Page 80 of Riftborne
I took the moment to quickly peel off my leather training top, replacing it with the warm oversized shirt. My senses were suddenly enveloped by the scent of vetiver and burnt amber. The scent of him.
I stopped my mind from melting and cleared my throat.
“Are we decent?” he asked. His words hummed over my skin.
“Mhm,” I managed to get out. I could hear the smirk in his voice.
Without a glance in my direction, he grabbed a seat and positioned it a few feet in front of me. For a brief second, I wondered if there was a reason for the distance.
I shook the thought from my mind; it would be easier to concentrate this way. I couldn’t imagine what his proximity might stir in me right now.
I felt pathetic.
I had never needed or wanted anyone before. And I sure as Fírinne didn’t want to start now.
Rain continued to pour down in torrents above us, spattering across the roof and obscuring our view of the street outside. Hiseyes drifted past me, glazing over. It seemed as though his detachment from the last session had returned.
“You seem distracted.” I couldn’t help myself from pointing it out. I wouldn’t spend another day immersed in his disinterest. My progress might have been slow, but I truly felt I was getting a grasp on things.
“There is a lot going on right now.” He shook his head, returning his attention to me. “I’ve been working nonstop. When I ran into you last night, I had just left an all-day briefing. I’m… sorry if I came off too harshly.” He sounded as tired as I felt. When his eyes met mine, they reflected something soft. Pity.
“No, it’s fine,” I responded quickly.
He wassorry.
Sorry it happened.
Laryk leaned back in his chair and ran his hands through his copper locks. “But I do need to discuss something with you.” He cleared his throat.
“Should I be worried?” I lifted an eyebrow, breaking free from my unwanted thoughts.
“It’s nothing you should concern yourself with at the moment, but…” his voice trailed off, as if trying to find the right words. “I’m being dispatched to Stormshire tomorrow, and I don’t know how long I’ll be gone. It could be a few weeks, perhaps even a month. Maybe two.”
“Did something happen?” I straightened in the chair.
He was leaving…
He looked down and pursed his lips. After a moment, his eyes met mine again, deadly serious.
“I’ll need you to keep this conversation between us. I don’t want the entire Compound in a state of disarray.”
“You’re actually starting to scare me now. How bad is it?” I felt a tremble run down my spine. Worry for him churned through me, and I twisted in my seat, trying to get rid of it.
He was the General. He would be fine.
“Wraiths have found a way around our guards. We’ve since intensified the watchtowers across the border, so it shouldn’t happen again, but we have to proceed with extreme caution. I need to be there so that I can…” He looked away. “I need to be there to help. Mercer will be staying here. You all need to finish your training. It’s paramount that you all are ready for whatever is coming.”
I sat frozen, staring at him.
“Speak, please,” he stated flatly.
“So our individual training is paused indefinitely?” My voice sounded weaker than I would have liked.
Laryk’s eyes softened again. “Unfortunately. But I want you to keep practicing on your own. You’ve made such great progress.” He shifted as though he might move closer, but paused, finally dropping his hands into his lap.
“Is she going with you?” I couldn’t stop myself from asking. I had no right to know. But I wanted to.
“Who?” He asked, confusion peaking his brow.
