Page 44 of Fortress of Ambrose
“Magic is inmyhands. I fear nothing.” I block her view of my ribs.
“What side do you think your pretty little do-gooder will end up on if it gets ugly?”
“You assume you know the side she’s on now.”
Yani throws her head back in laughter. I’ve gotten all out of her that I can for now.
“I can’t make you any promises about what Willam is going to do with you. These people don’t like me much either. Be honest for once. Seewhere that gets you.” I gather her daggers to take them with me. I owe her nothing. But every person against Beaulah—if she’s honest—is an arrow in our quiver.
“I can help you and Quell if you give me a chance,” she says. “What is your plan with the Sphere’s magic?”
I start up the stairs.
“You and Quell will never work, you know.”
I climb faster.
“She’s too caring, and you’re rotten on the inside.”
“Wouldn’t you love that to be true.”
“You being rotten? I couldn’t care less.”
“I meant Quell and me.”
I know I’m rotten on the inside.
When I reach the ground floor, I secure the locks on the basement door, where Willam is waiting. I tell him everything Yani admitted about Audubon and Beaulah’s real intentions for sending her here, and give him her weapons. I leave out my cousin Adola’s alleged mark.
“Do you trust her?” he asks.
“Not for a second. Do you trust me a bit more now?”
“If I did, I wouldn’t tell you.” He indicates the den nearby, where Knox and Quell are sitting, waiting. He’s made his decision about whether I can stay. Quell and I meet eyes as I sit down beside her. Her expression doesn’t look promising.
Nineteen
Quell
Willam pulls the doors to the den closed. He and Knox have to understand everything depends on keeping magic safe. Jordan sits beside me on a love seat. The distance between us rattles my already-frayed nerves. Recklessly, I cross the bridge with my arm, running my fingertips across the cushion for a brief graze of his skin. His magic doesn’t disturb mine instantly. A fleeting moment of comforthasto be okay. But he shakes his head and doesn’t come closer.
Knox and Willam are across a coffee table from us with untouched drinks. Willam’s fingers drum on the table, and I can feel their thump in my chest. He isn’t going to let Jordan stay.
“I think it would be helpful to get a better understanding of what you want, Quell,” Knox says, jumping right in.
“WhatIwant?”
Jordan doesn’t look at me, and somehow that makes it easier to answer.
“I want my magic intact.”
“Are you only concerned for yourself in all this?” she asks.
After all I’ve been through, don’t I deserve to focus on me? Why is it my job to fix everyone’s burdens?“If I say yes, then what?”
“I just don’t believe Rhea’s daughter—” Willam starts.
Jordan’s grip tightens on the seat.
