I do it, it’s…draining. And things feel different over there. It’s darker on that side of the veil.”
He leans back slightly, his brows furrowed, but he doesn’t speak right away, giving me the space to finish my thought. It’s oddly comforting. For someone I swore I didn’t like not too long ago, he sure has a way of making me feel heard.
But I don’t want to talk about projecting right now. I want answers. Real answers.
“Will you tell me where we’re going now?” I ask, my gaze flicking nervously to the window. All I see are endless clouds, butthat doesn’t stop me from looking every few minutes, hoping for some clue.
“I’m taking you home. To my home, where I’ve been for the last ten years,” he says casually, like he’s discussing the weather.
I snap my head back toward him, eyes wide in shock. “Your home? You mean the Midwest District? I can’t believe Marco is letting you take me there. And without any security.”
“Yes, Midwest is right. And why is that so hard to believe?” He leans back, folding his arms like he’s challenging me.
I let out a soft, bitter laugh. “Because I’ve never gone anywhere without Marco. Ever. Not once since I met him.” It’s the unspoken truth of my life.
Malachi’s lips press into a firm line, his jaw tightening slightly. He doesn’t say anything, but his expression shifts, like he’s deep in thought. I can’t tell if my answer bothers him or if it’s another piece of information he’s filing away. Either way, the silence stretches between us until I find myself resting my eyes.
“Rise and shine.”Malachi’s voice jolts me awake. How long was I asleep? How long was the flight? I sit up, brushing my hair out of my face, blinking at him as he’s already halfway out the plane door. By the time I get to my feet, the pilot is shaking his hand, and then I watch as the plane takes off again. Malachi begins loading our luggage into a truck parked inside the hangar.
I step out, surprised by the biting cold and the blanket of snow surrounding us. I’m not sure what I expected, but I guess it makes sense—it is the middle of winter.
“Ready?” he asks, sliding into the driver’s seat. I follow, climbing into the passenger side and glancing around thehangar. It’s eerily quiet, nothing like the chaos I’m used to. No one else is in sight. I like it. I feel like I can breathe better here.
I buckle my seatbelt, idly looking out the window at the shelves inside the hangar—random items scattered across them: a gas can, some old folders. But then I notice we’re not moving. Turning my attention back to Malachi, I find him leaned back against the window, watching me.
What the fuck?
“Why aren’t we driving?” I ask slowly, raising an eyebrow. My mind flashes through a series of worst-case scenarios, and I shake my head, trying to rid myself of the intrusive thoughts.
“We need to have a little talk before I take you to my home,” he says.
“A little talk?” I repeat, crossing my arms as suspicion settles into irritation.
He nods, his expression unreadable. “You have to understand, Katja. I need to know I can trust you.”
I glare at him, my annoyance flaring. “How can you not trust me after last night? I helped you. We saved those people together. If anything, I should be the one questioning if I can trust you.”
