Page 101 of Riftborne
“Why else would they be having private lessons at an off-campus gym? Doesn’t seem so innocent to me.” Briar’s lips were pursed, eyebrows wagging.
I shot Raine a look as my stomach turned to concrete. I couldn’t believe that she had leaked this information to anyone after I’d asked her not to. Based on the look on her face, she was regretting it.
I couldn’t help but notice a few heads turned our way. I leaned over the table, speaking in hushed tones. “Let’s talk about this later. Now really isn’t the time. Please?” I couldn’t help the stern undertone of my words.
Briar scoffed. “Stop with the dramatics. General Ashford is known to have favorites. You’re not the first, and you certainly won’t be his last, honey.”
“Briar, stop it!” Raine hushed, swiping her hand at him.
I needed to get some air.
“I’m going to go find Osta,” I announced, standing on stiff legs. When I didn’t see her in the powder room, I stepped out onto the connected docks.
I looked around, almost giving up when I saw Nazul’s frame leaning over a petite form, a flickering lamp barely illuminating the view. They were locked in an embrace, and sure enough, that was Osta’s yellow lace dress bunched in his fingers.
“What in the actual fuck,” I blurted, already on the move to break them up.
They pulled apart in a daze. When Osta saw me, her eyes went wide.
“Fia! I was going to tell you about us but it’s still so new–”
“No, no, no. This isn’t happening. Osta, he’snota good person. I’ve seen the people he spends his time with and know exactly how they feel about Riftborne.”
I seethed at Nazul. He had the decency to untangle himself from my best friend and step back.
“He’s not like you think. After he saved me in the clearing, we got to talking and I promise–”
“I’m telling you. He is just trying to use you for a lay.” I couldn’t help but cut her off again. “I think it’s time we go back home for the night.”
“Fia, I promise I don’t have any bad intentions with Osta. I really like her…” Nazul began. I held up my hand.
“It’s not happening. Not with her,” I snapped with a warning look.
I linked my arm around Osta’s and began pulling her behind me, but I could feel her resistance as she looked back at Nazul.
We made our way through the outdoor bar when Raine caught up to us.
“Were you leaving without saying anything? Fia, I’m really sorry. I accidentally let it slip months ago, before we got this close.I’m ashamed of myself. I never thought Briar would repeat that. Clearly I made a big fucking mistake,” Raine pleaded, concern heavy in her eyes.
I paused, taking a deep breath of the night air.
Releasing a confused Osta, I turned to Raine.
“It’s… fine. I just don’t know why he had to announce it like that. The timing couldn’t have been worse.” I frowned and looked around the mostly vacant street. Perhaps I should have been more upset with her, but I wasn’t exactly in a position to lose friends at the moment. I’d give her the chance to redeem herself with a new secret.
“I have a way you can make it up to me,” I offered a small smile.
“Anything,” Raine promised.
“The clearing. Whatever you saw me do… no you didn’t.” I bit my lip and glanced around once again. “I did a few little tricks and embarrassed some of the guys, causing a scene. That’s all that happened.”
Raine looked at me, confused, but I watched as the dots connected behind her eyes, and she nodded solemnly in understanding.
“You got it. I’ll inform the others too… maybe Briarafterhe sobers up. I’m still really sorry, Fia.”
“That would be helpful, thank you.” I promised to see her tomorrow before looping my arm with Osta’s again. She was looking longingly back towards the water and I couldn’t hold back an exasperated sigh as we began our walk back home.
“Osta, what were you thinking?” My lips curled back in disapproval.
