Page 146 of The Last One
“If,” Philia interrupts, “she didn’t sell it or exchange it for—”
“One more time: we’re going that way.” I point in the direction of Caburh. “There weren’t any moths fluttering around Gileon, so again, I doubt he has the amulet.”
“But that doesn’t mean he doesn’t have Olivia—”
“You know what?” I snap. “I don’t beg for followers, and I’m tired of being second-guessed. Follow Gileon Wake, then. Go that way.” I point at the path behind us. “Good luck.” I level my shoulders, then say, “Veril?”
The old man says, “I’m ready.”
Together, the Renrian and I continue our slower westward trek. Soon, I hear the patter of two more pairs of feet as Jadon and Philia fall into step behind us.
We walk on, the forest quieter, colder. We pass limbless trees. Tromp upon gray dirt. Nothing moves—not a branch, not a bird. Eerie stillness.
I look behind me, sensing…
“What?” Jadon catches me looking.
“I’m thinking about what Gileon said.”
She told us that they would be traveling this road.She practically guaranteed that I would find them heading this way.
“Who is ‘she’?” I ask. “And that cardinal. Let’s not forget that it wasn’t too far from that falcon. I just find it strange that the falcon didn’t even think to catch a bright-red bird for dinner.”
He shrugs. “Maybe the falcon didn’t see it and that’s why it didn’t attack. Maybe the falconer fed it before sending the bird out to avoid distraction.”
“I think that cardinal was one of Elyn’s sentinels,” I say. “Someonesquealed on us. Could Elyn be the ‘she’?”
Jadon pushes out a long breath. “Maybe.”
“If it’s Elyn, then…” Philia unties the mace from the strap on her bag and swings the steel ball a few times. “I’ll be ready next time. She’ll be sorry that she messed with us.”
I chuckle. “To Elyn and her guards, your mace will feel like a thorn on the smallest rose.”
“That doesn’t mean she can’t fight,” Jadon counters as he takes the lead on the trail. “You wanted her to have a weapon, and now you say that it’s useless?”
Against man, the mace would teach a few lessons. Against a being far superior to man? A thorn on the smallest rose. Still, I shrug and say, “You’re right. Swing on, then, Philia.”
Branches and dried leaves crunch beneath our feet. A foul odor stampedes through the woods, running over the fresher scents of evergreens and ferns. The dirt is parched—no rain has fallen in these parts for months. There are no owls in these trees. No ravens on rocks. This landscape is a reminder that Vallendor is dying.
Eventually, Philia walks ahead with Veril, leaving me and Jadon to walk side by side. He clears his throat, then says, “I’m sorry.” When I don’t respond, he steps in front of me. “Kai—”
I step around him, my patience depleted like the dried dirt beneath our feet.
“Can you stop and listen for a minute?” he asks, standing still. “Please?”
I push out an irritated breath and face him.
He extends his arms to the side and says, “I am truly,trulysorry for hurting you. You didn’t deserve that, and I apologize.”
“Fine,” I say, ready to start walking.
“Wait.” He rushes to stand before me again. “I intentionally pushed you away—”
“Wrong thing to say.”
“My actions were harsher than I intended,” he says, shaking his head.
“You could’ve just said, ‘Hey, Kai. I think you’re great, but I’m not there yet and I don’t know when or if I’ll ever be.’ See? Still would’ve been awful to hear, but at least my version wasn’t cold and scary and—”
