Page 109 of The Stone Secret
For the first time since this fiasco started, I feel as if I might be able to take a breath. “Let’s head back and tell Cameron.”
“No!” Prasan says quickly. “Best to keep this between us. The traitor could be anyone.”
“A cadet?” Orix snorts. “No cadet has that much clout.”
“Maybe not,” Selas says, “but they might be working with or for someone. Prasan is right. We keep this to ourselves and Willowman. No one else.”
Anything to keep Cameron safe. “Agreed.”
CHAPTER45
CAM
Dawn was less than an hour away when we sat down in the kitchen for a bite to eat. Yarrow and Levi were still with Derek. They’d shooed us off with instructions to get some food.
I’d wanted to stay, but Levi reminded me that if I wasn’t fueled up and recharged, it would make it harder for Derek to heal.
The dorm was quiet now. The hubbub following the field trip was over, although I doubted the cadets would stop speculating on what had happened. Everyone had seen the wraiths go after me. They’d draw their conclusions.
The mood was tense, and we ate in silence, even though I doubted that any of us felt hungry.
“I wonder if the elite are back,” Palia said.
“If not, then you stay with us,” Curi said.
Leaving Derek wasn’t an option, security be damned. “I’m not going back there tonight anyway. I’m staying here with Derek.”
“No,” Sharniza said. “You’re safest at the observatory. They wanted you there for a reason.”
Annoyance pricked at my senses. “I’m not leaving Derek alone overnight. Not when he’s like this.”
He’d risked his life for me. And yes, some might say that was his purpose, but he was more than a shield. He was a person. With choices. He could havechosento save himself, but he didn’t. He chose me. I wouldn’t abandon him now. I couldn’t. I loved him. He was home. My first family.
Levi entered the room looking weary. His dark hair was ruffled as if he’d been running his hands through it in agitation. “We’re moving Derek to Yarrow’s quarters.”
“What? Why?” Shar asked before I could. “Has he gotten worse?”
“No. But Yarrow’s residences are filled with healing crystals, and he feels the tincture will work better in that environment.”
“Fine.” I pushed back my chair. “Let’s go.”
“No, Cameron. You need to go back to the observatory. I’m sure Mason will be happy to walk you.”
“What? No. I want to stay with Derek.”
“What you want isn’t important here. What Derek needs is. The healing crystals need to be focused on his injuries, not yours.”
My being there would split their focus? “I understand, but I’m not sure how comfortable Derek is with Yarrow. I mean, I’m not sure if—”
“I’ll go with him,” Shar said. “I’ll stay by his side.”
Her offer brought a rush of relief. “Thank you.”
“Grab your things then, Aziza, we’re leaving now.”
Shar followed him out of the room, and I sagged in my seat.
“It’ll be okay,” Touron said. “Willowman will be back before the cadet exams, and he’ll fix Derek, and everything will be okay.”
