Page 91 of Love, Nemesis
“Lately, you’ve been so quick to just accept things the way they are,” Jasper replied and grabbed his change of clothes.
She watched him as he started to walk away, feeling she’d done rather the opposite, and knowing his accusation was specific.
“Jasper,” she said.
“It’s all right, Ana,” he said. “Some things are better left unsaid.”
He disappeared into the woods.
She leaned back against a nearby tree. She shut her eyes against the interaction, trying to reset herself. His words made her feel conflicted. This would be, by far, the worst mentality to take into a battle.
She looked around for some distraction, but luckily, Jasper returned through the trees in his change of clothes, colored like coal.
“Like a real Mystic,” she observed stiffly, and he smirked, giving a slow turn with his arms outstretched.
She rose and they stood several feet apart, observing the space between them as if in ceremony. The woods were quiet around them.
“Ana,” he said, “I have something to tell you.”
She waited, wondering briefly what Jasper possibly had to share with her now.
Evenly, he explained. “I saw you and Lethe, alone in that room when Ares left.” By the gravity of his tone, Ana could only imagine what it was he’d seen, and misinterpreted.
“It’s all right,” he interjected when she opened her mouth. “Honestly, I’m not sure how I didn’t see it sooner.”
“Jasper,” she said louder, knowing he’d misunderstood. But then again, had he really?
“It makes sense,” he said, stopping her short.
Now she listened, confused as to his direction. His abruptness startled her; she hadn’t seen this change in his feelings coming. Had she misinterpreted his conflicted demeanor after all?
“Both of us thought we could leave our identities behind us and just be Statesmen, but I’ve realized that’s not true.”
“Jasper, I’ve tried,” she said, stepping toward him.
“I know,” he replied. “Maybe you shouldn’t anymore.”
“What are you saying?”
“I’m saying that you’ve spent everything trying to turn your life into something people would admire. They do. Now, I think it’s time for you to do something for yourself. Be yourself, even if it’sjust for the months you have left. Find out who that person is.” He stepped toward her, pulling her into his arms.
He hugged her, resting his chin on her head, and then his cheek.
“Don’t use your Atlas. Wait when you get back here,” he said. “Wait for me. Even if I’m late, you wait right here. You understand?”
“And if you’re too late?” she asked.
“You wait,” he said. “Just be sure and wait.”
She stepped away from him and searched his eyes, knowing the plan, knowing with distinct clarity the depths to which they’d solidified the details. This was one of three camps they planned to target. They had to move swiftly and precisely to have any chance of success.
He let go of her.
“Let’s go,” he said.
Both of them made their way back to the edge of the Mystic camp under a darkening sky. Ana rolled her shoulder as they crouched behind the hill over the camp. She looked over at Jasper, who was focused on the camp.
“Ready?”
