Chapter 58
Fifty-eight
Zellie
Days have passed, and Jada and Elio still haven’t returned.
Brinn has been flitting in and out while Seb remains glued to the screens, watching the Kosmos’ every move.
Apparently, they think it’s a good time to host another ball.
They’re likely trying to boost morale within the city after tearing it apart looking for the prophecy, while it had sat unbeknownst to them below their precious thrones the entire time.
I’m not sure if it’s the energy shift I felt the other day, but something has shifted.
The air is different—something lingering, hungry, and ready. Or maybe that’s us.
Lando sits at the table, inspecting the latest batch of weapons the armory has forged.
Long swords, daggers, and arrows made of the combined moonstone and celestite glimmer in shades of the palest blue.
They’re beautiful and lethal, humming with a dangerous energy the others are seemingly unaware of.
Orion sits with an ankle resting on his knee, relaxed and observant.
Leo’s wandered back above to keep up appearances, and me… well, I continue to sit and wait.
I reach to grab one but stop when I hear Orion’s quick inhale. Giving him the side-eye, I grab the handle of the dagger, examining the weapon up close. It pulses in my palm, the energy vibrating through the handle. “I am fond of daggers.”
“Just be careful—”
I hiss as my finger tests the blade, a burning sensation radiating through the pad of my finger. “Okay, can’t touch it. Noted.”
Orion huffs, his glare as sharp as the whittled stone. I’m not an idiot—I was only testing it. I test the weight of the weapon in my hand, turning it every which way to get a feel for it. Lando moves a sword aside, moving on to the next blade for inspection.
“This ball is our opportunity,” Lando breaks the easy silence we’ve settled into.
“How? Jada and Elio aren’t even back yet—”
“We can’t sit around forever just waiting for them and some mythical dawnfire.”
“According to the prophecy, she and that dawnfire are going to be exactly what we need.”
Lando slams the dagger he was examining down on the tabletop. “Do you have to get into a pissing match with every single person you meet?”
Orion uncrosses his legs, letting out a warning, “Lando—”
“No, I’m serious. It’s not you against the world, Zellie. Other people have good ideas, too.”
I take a deep breath, willing myself to ignore his jabs. We’re all a team. “I’m well aware of the positive contributions to this movement. This isn’t one of them.”
“I disagree.”
“Now would be a lovely time for anyone else to chime in with their thoughts,” I say, pointedly glaring at Orion. He throws his hands up with his mouth remaining shut.
Without looking up from the screens, Seb adds, “It’s the perfect time to make a move. Give the people hope after so many of their homes and businesses were destroyed. They’ll be unsuspecting—”
“Or fully anticipating us showing up. What if it’s a trap?” Anxiety rears its ugly head within me, the trauma remembering the last trap we fell into.
“It’s not a trap. They’re trying to save face with the people. Get them back on their side.” Leo stands in the doorway with his arms crossed. How the fuck does he manage to creep on us like this every time?
“I really don’t think it’s a good idea for us to walk into their lair.”
“This isn’t like last time. We’ll prepare better, and we’ll take more people with us. He’s stopped paying attention to the portals, he’s as unhinged as yo—”
Finally, I snap, Lando’s condescending tone wearing my limits too thin.
I shove myself up from the table, pointing one finger in his direction.
“If you value your life, you won’t finish that sentence.
I don’t give a fuck if you’re Orion’s friend or not.
It’s easy for you to say it isn’t like the last time, but you weren’t the one who was fucking tortured for weeks. ”
Orion finally finds his voice, attempting to negotiate and ease some of the rising tension. “The ball is in four days. We give Jada and Elio two. If they’re not back, we plan without them.”
“There is no point in rushing and making foolish moves.”
Orion’s eyes plead with me. “Every moment we wait is another that they can use to their advantage. To harm us. To manipulate. To further their reach and control.” Fuck—he’s right.
“Fine. Two days.” I rise from the table, needing to be away from the group through my swell of emotions. I brush past Leo, rushing for the quiet comfort of my alcove and cot. Please hurry, Jay.