Page 170 of Unbound

"No thanks to you," Raith's hand finds mine, squeezing once in silent support. Through our tether, I feel his anger, his protectiveness, but also his restraint—a willingness to ultimately let me handle this how I see fit. "She's alive because she's a fucking badass who doesn't need your help. So don't try to pretend she owes you this."

I feel a swell of pride to hear Raith talk about me like that, but I do my best to tamp it down and focus on what matters right now. I know Raith doesn't like the idea, but Voss makes it sound like it could be an opportunity to get stronger.

"What exactly would we be looking for at this... place?" I ask, genuinely curious despite my reservations.

Something shifts in Voss's expression—hope? Relief? "A ruin. One that dates back to the time when unbound were... more common. I believe it contains information—perhaps even artifacts—that could help you better understand and control your abilities."

"And what do you get out of this?" I press.

Voss smiles, the expression not quite reaching his eyes. "I’ll be frank, Miss Thorne. I need you to access these ruins. It’s why I would prefer we enterbeforethe Crucible. Waiting could risk…”

Raith scoffs, shaking his head. “Un fucking believable. She’s just a key to you? So if she dies during the Crucible, you’ll be locked out of your precious ruins?”

“Wait…” I say. “Then help me. And I’ll help you. Find a way to make sure we survive the Crucible. If we live, I’ll go with you.”

A slow smile spreads across Voss’ mouth. “Clever, Miss Thorne. Very clever. There is… something I could do to improve the survival rate, perhaps. It will raise suspicions and draw the ire of the council, though. It won’t come without cost.”

I force myself to stay strong, voice firm. “If you want to make sure I’m alive to see those ruins, you’ll make sure everybody gets this protection in two days.

Disappointment flashes across Voss's face before his expression smooths. "Of course. Though I must emphasize how much less scrutiny there would be if we went tomorrow. What you’re asking will make it more difficult for me to travel freely for a time.”

"You have her answer," Raith says, rising from his seat. His hand finds the small of my back again, a gentle pressure guiding me to stand as well. "Is there anything else?"

Voss regards us for a long moment. "I suppose not. You’ve struck your bargain. There is a protective measure usually only granted to legacies… I believe I can extend it to all students this year without too much scrutiny. But remember what you’ve sworn here. Survive the Crucible, and you’ll help me enter the ruins. Yes?”

I nod my head, uneasiness swirling through my body. It feels like a victory, but somehow, I worry I’m not seeing everything.

Voss rises from his chair, moving around the desk to stand before us.

As we turn to leave, he calls after us. "Oh, and Miss Thorne? I wish you luck during the Crucible. I won’t be able to offer you complete safety. Only a slight improvement on your odds. So do prepare with diligence, hm?”

I nod once in acknowledgment before following Raith out, feeling Voss's gaze on my back all the way to the door.

We don't speak until we've descended the tower and found a secluded alcove away from curious ears. Typhon materializes fully, his diminished form hovering between us with evident agitation.

"I do not trust him,"Typhon declares.

Raith's expression is grim. "I don’t like it. There's no way in hell you're going with him to some mysterious ruin in the middle of nowhere."

"I need to do this. It might mean more information about who or what I am. It might teach me more about how to control my powers." I push off the wall, pacing the small space. "If there's even a chance?—"

"At what cost?" Raith asks quietly.

The question brings me up short. It makes me feel reckless for even considering this.

"I don't know," I admit finally. “But agreeing to go with him might have just saved countless lives. Isn’t that worth the risk?”

Raith leans his forehead against mine, eyes closed. He shakes his head slightly. “It should be. But it doesn’t feel worth it. Not to me. I wouldn’t trade you for a thousand lives, even if that makes me an asshole.”

“I won’t tell anyone if you don’t,” I say, biting the corner of my lip. “But it’s not as if Voss is a primal. He doesn’t know I have Typhon. If he thinks he can ambush me somehow or coerce me, Typhon will be there to protect me.”

“And so will I,” Raith says. “I’m following. Wherever he plans to take you.”

"We should talk to Bastian. He seemed to know something about Voss, or at least, his father does. Maybe he could give us an idea about what we’re walking into."

Raith's jaw tightens at the mention of Bastian, but he nods. "Fine. But not alone."

"Not alone," I agree, offering a small smile. "I'm starting to think you just like being around me, Hollow."

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