Page 258 of Midnights
“Okay,” is the only thing I can think of to say. Because if I stop moving, if I let myself think too hard, I might actually unravel. I haven’t allowed myself to think too hard about everything that's happened yet, and I know I need to. But it’s easier to compartmentalize than to unravel the shitstorm that is my life right now. Is that the healthiest option, probably not. But absolutely necessary for the time being.
Until I find out more, I can't afford to freak out.
I take in my surroundings as we walk through the halls, trying to commit everything to memory. The place is unlike anywhere I've ever been. It's practically a maze, but it's stunning. And yet, there’s something about it that feels oddly familiar. Not in a way I can place, but whatever it is, feels out of reach.
Cam's voice pulls me back to the present. “There’s so much to tell you, but I’m not sure where to start,” he says thoughtfully. At least that's genuine. “You definitely have magic, that much is obvious. Even while you were asleep, we had a fewsituations.”
I nod, remembering the hushed voices and the storms bleeding through my consciousness. But I keep that to myself.
“Am I going to be allowed to leave?” My voice is barely above a whisper. The thought of being stuck here makes me want to throw up. And honestly, depending on his answer, I might have to come up with an escape plan.God, I hope it doesn't come to that.
Cam stops walking, and turns to face me. His hands settle lightly on my shoulders. “Of course you can leave. You’re not a prisoner here. I just want to make sure you’re safe while we figure out what's happening with you.”
The tension in my chest loosens just a little. I know he’s keeping things from me, but the sincerity in his tone makes me believe he’s telling the truth. “Okay,” I nod, but the nervous knot in my stomach lingers. “I just… I don’t want to be trapped here.”
“You’re not trapped,” he says gently. “There’s so much you need to know. So much youdeserveto understand about yourself, and about your magic. I promise, we're here to help you.”
I search his face for any trace of deception, but all I find is quiet sincerity. The nervousness doesn’t vanish, but something else settles in alongside it. There’s a flicker of hope, but I don’t want to give it life just yet.
“Alright,” I sigh, taking a deep breath. “I’ll stay.For now. But I need answers, Cam. I need to understand what the hell is going on.” My voice wavers, but I force a smile. “And I'll try my best not to freak out again.”
He chuckles, giving my shoulders a light squeeze. “One step at a time, okay?” He winks before turning on his heel. “Come on.”
I hesitate for a second before I follow him, realizing I don't have much of a choice, since I have no idea where I am. And I don’t really feel like wandering aimlessly through a place I’ve never been. Especially since he said I’m safest with someone. That I believe. I’ll do my sneaking at night, when I can hide a little better.
So far, we’ve walked through endless hallways, turned a few corners, and much to my surprise, entered more hallways that look just as annoyingly gorgeous as the last. The entire place feels like something out of a fairytale, except this one doesn’t stay neatly on the pages of a book. This one breathes. People live here.
And I thought Kane's was big.
Cam laughs so suddenly, I nearly jump out of my skin.
“What’s so funny?”
“Nothing.” He grins, “It’s kind ofadorable, watching you try to take it all in.”
I snort, unimpressed. “Oh, so I’m just your entertainment for the day? You’re welcome, I guess.”
“Well, pretty much.” he admits without hesitation.
I roll my eyes but can’t stop the small smile tugging at my lips. “I can't believe you haveelectricityhere.”
He bursts out laughing, holding his chest like I’ve just said the most hysterical thing he’s ever heard.
“Raven,” he wheezes between chuckles, “we aren’tcavemen. And, we’ve actually had it longer, considering we were the ones who showed you guys how to use it.”
I shoot him a look. That is definitely something I want to know more about. There are so many things I want to ask him right now. “I don’t know what I expected, but I guess I imagined more… candles and ominous firelight.”
“That’s still the vibe in some places,” he concedes with a shrug. “But no, we like to keep the best of both worlds.”
The more we walk, the more questions I get to ask. And shockingly he answers most of them. I've learned how Nveri functions, I have a list of all the food I have to try, and what to expect in town.
For a few minutes, it almost feels normal. Just two people talking. No magic, no apocalyptic-level revelations, no storms outside my window, and shockingly, no one trying to kill me.
Chapter 44
I Do it All the Time
Raven
