Page 14 of Fortress of Ambrose
“It’s a plan, then,” she says. “We get Knox, then link up with her safe house crew.” Quell turns. Deadly magic claws its way over my ribs up into my chest. I can feel more flesh withering away, but I tighten my coat around myself and follow the girl I’m not worthy of.
I will save her, even if it’s the death of me.
Seven
Nore
Nore’s bones rattled with panic. She wasn’t sure why she grabbed the blade. She didn’t want to fight with Yagrin. She didn’t want this at all.
Yagrin’s eyes swirled with suspicion. But she knew he was always more frustrated than angry.
“If you’ve lied about your intentions—”
“Yagrin! Stop.” Her cheeks flushed. She lowered her arm. “I would never hurt you.”
Yagrin’s expression cinched, his eyes narrowing.
“Ellery has our mother imprisoned for all I know. If I could rescue her from him myself, I would have done it. I need your help. And I’m helping you in exchange.”
“Then what was that back there? I asked you to help. I meantmagic.” The lines of his face deepened.
She could practically hear the wheels of his mind turning, questioning whether she was trustworthy, assessing whether he’d have to kill her. She tucked the blade away. “I got scared. Okay? I’m sorry.”
He glared.
“Stop looking at me that way. I had amoment. Am Ialloweda moment?”
A war wrestled in her chest. Nore wanted to tell him the truth, that shewas Red. She wanted to believe that he would forgive her for lying and making up an entire existence. That his love for Red—for her—would outweigh any betrayal.
Telling him the truth was futile. Yagrin’s favorite hobby was holding grudges! And he had one against the Order in a death grip. He would never forgive her if he knew. He’d never believe her feelings for him were ever real.
He wet his bottom lip before tucking it. Her neck heated. She knew what was coming.
“You’re lying to me.”
Nore put on her best incredulous tone. “I’ve done nothing but help you!” Her voice cracked. And it made her feel naked.
She dated him as Red for months. She should be able to lie to him better. But as Red, it was different. She didn’t look like herself. She could make up new mannerisms. Red chewed her nails. Nore didn’t. She’d started the disgusting habit to create distance between her and her persona. Red was sassy and didn’t care what people thought. Nore was terrified people would see deeply into her. She wanted to be more like Red. She wasn’t exactly the mousy daughter she was under her mother’s care. But she wasn’t the person she wanted to be either. She was some mixed version of two people—brave one moment, a coward the next. Sure of herself until someone stared at her too long. She clenched her fists but bit her tongue.
She couldn’t shatter his heart or her owna second time.
She forced the lump in her throat down and exhaled. She had to sell this act better than she ever had. He could never find out. Ever.
“We’re wasting time,” she said. “I’m sorry I didn’t think to try magic. Next time, I’ll be there.”
Yagrin hadn’t moved. His dark amber eyes tore into her as he said, “Show me your magic now.”
She stopped breathing.
He folded his arms.
“I was trained as a Cultivator. And we don’t have any rings.”
“That’s what you’re forced to study. Your natural magic is something else.”
Shit. He’s read about me.Nore couldn’t keep straight the lies her mother kept feeding theDaily. She couldn’t remember what she’d told them she liked to do magically. All she remembered was that heirs were Cultivators and they used rings to augment magic in others. She opened her mouth, but words wouldn’t come out.
“You don’t have magic.” His gaze widened.
