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Thalia’s gaze traveled the same path mine had moments ago, studying Aleksander and the others, her eyes glazing over in thought. “None, thus far,” she admitted. “But his past destructions are reason enough to be wary.”

None, thus far.

My magic had woken him up, but nothing truly catastrophic had followed. Something strange was clearly happening between our powers whenever we were close to one another, however…what if it was the influence of my magic that was keeping his under control—and keeping it from wreaking havoc on this realm?

I wanted to vomit at the thought of being so intimately tied to him.

It couldn’t be true.

I tried to think back on all the magical lessons Orin had given me over the years, wishing I’d paid better attention to the knowledge he’d attempted to impart. All the different laws and attributes—there had to be an explanation for what was happening between Aleksander and me.

But I’d never been one to take notes on these things.

I’d always preferred to learn by doing, however painful and messy the practical trials ended up being.

And so, I decided it was time for an experiment.

Chapter Twelve

Nova

“I need to go for a walk.”

Thalia’s brows rose immediately in suspicion.

“My dog is…restless.”

Phantom lifted his head and cocked it briefly, curiously at me, but then he began to play the part without questioning it, hopping to his feet and spinning around in circles. He was acting, at first, until his tail actually swept across the tip of his nose—then I think he began chasing it in earnest.

I cleared my throat.

He stopped with his jaws opened wide, an instant from snapping his teeth around his tail. He read my unspoken command and then darted off down the hill.

“I’ll be right back,” I said, rushing after him.

I felt Thalia’s stare like a physical weight against the back of my neck. But whether because of confusion, curiosity, or mere indifference, she didn’t attempt to stop me.

I caught up with Phantom at the bottom of the hill. He started to slow, but I subtly encouraged him to keep running. I didn’t look back to see if any of the others were watching myretreat, not wanting to see the questions on their faces; I was already dealing with too many questions of my own.

We ran for several minutes, Phantom leading the way, before I slowed to a brisk walk to catch my breath.

He circled back at an easy lope. (Where are we going?)

“I’m not sure.” I wrapped my arms around myself, huddling against the cold, and walked faster. “Just…away. I’m testing something.”

Part of me wanted to simply keep running into the depths, regardless of what became of the things I left behind. It had been easier when it was just Phantom and me on this mad, impossible journey—or maybe I’d just gotten used to it only being the two of us on all our missions.

I supposedfamiliarandeasierfelt the same, sometimes.

“I want to see what happens when my magic isn’t near Aleksander, influencing whatever impact hispower might have on this realm,” I explained to Phantom.

I don’t know how far we traveled—over a mile, at least—before something finally happened: A trembling in the ground. Faint, but unmistakable. I watched as it rattled the rocks around my boots and sent little puffs of dirt into the air.

I stopped in my tracks, the heavy truth of the situation settling over me. Though the path ahead stretched wide and empty, it felt like I’d just had a massive iron gate slammed in my face.

Phantom must have felt it, too; he skidded to a stop and spun back toward the ones we’d left behind.

Holding my breath, I turned and looked back as well.