Page 51 of The Stone Curse
And why did that give me the warm fuzzies? “I should…I should go. We have a long drive ahead of us.”
“Yes. I suppose you do. I’ll see you after the trials. We’ll have a lot to plan.”
His confidence that I’d pass meant the world, and I walked back to my friends feeling lighter than I had in days.
I was ready to focus. Ready to mind walk until my spectral feet ached.
I may have lost Serath, but I’d be damned if I lost anyone else.
CHAPTER 20
The mind walk in the van was a bust because my mind was too busy going over everything that had happened on the trip. My dream of Serath, the fever, the coincidence with the park bench and my father’s hopes for me.
Curi and Shar seemed to manage it fine, but both were silent and reflective for the rest of the journey, so it was a quiet bunch who returned to the academy.
It was almost eight in the evening by the time we strolled into the elite tower, and we were all too wiped to cook, so Derek and Touron headed to Stone Comfort to grab pizza.
I showered and changed into a baggy T-shirt and leggings and slipped on my lastonflex shoes before heading down to join the others for supper. I had a lot to do before I could wind down for the evening, but my stomach grumbled incessantly, reminding me that food had to come first.
Five large pizza boxes were laid out on the kitchen island, open to showcase the variety of piping hot, cheesy goodness. Derek handed me a plate, which I loaded up before joining everyone at the table.
Curi patted the spot beside him, and I slipped into the seat, mouth already filled with deliciousness.
We ate in silence for several minutes, and I noted that even Derek had a slice. Shar watched him, hiding the hearts in her eyes. She had it bad. But I understood why she was holding back, although I doubted they’d be able to keep from professing their feelings for much longer. The way Derek had stood up for her in Arcadia…the look they’d shared…A weight settled on my heart—a reminder of what I’d lost. The fact that I’d never again feel the flutter low in my belly or the heat spread across my chest and up my neck. I’d never experience the agony of longing to touch someone. Having Serath here but not being able tobewith him had been painful, but…but there’d been comfort in that pain. A rightness that was now absent.
I was alone.
I’d always be alone.
“Cam?” Curi was looking at me, brows drawn. “Hey…” He reached up to gently wipe a finger across my cheek.
I blinked, dislodging more tears. “Shit. I’m sorry.” I wiped at my face. “Just tired.”
“Yeah, it’s been a long day.”
The look on his face told me he didn’t buy it, and my stupid eyes heated.
“I think we should watch a movie later,” Ginia said quickly. “To unwind. Popcorn and snacks. Ice cream!” She clapped her hands.
“Excellent idea,” Palia replied, her gaze stoically on Ginia.
And suddenly everyone was looking at Ginia and discussing movie options, taking the attention off me completely and giving me the moment I needed to pull myself together.
The only person that didn’t engage was Touron. He watched me solemnly from across the table.
“What do you think, Touron?” Ginia asked him.
He smiled, but it didn’t reach his eyes. “Sure, whatever.”
Wait…Touron had gone to see Selas? He must have, and now he was all subdued, which meant it hadn’t gone well. Orix must have taken him over…
Once again, I’d been so caught up in my own emotions…No. I wouldn’t be that person. I wouldn’t allow grief to make me selfish. “I need to pop in and see Yarrow. You wanna come with me, Touron?”
His forehead wrinkled, and he dropped his gaze, and for a moment I thought he was going to refuse, but then he nodded. “Sure.”
“Can you pick up Taz for me?” Orix asked.
“You mean, can I ask him to come back with me?”
