Page 60 of Rising

“Well, if I leave, then I won’t be able to tell you that some locals trapped a bunch of the undead about fifteen miles out. Thirty of ‘em in the middle of some trench bullshit they built. Riley and I are heading out with a few guys to check it out.”

“And you waited untilnowto tell me this?”

“Well, Riley said it was protocol. Sent me to find you.” His expression was one of genuine confusion, not understanding my reaction.

Itwasprotocol, but I knew Riley was trying to force this working relationship between Alexiares and I that I’d already made clear I had no desire to make. He wasn’t one of us, never would be. He could get as close to Riley and Moe as he wanted, even be cordial with Seth. I wanted no parts, not after all the words we’d exchanged. Not after the remarks about my drinking, my mental health, the validity of my position. I was under no obligation to tolerate his presence any more than required to fulfill my duties.

“You believed him?” I questioned, deciding to double down just to mess with his head.

“How am I supposed to know? You’re impossible, and arrogant. Damn sure haven’t tried to work with any of his requests to include me in full training to do my job. I learn as I go, and Riley told me to go. And now,” he said, a cruel smirk passing over his lip. “I’ve learned, princess.”

He enjoyed the banter in a sick way. I understood his game.

Each time one of his words pierced my heart, he thrived. And I let him. Let his hurtful words bring me down. Let them make me feel like the dirt beneath my boots, because they reminded me of the words that often echoed around my head.

I don’t deserve to be happy.

* * *

I pushed the door open.It bounced off the wall, popping back and nearly hitting Alexiares in the face as he followed in my wake, just as I had intended. Riley grinned at me as he stood in the corner behind my desk in my study, knowing too well I’d seek him out here first in a blind rage.

“Seriously Riley, g—”

He cut me off, “I’ll just go ahead and go fuck myself. Now that that’s out the way, he went off with Seth. What’s the difference?”

I scoffed.“You’re not Seth, and Seth isn’t you. Damnit. You keep testing me, Riley! Pushing buttons that don’t need pushing. You used to always have my back.”

I didn’t give a damn that Alexiares had witnessed it all. He’d bore witness to the true war that raged within me, out on the rocks, the true battle that I faced.

His face softened, and he moved to meet me halfway across the room. “I hardly think you wanna do this here. I do have your back, sis. Always will.”

Alexiares cleared his throat awkwardly from the corner, making sure we were still aware he was here.

Riley ignored him. “That’s why I’m challenging you. You don’t treat people this way. You’re better than that Maia, this whole place was designed underyourideas.”

“Jax and Prescott’s,” I corrected.

“Yes them, but it wasyouthat was adamant about this being a home for those who didn’t belong anywhere else. A place that welcomed all.”

“I still want that.” My body softened under his reassuring touch.

“So then, what’s the difference between him and them? Him and me?”

It didn’t take long for Alexiares to give him the answer to that. He ate his words when I walked past my study the next day. I’d been following up with one of the Scholars on amplifications to some of the security measures I had planned for outside the wall. Promptly excusing myself due to incessant gagging noises beyond the door.

Only one person could slip through my locks with such ease.

“Man, what the hell.” Riley heaved between each word, jumping to the sound of The Pit now buzzing into the room.

I looked down on my desk, unpleasantly surprised to find 2x2 pieces of gray, cracked flesh touching the beautiful, dark wood desk I had grown to love. My jaw dropped, eyes darting to find the only savage soul I could think of that would think setting up a display of rotted flesh on someone’s personal property was okay.

Alexiares’ eyes flashed with mischievous intent as he grinned at me innocently. “Tah, duh.”

Closing the door to any onlooking eyes, I glared between Alexiares and Riley both.

“Proud of your judgment skills?” I asked Riley accusingly.

“Not necessarily.” He moved away from the desk and opened the door to my bedroom as if trying to create an extra sense of space between him and the flesh.

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