Page 152 of Forsaken Secrets

"I believe you'll find it useful in your new position with the Science Division," she said, bringing me back to the present. "We wouldn't want anyone else stumbling on your little … secret."

She knew?

Mind racing, I dipped my head. "Thank you, my lady. That was very generous of you, but I never agreed to work for them."

Cautiously, I slipped it back onto my finger, the familiar coolness settling over me like a blanket. A blanket restricting my magic …

She laughed merrily. "Oh, no. You're right. I just assumed … well, I might be jumping ahead of myself. This has all moved rather fast. I just — I felt such kinship between us and I assumed you understood."

I shook my head in confusion. This woman made no sense!

"Kaiya." She smoothed her skirts around her. "May I call you that?"

I nodded.

"As I said … you remind me so much of myself." She held her fingers up and ticked them off one by one. "Works best alone. Strong. Independent. Well aware that the only person one can trust is oneself. The Science Division is perfect for you! You'll work alone whenever you'd like and it will provide everything you need for both you and your aunt. What more could you ask for?"

I grimaced. She was right, of course, but it hadn't always been that way. I'd enjoyed those days with Eli and Lynk. For a bit, I'd thought that I might be part of something bigger than myself — a team. But they'd lied to me, and it had resulted in everything falling apart.

"I've given you a job with our team and I think you'll like it, if you just give it a try. There are some wonderful creatures out to the west, and I'd love your help in finding and taming them. Plus, there are some ruins nearby that I think might fascinate you, and we can always use new relics."

My heart ached as I looked between her and Aunt Grace.

"I can't leave her," I said, whispering.

She just chuckled. "I've already hired a very handsome someone to help her adjust to her new life, so she will not be alone."

I swallowed hard and looked at my aunt. She'd be happy if she heard this. I knew it. If Lady Frexin was telling the truth, it meant we finally had everything we wanted.

It just sounded so lonely now.

But like she said, I was better off that way. No one to hurt, and no one to hurt me. My back still ached from Lynk's betrayal.

Besides, this was a new adventure! And hadn't I always dreamed of adventures?

I pasted on a smile and held my hand out. "Thank you, Lady Frexin. When do we begin?"

---