Page 111 of The Call of Crimson
“Don’t leave me in the dark, Princess. Secrets got us into this mess,” I lean over in my chair until I’m right next to her ear.“What did Ayden mean when he said you have some of your own?”
She shivers at the slight brush of my fingers along her skin as I trail them up her arm.
“Yoursecrets got us into this mess.” Pulling away, she shoots me a venomous look that quickly fades to indifference. “Thank the gods I’m capable of learning from others’ mistakes, so I’ll tell you.”
I don’t bother telling her that it wasn’t just my secrets, letting her continue instead.
“Ayden figured out my second Gift—astral projection.”
I tilt my head, studying her and trying to come up with any instance where I had seen her use this ability. “How were you able to keep this from me?”
“Easily,” she snorts. “I’ve never used it in front of you. Only Elijah and Jade have seen me, the others are dead.”
“The others being your parents?”
Her eyes drop to the floor momentarily. “Yes.”
“Why don’t you use it?”
“Because I’m awful at it.” She shrugs, the motion stiff. “There’s really not much use for it.”
My brow furrows. “I don’t believe that. You had one of the best teachers available.”
“Except I didn’t,” she sighs. “It didn’t manifest until a few years ago.”
“Ah,” I say, all the pieces finally clicking together. “And what about the other secret?”
Her head tilts slightly, auburn brows raised in confusion. “What other secret?”
“The one that explains how you’re talking to Elijah in the middle of the night from a kingdom away.”
“Oh, that.” She shrugs. “That’s technically notmysecret. Elijah has a secondary Gift that allows others to look through his eyes and hear through his ears.”
That certainly explained a lot.
Ayden’s attention shifts back to us, whatever conversation he was having clearly over.
“Do you know why Lennox and Meloria would be waging coordinated attacks on Rimor’s northern and eastern borders?” Breyla asks.
“You’re sure it was Lennox and Meloria?” I breathe, heart sinking in my chest.
“Rimor’s borders were attacked simultaneously tonight. Caedel burns as we speak. Jade evacuated the city to protect…” her voice waivers, “the surviving citizens.”
“There were casualties?” I ask, not really wanting the answer.
Her shoulders fall. “Yes.”
Dread fills my veins. “Are there reports of attacks on Pelanor?”
“Not that I’ve heard.”
Relief washes over me for my parents. “Thank the gods,” I whisper.
Breyla turns her attention back to Ayden. “Answer the question.”
“I have theories, but I don’t know anything for sure.”
“Truth,” I say right as Breyla snaps, “Not good enough. I need real answers.”
