Page 72 of Above
“I generally don’t.” Altair released my curl, his hand falling to his side. We were too close. Too open. Too everything in that moment.
“Don’t tell anyone about this, okay?” I asked as I stepped back, folding my arms around myself.
Altair cocked his head to the side, assessing me as he said, “It would hurt me just as much as it would hurt you, right? Waste of my time.”
“Exactly right. And next time you decide you want to drown yourself, I promise not to interfere.” Swiftly, without second-guessing myself, I stepped forward and swung my knee, catching him between his legs.
“There she is,” he croaked, bending forward as he gripped himself. Smiling down at him, I turned, waving.
“Goodnight, Snake. Lay off the liquor and leave me alone.”
“Will do, Little Void,” he groaned. His grunt was followed by the hum of a blade sailing through the air. The pain was sharp and quick, a slice of his dagger to the back of my calf that had me stumbling.
Looking over my shoulder, I leveled him with a glare. But he only winked and chuckled, his dimples appearing briefly before he shadow walked away.
Ass.
As I made my way toward the barracks while attempting to heal myself, I considered our night of civility. Had he been pretending? Or was there really a good person hidden somewhere inside of him? I doubted even he knew. Since he was still determined to kill me, it didn’t really matter.
Every stair was painful, each step leaving my leg aching, the cut continuously breaking open. The excruciating sting and the warm, dripping blood reminded me of who I was. Their enemy. The akhata who gladly threatened their precious way of life. One of the few things standing in their way.
Altair and Talon could say that I wasn’t capable of saving my family, but the latter’s clear fear of my success told a different story. Each new step was one closer to a solution, and if I only kept climbing, I would find it.
By the time I reached the top floor, I was positive I’d crumble. Still, I had done it, and that was enough for now. Leaving a trail behind me, I slowly crept down the hall, reaching Talon’s door with a sigh. It was late, but not so deep into the night that he’d be asleep. I was fully prepared for any anger he would offer me.
Opening the door, I was instantly met with his amber gaze. Apparently, he was also prepared.
“Hi.” My soft response was awarded only a sharper glare and crossed arms. He stood by the window that faced the sea, as if he had been star gazing before he began his furious position. Clearly, he was furious, but why? He knew I left. There was no reason for him to bethisstandoffish. “Is everything okay?”
When he didn’t reply, I nodded and closed the door, heading over to my bed and grabbing some night clothes from beneath. As I purposefully stumbled through the task, I tried to consider what would be upsetting him. My absence? Our unresolved argument from the other morning? Something worse?
“You two looked cozy.” Fuck. There it was. Definitely worse.
Not wanting to further upset him, I slowly stood, pivoting to face him, ignoring the burn in my leg as it continued to bleed. He had moved closer, his steps silent. Now I could make out the exhaustion on his face. The devastation.
“It’s not what you think, Talon.”
“I’m quite tired of hearing that from you two.”
“He had been halfway in the water when I was leaving, and I thought he was a trainee preparing to drown themself.” He had to believe me. Why would I ever want to be around Altair if I didn’t have to be?
“Oh yes. Nova the savior,” he mocked. “That makes complete sense. Why wouldn’t you save one of the random classmates that probably hates you? I’m so sure that was what happened.”
“It was!” I shouted. He scoffed in response, clearly not believing me. “When I tried to walk away, he ran at me and shadow walked us to the Star District. I hit him and got him on the ground, but he said that if I left him there he’d tell everyone I was going somewhere at night.”
“Suddenly you care about people knowing you leave?”
“If it can get me killed, then yes!”
“Or maybe you’ve decided that I can’t help you anymore and you need to sleep your way a step higher!” His voice was hysterical, his eyes wide and loose hair a mess from the way he tugged at it. “Maybe fuck him until he forgets he wants to slaughter you and everyone like you!”
Stars I wanted to hit him. I wanted to scream. To turn around and never come back. But I worked hard to tamp down my anger. To take the time needed to see what he was really saying.
“Talon, I think we need to have a serious talk about you and I.”
“Great. Just perfect.” He threw up his hands, turning around and walking away from me.
“Is that not what’s going on?” I asked, trying to further heal my leg so I could follow him. “You’re confused about us and think that I’m using you?”
