Page 82 of Unbound

All eyes turn to me, and heat floods my face like I've stuck my head in an oven.

Mireen covers a smile beside me. She knows I hate being called on in class. Ambrose just looks jealous as he lowers his raised hand. Beck is picking something out of his teeth, feet kicked up on the chair in front of him.

After a moment of hesitation, I say what I was already thinking in response to his question. "There's a river to the south. Water primals could use it to create enough fog to get earth and fire primals on top of the enemy before they knew what was coming. Earths could use the cover to raise a wall behind the enemy, then airs could could blast away the fog, letting the fires come in with clear view to destroy the enemy in close range.

Pilton's eyebrows rise slightly, his perpetual scowl easing. "Utilizing elemental strengths in combination. Not entirely without merit." From him, the gruff words are quite the compliment.

As attention shifts back to the front, I sense eyes still on me. I glance sideways to find Bastian watching from his seat among the legacies, his nearly white eyes thoughtful. He offers the slightest nod of approval before turning back to the lesson.

Malakai is watching me, too. Despite warnings that we're not supposed to openly kill one another, he hasn't stopped acting like the commander of a small force of elites within the water first-years. He sits surrounded by a small group of eight muscular, intimidating waters.

So far, he hasn't spoken to anyone about Typhon's true form that I know of, but I can feel the threat of his knowledge hanging over me daily. That, and the obvious possibility that he's going to find a moment when I least suspect it to come for me again. Or Raith.

As stupid and irrational as it is, the idea of him or Serena trying to hurt Raith again scares me more than them coming for myself.

"Foolish,"Typhon notes, as if my private thoughts are an open book meant for his commentary.

"Didn't ask,"I bite back.

When class ends, I gather my notes, watching as Beck and Ambrose argue animatedly about which of them was first to sleep with a fellow water affinity named Kali. Beck doesn't believe Ambrose even slept with her, but Ambrose is adamant he had her first.

Mireen rolls her eyes at me as she passes them, motioning that she'll meet me later at dinner.

"Interesting solution," a voice says at my shoulder.

I turn to find Bastian standing closer than I expected, his tall frame blocking the view of anyone behind us. Up close, he looks tired—fine lines at the corners of his eyes that weren't there before, a slight pallor beneath his tan.

"Just common sense," I reply, tucking my notes into my bag. "Use the tools you have."

"Like the book?" he asks, voice dropping so low I almost miss it.

I freeze. We haven't spoken in what feels like ages, let alone about the book. "It's been... educational."

His eyes search mine. "Found what you were looking for?"

"Not entirely." I glance around to ensure no one is within earshot. "I never properly thanked you. For the book, and for what you did during Confluence Day."

He gives a slight nod. "No thanks needed. We both got what we wanted."

"And what did you want, exactly?"

Bastian's smile doesn't reach his eyes. "To help, of course."

"Why?" I press. "Why go to such lengths for me?"

He's silent for a long moment. "What you are… dangerous or not, there are people who would value what you can become. And there are people who would see you destroyed before they took the risk of letting you grow. I've seen enough destruction for one lifetime."

I frown. "What does that mean?"

His gaze shifts, focusing on something over my shoulder. "You never did listen about him."

I don't need to turn to know who he's looking at. "Raith has been nothing but helpful."

"Has he?" Bastian's voice cools. "Almost every year, there are those who slip into Confluence under false pretenses. Those with dangerous intentions. Intentions that could harm Empire."

"And you think Raith is one of them?"

"I think there's more to him than meets the eye." He taps my notebook with one finger. "Just as there's more to you. Be careful who you trust with your secrets, Nessa."

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