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“You should sleep,” Ninti replied.

“Here, you take the bed,” I said. “I’ll sleep on the deck.” We couldn’t share a bed, not after that. Our magnetism was dangerous, and sharing a sleeping space would practically invite a second attack.

“No, I couldn’t,” Ayla replied. “It’s your ship. I’ll sleep on the deck.”

“No, I will,” I insisted.

Ayla’s face firmed, growing stubborn.

Ninti looked from her to me. “How’s this—I can sleep on the deck, becoming large enough to be Ayla’s bed. I’ll keep her warm, keep her safe… and I’ll be ready. Just in case there is another attack.”

“Are you sure?” I asked. “I don’t mind—”

“That’s perfect,” Ayla interrupted. “Thanks, Ninti. I really appreciate it.”

Before I could object another time, she left the cabin, Ninti padding after her.

Ayla

I could have hurt him.

A part of mewantedto hurt him.

This part.I brushed the Brand. The same blemish that was supposed to guide us made me attack Zayne. It wanted to kill him, steal his ship, and drive us toward…somewhere.

It was for the best that I slept outside.

Ninti grew in size. Filling the bow of the boat, she curled up on her side.

“Careful!” Vanessa complained from the crow’s nest. “You’ll make the boat heavy.”

Gingerly, I found a place against her stomach, nestled between her paws. I shifted, fidgeting until I felt supported. I didn’t need a blanket; she warmed me.

“Oh, hi, Ayla,” Vanessa continued. “I guess this will work.”

“Just for the night,” I told her.I hope.

25 | Discerning Her Direction

Ayla

Nightmares interrupted my uneasy sleep. In countless creative ways, I relived my experience.

Gnomes surrounded me. They bounded on each other’s shoulders until I was trapped under a mound of them. They chanted, “Break the barrier.”

I looked up from a grave, swallowed by the earth. I was trapped in a clay jar, my body taken from me. Death was a leaden blanket holding me down.

Finally, I was in a strange barn. An ice-blue coffin at its center. Shades shoved me into it, pressing me down. They wanted me to freeze.

I woke with a shiver.

My tunic was damp with sweat, and I peeked down the neckline, checking my skin. The Brand remained a pinprick—I used to believe that was safe.

None of us had seen it coming. The Brand was sneaky, ready to pounce if it had the chance.

No wonder I had nightmares.

Ninti sighed, her gigantic stomach pressing and lifting beneath me. The sound of her breath, rhythmic and reliable, reminded me I wasn’t alone.